Rina’s story of overcoming challenges

For Rina Yulia, the benefits of Australian living are different from the ordinary.

Moving to Darwin from Indonesia six years ago, Rina admired the challenges that Australia could bring, and consequentially the independence she could gain.

“I like it that way, to do everything by myself,” Rina said.

Rina left Indonesia to join her partner and children in Australia, adding that she is “excited” to do more independent tasks with her boys, however Rina’s journey has not been without its struggles.

As Rina notes, one of the biggest challenges in coming to Australia was moving away from “big families and a lot of friends” and suddenly feeling “kind of lonely”.

“It’s hard, (you don’t) have friends, don’t have family and you just need to do things by yourself,” Rina said.

Before COVID-19, Rina worked for five years at the Casuarina Senior College, where she had the opportunity to teach night classes on “recycled art”. One of her most memorable pieces was a “sculpture of a jellyfish”, made entirely out of recycled bottles.

However, Rina soon found herself without employment and found that job hunting was difficult because employers “want qualifications” and Rina’s Indonesian diploma was giving her little assistance.

Rina soon found the direction she was looking for when she came across the AMEP program at STEPS.

Rina described, “when I [went] to STEPS, it’s just… like everything. I’m really grateful… [it’s had] a really good impact, she said.

Rina has been in the program for two months and has found the experience, and the added benefit of meeting new people, “refreshing”.

Despite her bravery and talent, Rina is humble, saying that she only hopes to continue to “up [her] skills” and “have confidence”.

Though, never one to shy away from a challenge, Rina also says that in the future she may “challenge [herself] to do something that [she] would never do… maybe like nursing”.

Want to learn English? Start your learning journey and further build your English language skills with STEPS AMEP. We have classes in Casuarina, Palmerston and Alice Springs. Find out more by calling 1300 131 965 or emailing customercare@stepsgroup.com.au

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.