» Read Kristina’s story in Arabic

Kristina’s story
Author: Kristina Ibrahim
Storyteller: Kristina Ibrahim
Community Language School: St Mary & St Mina’s Arabic School
Main School: Bethany College

Looking back on my life in Egypt and Australia.

It all started in Cairo (Egypt) when I was born in 1989. I have an older brother who is 2 years older than me. When I turned 3 months, my parents decided to move to Australia. When we arrived in Australia my parents had no idea how to speak English. When we went to Saint Mary’s and saint Mina’s Coptic Orthodox Church we got to meet people there and made friends with some of them. There was a committee at church responsible for the newly arrived people from overseas. They helped my parents learn English, find a suitable job for them, and helped my brother and I attend pre-school when we were old enough. My parents had another child, which was a baby boy, when I was 4 years old.

Hometown

I was born in Cairo, Egypt. My mum was born in Cairo and my dad was born a village in Egypt. My big brother was born in Alexandria and my small brother was born in Australia.

Decisions

My parents decided to come to Australia because they made a commitment in Egypt that they wanted the best for their children. They wanted their children to have a good education, a good lifestyle and a healthy life. They knew Australia was a nice and caring country that liked to help families.

Feelings

My parents had a mixture of feelings in Egypt because they had to leave their families for their new home in Australia. They felt isolated, lonely and sad at first. Then their feelings changed and they loved it with passion. They made many friends who are just like a family to them.

Our new home

For the first five years we lived in a house in Campsie. My father worked as a carpenter. As time went by we moved to a flat in Campsie. We had a lot of friends there. A few years later we moved to another house in Campsie. It was a very nice house and it had a big backyard that was great for a barbeque. Our neighbours were very pleasant and friendly to us.

Impressions

My first school was Saint Marouns in Dullwich Hill. I stayed there until Year 7. We moved houses to Hustville, near the shopping centre. So I had to move schools because Dullwich Hill was far away from Hurstville. I moved schools to Bethany College and it was tough leaving my friends from my old school but I had to do it. I made friends the first day at my new school. Bethany College is a very good school and is a lot of fun. I feel that the College has great teachers and is providing me with an enjoyable and good education.
On the 14th July this year I turned 13 years old. I celebrated it with a birthday party with my new and friends and neighbours.

Looking back

Looking back at my life, I remember starting school. It was tough at first but I managed to work to the best of my ability. Now my English has improved, school is not as difficult as it was before. I thank all the people who have made my English skills better and made it easier to adjust in Australia.