From student to staff member: Nhu finds her voice at NSF

When Nhu first arrived in Australia with no English she was so shy even a conversation with her Australian neighbours was terrifying to her. But within two years of undertaking the Adult Migrant English Program at NSF Cabramatta, Nhu has secured a job.

When Nhu first arrived in Australia in 2020, the language barrier seemed insurmountable. Simple daily interactions filled her with anxiety and uncertainty.

“I felt very confused and stressed because I was not able to communicate with everyone. Every time I went out, I needed my husband’s help,” Nhu said of her first few months in her new home.

Even casual interactions became sources of stress rather than connection.

“At first, I didn’t dare to contact anyone, even my neighbour,” she said.

“He is an Australian, over 60 years old. When I met him, I just smiled, nodded. I tried to avoid him because I was afraid he would ask more questions I didn’t understand, I didn’t know how to answer.”

Shortly after arriving in Australia, Nhu gave birth to her baby in 2021 and spent the next two years taking care of her family, but she felt disconnected from life in Australia.

In 2023 she decided to take a step towards improving her life and enrolled in the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs-funded Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) delivered by Navitas Skilled Futures (NSF) in Cabramatta.

The transformation didn’t happen overnight, but with dedication and support from the NSF community, Nhu progressed steadily.

“I started in a low level 1 class but after four semesters I was awarded a certificate of completion,” she said.

Over two years Nhu poured herself into her studies at NSF, continuing to progress through the AMEP. She said the skills she was learning transformed her, helping her find new confidence and form connections within her community.

Her language proficiency continued to flourish.

“From zero now my listening, speaking, reading and writing skills are over 70 per cent and I am also continuing to practise every day,” Nhu said.

“My trainers at Navitas helped me improve my skills and gave me the opportunity to develop myself.”

From student to staff member

Less than two years after she first walked into her level 1 English class, Nhu couldn’t believe it when she got the opportunity to work at NSF providing bilingual support for new Vietnamese students facing the same challenges she once did.

“I am very lucky because I have old teachers who taught me, loved me and knew my ability so they introduced me to the leader of NSF Bankstown and I had the opportunity to work and to improve my English even more,” she said.

She said her shared experience helps her support and empathise with the students she works with.

“I know that when they do not speak English, they will be very self-conscious and shy when communicating with someone,” she said.

“I try to share my experiences and try to help them regain their confidence living in this beautiful country.”

Nhu said her role at NSF means so much more to her than just employment.

Reflecting on her settlement journey, Nhu said signing up for her first classes at NSF made all the difference.

“I learned English, I found a good job and found a community at Navitas,” she said.

“All of these things made my settlement journey much smoother.”