This Refugee Week, Simon Shahin wants Australians to understand that becoming a refugee is “not a choice.”
Held annually, Refugee Week aims to create better understanding between different communities and encourage successful integration, enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to Australia.
Speaking at Merrylands Library on Wednesday, June 22, Mr Shahin will share the amazing story of how he and his family fled from war torn Syria before finally settling and starting a new life in Australia.
“I was born and raised in Damascus, Syria, one of the most ancient cities in the world. I was studying environmental science at Damascus University and I had a great upbringing – I enjoyed my life,” he said.
“But unfortunately around 2011, circumstances changed. War ensued and swept over the whole country. My family and I were forced to flee and seek asylum.”
Mr Shahin and his family were granted temporary asylum in Lebanon and from there they sought refugee visas for Australia. In 2015, they were finally granted these visas and at 22-years-old, Mr Shahin made his new home in Australia.
Although he was excited for the fresh start in western Sydney, the now 29-year-old Mr Shahin soon realised that adjusting to life in a new country wouldn’t be easy.
“I had a lot of challenges initially with the language barrier, finding what to do professionally and also belonging, finding friends. I was just starting from scratch,” he said.
“But with some perseverance, and good luck, I managed to complete my studies in renewable energy engineering and I’m currently working at Transgrid.”
Now he has made it his mission to help other refugees and educate Australians on the struggles they face.
“There are a lot of refugees who have been going through such traumas after fleeing their countries, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Many people have no choice,” Mr Shahin said.
“To leave their home, a country they’ve been raised in all their life, is a very hard thing [to do]. It shatters them.”
This Refugee Week, Mr Shahin hopes people will learn more about the issues refugees face.
“I would appeal to all locals just to learn more about the issues [affecting refugees],” he said.
“They need to educate and empathise with them, we are all living on the same planet and if we don’t find a way to live in peace with one another then we become disconnected.”
Refugee Week runs until Saturday, June 25.
To hear Mr Shahin speak, contact Merrylands Library on 8757 9065.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.