I came to Australia as a refugee from the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, with my family when I was 5 years old. I soon learnt to navigate living between two very distinct worlds. My life ever since has been enriched with the diversity that my family heritage offered me, and the linkages I have made with people of different cultures. My experience of being forced out of my home, watching my parents build something from nothing, being ‘different’ and excluded, and all the challenges we faced as a family trying to settle into a completely new social and physical world, made me a more open, incredibly resilient, person.
All throughout my academic and professional life I worked with culturally diverse communities, and was fascinated by culture, and particularly the effects that adapting to a new culture has on people who resettle in new countries. After completing my Masters in International & Community Development, I pursued a path to obtain a PhD and academic research experience, in addressing issues relating to refugee health, resettlement, and creating innovative methods for applying culturally sensitive approaches to mainstream services, where I have worked professionally.