After fleeing Sudan at the age of 16, leaving his mother and nine siblings behind, George Makuac Mading Mou is now helping other refugees struggling to adjust to life in a new country and is hoping one day to return to his homeland.
George completed a Bachelor of Social Science from Southern Cross University's Coffs Harbour campus in 2011 and this year is undertaking a Master of Community Development (Emergency Management).
He came to Coffs Harbour in 2009, after spending around 12 years in a refugee camp in Uganda.
"I fled my country at the age of 16. I left my mum and my nine siblings. We were being attacked and my mum fled separately," George said. "I was very young but I had no choice. I had to go and live by myself in Uganda."
During the time he spent in the camp, he received support from his mother and was able to complete his O levels (equivalent to Year 10) and then his A levels (equivalent to Year 12). He then began a university degree in economics and management.
He left during his third year, after being accepted as a humanitarian refugee into Australia.
"I tried three times to get into Australia and was rejected, but the fourth time I was accepted. I came to Coffs Harbour in 2009 and had to start everything from scratch," he said.
"It was hard, but I had great support from lecturers and the Academic Skills Unit. I chose this degree because I thought I would be able to serve the community by being a case worker. I want to be able to help the needy and vulnerable, especially newly arrived immigrants.
"One of the things in a new environment is that it can be hard to access services, even accommodation. There is also sometimes pressure from home – the little money you get you need to divide it with family from home.
"It can be hard to get a job. Those people who have skills often find they are not recognised in a new country.
"Australians are friendly but I feel that there is sometimes a lack of understanding and perhaps fear that refugees will take peoples' jobs."
During his studies George has also been working as an interpreter with Centrelink, assisting other refugees to settle into their new lives.
He has also been involved in programs to educate Australians about Sudanese culture and some of the differences that can lead to simple misunderstandings.
In Sudan, for example, people don't generally smile at another person unless they know them well.
George said he was hoping to eventually return to his homeland where there was still much poverty and political and ethnic upheaval.
"I have had great support from Anglicare North Coast and the Northern Settlement Service, but it's been very hard buying books and paying rent. I am looking for a sponsor or scholarship to be able to continue with my studies at Masters level," he said.
Updated: 11 January 2012