In this conversation, Christian Nduwimana shares his harrowing journey from Burundi, where he escaped a civil war and political persecution, to becoming a refugee in Australia. He discusses the political dynamics that led to violence in his home country and what led him to speak out against the injustices he witnessed.

Christian shares his complex journey from living in a refugee camp for three years to arriving in Australia. He reflects on the resilience he witnessed among fellow refugees, the hope that kept him going, and the importance of service to others.

Christian also discusses the challenges of adapting to a new life, including language barriers and the emotional toll of leaving his past behind. Ultimately, he emphasizes the significance of pursuing dreams and the power of hope in overcoming adversity.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro: A Story of Survival and Hope

(02:20) Fleeing Burundi: The Start of Christian's Journey

(06:42) Life Under Civil War and Political Oppression

(13:15) Speaking Up Against Injustice

(18:30) Becoming a Target of the Regime

(24:10) The Escape: Leaving Burundi Without a Bag

(29:50) Surviving the Refugee Camp Years

(36:00) Finding Strength Through Service

(41:20) Arriving in Australia: Relief and Grief

(47:05) Learning English & Rebuilding Dreams

(54:12) Inspiration from Dr. Dinesh Palipana

(59:00) Final Reflections: Community, Identity & Inner Voice

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In this conversation, Khalil Bagatsing shares his journey from working in his family's business in the Philippines to helping immigrants find skill-aligned jobs in the US. He discusses the challenges immigrants face in the job market, including the importance of customizing resumes, recognizing transferable skills, and overcoming credential recognition issues.

Khalil emphasizes the significance of community support, resilience against rejection, and the power of storytelling in job applications. He introduces the PAR method for structuring responses and discusses the significance of preparation and practice.

In this episode, Kahlil encourages job seekers to view their unique experiences as strength, to reframe setbacks as integral parts of a broader journey, and to seek out companies that value diversity and inclusion.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to the podcast & Kahlil Bagatsing

(01:20) Kahlil’s immigration story and early influences

(04:00) Leaving the family business to find purpose

(06:30) Rebuilding life: health, love, and self-worth

(08:30) Discovering a passion for service & coaching

(09:50) Why skilled immigrants struggle to find work

(12:00) Resume mistakes & how to tailor your story

(14:00) Transferable skills: Making past jobs relevant

(17:30) Handling rejection and staying motivated

(23:00) Turning perceived disadvantages into strengths

(28:00) Storytelling & confidence in job interviews

(35:00) Final reflections, resources & message to migrants

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In this insightful episode, Niharika Hiremath OAM, a first-generation immigrant and mental health professional, joins the podcast to share her unique perspective on growing up in Australia after leaving India at a young age.

Niharika discusses her lived experiences as a third culture kid, the challenges and conflicts of navigating multiple identities, and her openness about mental health struggles. She emphasizes the importance of cultural humility, self-awareness, and the intricate connection between identity and mental well-being. Niharika provides professional insights into intentional peer support and underscores the need for inclusive and culturally responsive mental health services in Australia.

This episode is filled with valuable advice for both mental health professionals and individuals from multicultural backgrounds.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast

(00:33) Meet Niharika Hiremath

(01:26) Niharika’s Early Life in India

(02:53) Migrating to New Zealand and Australia

(04:46) Growing Up as a Third Culture Kid

(06:34) Identity Conflicts and Emotional Expression

(08:21) Sharing Mental Health Struggles

(11:16) Intersectionality and Mental Health

(18:36) Creating Inclusive Mental Health Services

(25:20) Cultural Humility in Practice

(30:15) Introduction to Intentional Peer Support (IPS)

(34:07) Niharika’s Purpose and Advice to Migrants

(46:09) Final Reflections and Recommendations

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.