Racheline Barda
Coming to Australia as a migrant was liberating but still traumatic. The separation from my family and from what I used to call home was made under duress and the pain was still fresh in my heart and in my mind. I still remember my initial feelings of loss, alienation, and estrangement. Australia at the time was very insular and I was considered a “wog”. Nevertheless, despite my very basic English skills and my strong foreign accent, I had no problem finding a job as a clerk almost immediately.
It was still a long way before I could feel close to the people and the culture. Once integration and multiculturalism became official government policy, my multilingual skills became an asset instead of a hindrance and I really started to feel at home. In my late 40s, after my children were more grownup. I was free to fulfil my dream of going to university where I graduated as a PhD in Jewish history. I lecture at the University of Sydney on the history of the Jews of Egypt and North Africa. I also volunteer at the Sydney Jewish Museum as a Holocaust guide.
I am proud of what I have achieved with the help and support of my husband and my children. I am particularly thankful for having been granted the opportunity to live, grow and prosper in this wonderful country of ours. I came here as a migrant and now I am Australian.
- OriginEgypt
- TransitItaly
- ArrivalSydney