Comparing Journeys In Migrant Hostel And The Happiest Refugee

The hostel is depicted as a place of insecurity where the individual identity has been removed and replaced with anonymity and insignificance ‘no one kept count of all the comings and goings’ and ‘arrivals of newcomers in busloads’. The poet also highlights the migrants need to seek out the familiar in people with the same nationality or culture, in search of a place to belong and a link to their former identities by connecting with other migrants, ‘ Nationalities sought each other out instinctively’.

‘The Happiest Refugee’ discusses various concepts including the effects of war, the trauma that refugees experience, their desire to contribute to society and our negative attitudes towards them. After the war, South Vietnamese soldiers and their families were captured by the North Vietnamese Communists and held in labour camps. Some of these prisoners were eventually released (after 1976), however, they had no right to education, employment or government supplied food rations. If Ahn had not left this oppressive environment, he would have grown up in extreme poverty and would be a very different person due to the trauma that

The Happiest Refugee is a memoir written by Anh Do which was first published on the 1st of August in 2010. It is regarded as one of the most influential and well-received novels in the world of literature for its great insight on the life of refugees. The book provides a universal message to its readers about the suffering of human beings during wars and their struggle to make a better life in a foreign country. The Happiest Refugee is about Anh Do and his family’s journey from

Go Back To Where You Came From is an Australian documentary/reality show in which participants are given the opportunity to experience what the life of refugee and asylum seeker can be like, albeit edited and packaged for an audience. During the course of the three hour long series, the six individuals not only have the chance to get under the skin of a refugee in terms of achieving a greater degree of insight into what being a refugee really means, but also to get on the viewing audiences nerves in perhaps all or any of the of the first three senses described above. Moreover the refugees participating in the series may ‘get under the skin’ of the programme participants and the

There are many different views about refugees in Australian society, where illegal boat people and over flowing detention centres are a controversial problem today. Go Back To Where You Came From is a documentary directed by Ivan O’Mahoney about a social experiment that challenges the dominant views of six Australians about refugees and asylum seekers. These six Australians are taken on a 25 day journey where they are placed into the troubled “worlds” of refugees. For a few of the Australians it is their first time overseas but, for all of them it is the most challenging and confronting experience of their lives. This essay will discuss

Skrzynecki’s insightful poem “Migrant Hostel” explores the notion of impermanence and uncertainty in an individual’s experience where stability is essential to develop an identity and sense of belonging. The poem illustrates the disorientating nature of a migrant hostel where the people within yearn for sanctuary in the Australian community. This idea is instantly reflected through the negative connotations in “no one kept count” representing a sense of anonymity in the atmosphere through a lack of individual significance. The enjambment and juxtaposition of the “comings” and “goings” highlights the transient and uncertain nature of the hostel environment where they were “left wondering who would be coming next”. The intrinsic desire of human nature to develop meaningful bonds with people that share similar adversities is displayed through simile and symbol of a “homing pigeon circling to get its bearings”. Furthermore, the alliteration in “memories of hunger and hate” convey their previous experiences hindering their search for harmony and permission into the broader community. This notion is further

Migrants cultivate their status as outsiders in a variety of ways. Some migrants are able to collaborate their identities with both the aspects of their ethnic heritage and their local community, at times managing to create a dignified sort of reputation within a sea of suspicious gazes. Then there are some who refuse to perceive their heritage as part of their individual identities, while doing their utmost to belong to a community separate from that of their parents. The struggles of various migrant communities and individuals are difficult to transfix at a simple point. What does appear to be the most prominent strand of commonality, however, is the idea that while migrants may not be able to guarantee a way to avoid being seen as outsiders by others, it is within their everyday abilities to refine their relationships as migrants towards others as they

After the Second World War there were millions of people who found themselves in foreign countries and separated from their families. These people were known as “displaced person”, and were mainly former prisoners of either labor or concentration camps, prisoners of the war, or refugees. Two incidents in Flannery O’Connor’s life inspired her to write “The Displaced Person”.

