The Documentary Podcast Iranians in London
Mar 7, 2026
Rahah, an Iranian who moved to the UK to study and has lived there for years, reflects on leaving Iran and studying abroad as a pathway out. Short conversations cover fears for family during airstrikes, enduring survivor’s guilt, nostalgia for home expressed through food, and hopes for Iran’s future. Warm dinner scenes and community resilience weave through the discussion.
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How Exiles Perceive Iran's Rapid Social Change
- Long-term expatriates notice Iran has changed dramatically over decades.
- Erfan contrasts the Iran he lived in for 25 years with the present, saying women without hijab on streets was unimaginable before.
Survivor's Guilt Is Central To The Exile Experience
- Many exiles feel intense survivor's guilt when family remain in Iran during crises.
- Raha says exiles try to 'convince your nervous system' they are safe while sharing emotional rollercoasters with loved ones back home.
Traditional Dishes Recreate Home For Iranians Abroad
- Food is a powerful connector for memory and identity among exiles.
- Reza lists Kashgar Bademjan, Mastakhiyar, mirza ghassami and salad olivia as staples that recreate a sense of home in London.