A Young Woman’s Pursuit of Education and Brighter Future in Australia

Umpiem Mai, Thailand – For 21-year-old Aye Win [name changed to protect her identity], life in temporary shelter is all she has known. Born in Umpiem temporary shelter, which hosts over 11,000 refugees* in north-western Thailand, the makeshift homes and narrow pathways have defined her entire world. Her surroundings, however, did not deter Aye Win and she never gave up on her dream of a future beyond her current confines - one where education would pave the way toward a better life.  

Financial hardship, limited access to education and a lack of exposure to the outside world are part of everyday reality for those in temporary shelter. For Aye Win, growing up in a family with many siblings, these challenges were compounded by constant competition for resources and attention.  

“I have ten siblings, and sometimes, as a middle child, I felt lost,” Aye Win shares. “There were moments I felt my parents did not love or care about me as they couldn’t afford to send me to school. This was not true, though, of course.” 

“I have always been eager to learn and really wanted an education,” she notes with deep reflection on her life.  

Determined to continue her studies, Aye Win left her home and moved to Mae La temporary shelter, situated 150 km away, to pursue a two-year high school program. The transition was difficult - living away from her parents, relying on the kindness of others for food and shelter and navigating an unfamiliar environment. Yet, even amidst these hardships, Aye Win discovered unexpected opportunities for growth and learning. 

“I learned important life skills like how to interact with new people, make friends and most importantly, be independent,” she recalls. “It was tough, but it shaped me into who I am today.” 

Aye Win’s perseverance and resilience paid off. She not only completed her high school education but also gained valuable skills that would help her adapt to life beyond the camp.  

Now, as she prepares to resettle with her parents and siblings in Australia, she sees a future filled with opportunities for further education. 

For Aye Win, education is not just about herself; it is a means of supporting and uplifting entire communities.  

“Studying in Australia will give me access to international education, allowing me to help my family and community,” she says.  

She understands firsthand the struggles that many young refugees face, including feelings of isolation, uncertainty and the fear that their dreams may never be realized. This has strengthened her resolve to support youth who find themselves in similar situations.  

"I want to be a voice for young people who feel invisible," she says. "I want them to know that no matter where they come from or what they have been through, they have the power to shape their own futures." 

"Many young people living in the temporary shelter feel stuck in a limbo," she explains with anecdotes from her personal experiences. 

“I have felt it myself, many times. Life can appear very overwhelming, making you feel small and question everything.  But I refused to let it define me. I have seen when young people struggle to cope and give up, it could sometime destroy their lives,” Aye Win shares the lesson she learned about how the choices we make can shape our entire future.  

“I clung to my belief that things will get better. Not every day will be the same. Today will pass and tomorrow will bring new hopes and opportunities. We just need to keep pushing forward."  

“Even in the camp, even with limited resources, there are ways to learn and grow. The internet, a phone, anything could be a window to the world.  All you need is to keep an open mind and be willing to seek out those opportunities.” 

Her experiences of living in temporary shelter and seeing how trauma affected her fellow refugees, including her parents, have inspired her to pursue a career in psychology and counseling. She hopes to help individuals, especially youth, cope with challenges and mental health struggles. 

Resettling to Australia offers a gateway for her to pursue her dreams and aspirations. 

While excited about the future, the long-haul journey ahead is not without its anxieties.  

“I haven't never been close to a real airplane in my whole life,” Aye Win shares. “I have only seen them in videos and movies. I don’t know how my body will react when we are flying, and I am nervous of doing something wrong at the airport.” 

To help ease these and other anxieties for refugees and humanitarian program entrants who are preparing for a new life in Australia, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been facilitating the Australian Cultural Orientation (AUSCO) program across the globe. AUSCO has been delivered on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, equipping humanitarian program stream visa-holders with essential knowledge about life in Australia. 

Established in 2003, the IOM facilitated AUSCO program has reached more than 148,000 individuals through classes in 15 countries with permanent delivery sites and over 50 countries where orientation has been implemented irregularly and as required. The training aims to provide accurate information on departure processes and offers insights into settlement services support available following their arrival in Australia. The course presents a realistic picture of life in Australia, encourages English language learning and equips participants with the skills and tools needed for self-agency, self-efficacy and successful adaptation. 

“Each participant, like Aye Win, who steps into an AUSCO course has their own unique story and aspirations,” highlights Constanze Voelkel-Hutchison, IOM’s Global Coordinator for AUSCO. “Our goal is not only to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate their resettlement and to rebuild their lives in Australia, but also to make them feel confident and empowered as they begin this new chapter in their life journey." 

“All the topics were important to me,” Aye Win expresses. “I learned about what to expect during the journey, what to pack, and how to handle challenges. It’s all new to me, but I feel more prepared now.” 

“I really appreciate the way the trainers have been teaching and engaging us. Being a youth, I really like the engaging way of role-playing exercise to understand the do’s and don’ts.” 

"For example, like the packing exercise, if we haven't gone through this training, we would have tried to bring everything. But now we understand things we can bring, what we can’t, but also the reason behind these rules, so we can prepare ourselves."   

As Aye Win looks ahead to embark on this new chapter, she carries not only her dreams but also the hopes of many others like her. Fueled by her passion for education and to give back to her community, she is determined to break gender norms and barriers and create a brighter future filled with opportunity and purpose. 

“I want to make my parents proud and support them - not just financially, but with my education and skills.” 

*UNHCR data as of January 2024 

This initiative was made possible with support from the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs. 

This story was written by Anushma Shrestha, Media and Communications Officer at IOM Thailand.