This evocative image positions the responder to recognize and appreciate how an individual can achieve both liberty and emancipation whilst maintaining spiritual stability and emotional contentment. Similarly in the SBS documentary/tv show ‘go back to where you came from’ explores the antipathy and bigotry that has become characteristic of the Australian refugee debate. This gives new understandings and perspectives to the participants of the show which is similar in the themes explored in the poem’ the one who goes

The different journeys being taken by these individuals and families all beg the question over what obligations society has towards these people. While many would agree that action has to be taken in order to ensure the safety of these individuals and help them as much as possible. This is demonstrated through Sadiq’s journey because when he stopped at a charity center they provided clothes for his trip to Finland and also breakfast. The help being offered by this place gives the refugees not only a place to stay for the night and guarantees breakfast, but also gives them hope to continue on as they approach their final destination. The assistance offered by organizations like these demonstrates that these refugees are humans who are in need of necessary supplies for their survival, and that society is obligated to fulfill these individuals needs to secure their journey and secure their well-being.

As a means of raising awareness in the general public about the lives of refugees, in 2009, ANCORW launched an education resource which highlights the inspiring contributions and successes of refugees settling in Australia. Title, “Celebration of Refugee Lives : Stories of Strength and Resilience”, it contains a film, book and short training program. The aim of this education resource is to enhance the public’s understanding of refugee experience and to dispel the exaggerated myth that refugees only bring negative social and economic problems.

Many people face instances of extreme hardships throughout their lives. Multiple factors such as war, corruption, and disasters can cause these difficulties. However, within the destruction, still remains the resilience and strength of the human spirit. The man in Cormac McCarthy’s The Road and the Syrian refugee, Doaa Al-Zamel in Melissa Fleming’s article The Desperate Plight of a Syrian Refugee and Syrian Refugee Doaa Al Zamel's Tumultuous Journey to Europe both encounter obstacles in their journeys to survive. One of the obstacles that an individual can face is nature. Another obstacle is other people who are trying to get in the way, especially those who see themselves as of higher importance. And finally

Discovery is inevitable in our lives; it can encompass the feeling of discovering something new or rediscovering something that was forgotten or ignored. The complex nature of discovery creates different experiences for individuals. However, it is the emotional and physical discoveries that can cause the re-evaluation of our values and ideas. These opinions and views are expressed in the film ‘Go back to where you came from’ directed by Ivan O'Mahoney, which shows the refugee experience through the emotional and physical demanding journey.

Discoveries challenge a persons’ views, as shown in the docudrama ‘Go Back to Where You Came from’ and ‘Neighbours’. ‘Go Back’ explores the journey of six Australians as they are exposed to the reality of refugees, thus challenging their assumptions. ‘Neighbours’ similarly is a story of newcomers to an ethnic neighbourhood as their cultural discoveries led the newcomers to accepting their neighbours.

Many immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, especially those from the Middle East and other war-torn countries, want to relocate in other countries. It is not an easy feat and these people go through different struggles. They not only struggle because of fear, but also due to poverty, unemployment, racism and discrimination, and lack of opportunities among others. For this reason, immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers need all the help they can get because they face many struggles all at once. I for one can relate to their struggle of learning a new language and adapting in a different or unfamiliar environment. One feels out of place as well as confused about culture, beliefs, and ideals. On one hand, there is a need to adapt and adjust but on the other hand, there is also a strong drive to remain true to one’s culture. The struggles make these conflicting feelings worse. For this reason, I very much agree with Lee’s plea to the international community to lend a helping hand. People who experience these difficulties also need inspiration because they need to believe that with effort, determination, and help from others, they can overcome the obstacles they face. Lee manages to accomplish this objective as she gives an inspiration talk that encourages immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers to never give, and the international community to meet them halfway and help them escape their difficult