Getting used to with Australian society (Special Feature)

By Devika Adhikari, Australia
Five exiled Bhutanese families who landed Australia under third country resettlement program are gradually getting acquainted with the new environment. In March two families from Beldangi, two from Khudunabari and one from Goldhap landed Australia to start their new life.

All of them are kept in different places.

All exiled Bhutanese who spent their difficult days under scorch of sun in Nepal camps are happy to get their own houses here. Most of them are currently undergoing English language classes.

Under the free adult education program run by Department of Immigration and Citizenship of the Australian government, all those coming under resettlement program have to take 510 hours of English language classes. Since it helps them get job here easily, they are interested to join the classes.

The government pays the rent for the house exiled Bhutanese are sheltered. Additionally, they are given extra money for domestic expenditure. Those resettled here say, the amount provided by government is enough to run the family. Some even save a little.

However, all these facilities are there until exiled Bhutanese start earning. A job network helps you to find a job after you complete your language classes. Australia has already announced to continue supporting until we find a good job to sustain a family.

Exiled Bhutanese who have passed at least 10+2 are getting ready to join the university in the next two or three months.

The days are quite harder for the exiled Bhutanese to pass since they are not in touch with Nepali community. Each family is resettled separately. But they are awaiting the assurances given by the government for re-union with their relatives.

All new phase of their life has begun here and they began to count their hard days back in Nepal. Bhutan News Service