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Author: Cleopatra Nicolaou
Storyteller: Charalambia Nicolaou
Community Language School: Community Language School of Burwood "St Nektarios"
Main School: St Pats Marist College

Charalambia's adaptation to life in Australia.

"My name is Charalambia. I come from Alaminos. It's a small village in Cyprus."

Charalambia is tall, skinny, has green eyes and long black hair. Her parents had a cattle farm. She used to go with her sisters and brother after school to help out on the farm.

They used to eat Greek salads, baked beans, lamb and bread. When she left her country she was 20 years old. She came to Australia to study and to get a job. She came to Australia by plane and it was a very tiring journey. When she finally arrived in Australia everything was so different. It was very difficult for her.

At the beginning she used to live with her uncle and aunt until she got married. At the beginning she thought she would never learn the language or customs. But she has managed.

Charalambia loves her country but she also feels Australia is her home. It's very hard when you know two countries, I don't know how to explain that to you. You have to live it.