Refugee Week

During Refugee Week, students from Kogarah Intensive English Centre attended a special lunchtime Q & A session at Hurstville Library, hosted by foreign correspondent Melinda Ham and author of The Lucky Ones: Stories of Australian Refugee Journeys. They heard first hand refugee stories from the two panelist, Saada and Veronica from Palestine and Ukraine respectively.

Veronika, armed with only her passport and sheer determination, 15-year-old Veronika jumped on an evacuation train from Ukraine to Poland, eventually making her way to Australia in 2022. After attending classes to learn English at Kogarah Intensive English Centre, Veronika went on to enrol in University, studying for a bachelor's in computer science and securing employment with a local IT company. As an ex-KIEC student, Veronica's story resonated with the students, as she described how she commenced her studies without any English.

Saadou arrived in Australia from Palestine last year. Saadou is a Lecturer at the University of Palestine Dental College in Gaza, holding a speciality in periodontology and Aesthetic Dentistry. He described how he has needed to adapt his life and the sacrifices he has made to bring his family to safety.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and some lucky students won book prizes.

The session ended with a peaceful sound bath offering time to pause and reflect.