Welcome to Australia!

As you arrive in our beautiful country, I can’t help but to reflect on my own journey as I began my life?in Australia thirty five years ago. When I was four years old, my family flew to Adelaide as refugees from Iran. Bahá'í's have long been persecuted in Iran and my family (and thousands of others) had escaped via Pakistan.

You may experience culture shock for many years and learn to live a new life. Choices that were hidden and dangerous back home are acceptable and often celebrated here. You will retain some of your own values and adopt some others. It may take some time to calibrate; take your time with this, moderation is best.

You will speak in a thick accent with bravery and strength as you watch your children become more fluent in English than Farsi or Dari. They will translate for you at doctor’s appointments, school appointments and basically everywhere. Don't be embarrassed by this, it helps them retain their native tongue. You may tire of spelling or pronouncing your name and quickly learn to change your exotic name, that's proven difficult to pronounce, to a mono-syllabic name, like 'Fred' or ‘Frank’ (shout out to my uncles). Your children may take their beautiful native names that you gave them and change them as they quickly come to learn that it sounds too familiar to something with which they don't care to be connected. They are not losing their culture, they are simply choosing the people with whom they share their full name. It will be an icebreaker for you as you learn that most people are endeared by the mystiques of the Middle East (#persianprincess) and fascinated by your journey. You may be called to comment on international affairs in that region from time to time.

Your children will watch you sacrifice so much for them that they will grow to honour you well into your old age. You may struggle and so might your children at times. As hard as you try, you may think in your native language and your meaning may be lost in translation. This may be frustrating but please keep trying. I would go to language classes with my grandma as a child and have very fond memories of everyone laughing at themselves and each other. These are moments for your loved ones to enjoy.

You or your children may be subjected to the occasional racial slur, even if you’re not aware of it. Just know that the majority of Australians are tolerant and compassionate. In time, your children may be reminded of their minority status, but they may learn to utilise opportunities available to them for the diversity they bring to different environments.

They will love this country and appreciate it every day. For the people that have landed in Adelaide, you will note people from other states may mock the city. This is playful banter, they don't mean it. This attitude escalates when the enamoured Australian football is in season. Sport is very important here and the team you support is a common query so it might be easier to just pick a team. I still don't have a team.

Your children will grow up with a decent education, a slightly British accent and easy access to beaches and mountains. They will have a bright future, full of challenges and achievements.

You will have two homes. You may miss your relatives and friends that you left behind and do what you can to support them. It may feel like it’s never enough. There are networks here to support you but you may still have to work hard, doing whatever you can to build a life for yourselves.

You may smile to yourself as people critique governments, knowing how blessed we are to have the opportunity to live a life bereft of constant oppression and fear.

Coming here is the best decision my parents ever made. In many respects it was made for them, but they have never regretted it. I thank them for it and hope that your children will also thank you.

Please reach out if I can help.

Love,

Mandy (Mandana)