For Afghan refugee Bibi Soha Najmi studying the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) with AMES Australia has not only given her command of the language but also a set of tools to navigate life in Australia.
“AMES Australia's AMEP program given me so much more than the ability to speak English well. The course has taught me about life in Australia and how to access opportunities and services,” Soha said.
“It has also put me on pathway to employment and taking up a professional career in information technology,” she said.
The 21-year-old arrived from Afghanistan with her family in May 2023 on a humanitarian visa and settled in Mildura, in Victoria’s north-west.
“We spent seven years in India. We fled Afghanistan in 2016 because of the security situation there.
I graduated school and university in India with a bachelor’s degree in IT,” Soha said.
After settling in Mildura, Soha joined the AMEP program with AMES Australia.
“Linking to AMES was really good for me. There have been lots of opportunities with AMES through the different programs they offer,” she said.
“And it has given me work experience and job opportunities. I‘ve enjoyed having conversations with my teachers and classmates.”
After completing a Certificate III in EAL, Soha has taken up a part-time job as a learning guide with AMES teaching digital literacy skills.
“I really enjoy supporting other refugees and migrants on their journeys settling in Australia. These days digital literacy is really important to anyone, and especially newly arrived people, in accessing services and opportunities and just navigating everyday life.”
Soha is now enrolled in a Certificate III course in IT at TAFE and plans to go on to further study.
“I want to go on a do master’s degree. In the meantime, the TAFE course is giving me a good insight into how the tertiary education system works in Australia, which is very different to India and Afghanistan.”
Soha said she and her family were grateful to be in Australia and enjoying life here.
“If I was in Afghanistan, I would not be allowed to study or work in IT under the Taliban. But in Australia there are so many opportunities to study and work,” she said.
Apart from her work and studies, Soha is enjoying the relaxed lifestyle in Mildura.
“I’m really enjoying my life here. I ride a bike and my family and I go for walks in the park. I also enjoy reading poetry in my spare time,” she said.
“I’m also very interested designing and building g new websites and web development”.
Soha’s award-winning teacher at AMES Albi Dinkar says Soha’s determination and willingness to embrace new things has set her up for success.
“Soha has seized the opportunities that have come her way and she is a on an exciting pathway to achieving her goals,” Albi said
The AMEP is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Department of Home Affairs.