1. Life Experience By Maryam Marqos

2. Where did I come from? I came from Greece but I am originally from Iraq. I came from Greece but I am originally from Iraq. Left Iraq when I was 10 Years old. Left Iraq when I was 10 Years old. Lived in Greece for three years. Lived in Greece for three years. We came to Australia by applying for a refugee visa through immigration. We came to Australia by applying for a refugee visa through immigration. No school for three years No school for three years When i came to Australia in 2002, I was 14 years old. When i came to Australia in 2002, I was 14 years old.

3. Back in my country what study did I complete? Grade 5 Grade 5 Basic English taught in this Grade. Basic English taught in this Grade. Back in my country, I hated the English subject because teachers used the tough way to make us learn Back in my country, I hated the English subject because teachers used the tough way to make us learn

4. Back in my country what were the opportunities in study and employment Limited opportunities in study and employment. Limited opportunities in study and employment. No support from government No support from government Payment upfront to go into university or TAFE. Payment upfront to go into university or TAFE. No government support. No government support. Difficult to work and study if you have a big family. Difficult to work and study if you have a big family.

5. What did I want to become when I grew up in my country? During my Education time in Iraq i was young and hated study During my Education time in Iraq i was young and hated study I never thought of what to become I never thought of what to become class captain for 5 years back in my country. class captain for 5 years back in my country. Leading role due to tough personality Leading role due to tough personality Took teacher role many times in helping students with their study Took teacher role many times in helping students with their study

6. What did I study first when I came to Australia? Language centre Language centre High school High school TAFE TAFE It’s a clear study pathway but are the struggling moments in my life. It’s a clear study pathway but are the struggling moments in my life.

7. What influenced my decision to choose my career? I like to taking risk I like to taking risk I liked the legal study subject I liked the legal study subject To prove to my community and myself that in Australia if a person fights for what they want they can make their dream come true and reach their career goal To prove to my community and myself that in Australia if a person fights for what they want they can make their dream come true and reach their career goal

8. What does my community think about education? Education is important Education is important Advice their children to study and be educated Advice their children to study and be educated Many parents don’t get the opportunity to study so they work hard to lead their kids to be educated in their life Many parents don’t get the opportunity to study so they work hard to lead their kids to be educated in their life Make their kids study to find good jobs and be comfortable in their life Make their kids study to find good jobs and be comfortable in their life Not to suffer in working in non-skilled jobs. Not to suffer in working in non-skilled jobs. Be proud of their kids Be proud of their kids Some parents do not interfere with their children’s future therefore their children tend to leave school and start work. Some parents do not interfere with their children’s future therefore their children tend to leave school and start work.

9. Did I have any trouble in getting and doing what I wanted? Very difficult decision Very difficult decision Not enough confidence Not enough confidence Not good English Not good English Different environment in TAFE and University Different environment in TAFE and University Convincing the family Convincing the family

10. How do I find the Australian Education system. Its hard to understand if a person don’t seek for assistance Its hard to understand if a person don’t seek for assistance Broad system Broad system Many opportunities Many opportunities New arrivals don’t have the knowledge of the different opportunities that Australia have New arrivals don’t have the knowledge of the different opportunities that Australia have Many people know the clear Education pathway which is primary school, High school and TAFE/ University. Many people know the clear Education pathway which is primary school, High school and TAFE/ University.