A LANDMARK Victoria University research project will document the experiences of western suburbs residents from Ethiopia.
Community engagement adviser Elleni Bereded-Samuel, an Ethiopian migrant herself, says she was inspired to launch the project by her daughter Rediete after a recent trip to their homeland.
“There has been very little research about Ethiopian migration to Australia,” Ms Bereded-Samuel said.
“What we want to know is how migrants are settling in and whether documenting a trip back home to Ethiopia can bring happiness.”
Ms Bereded-Samuel says many Ethiopians return home to visit their families and the trip can greatly affect their outlook on life in Australia.
“When they return home they realise how far they’ve come since they left.
“By giving back to their economy on their return, they feel positive about their new life – the education, training, employment they have received.”
The study, which will start next year, will focus on 60 Ethiopians living in the west, documenting their experience of returning home to visit family. Ms Bereded-Samuel, who came to Australia more than 16 years ago, says the transition is often arduous for African migrants.
“A lot of them have been through a lot of trauma to get to Australia. They miss their home and families and tend to set up their new life where other Ethiopians are living.”
Ms Bereded-Samuel says there are about 4000 Ethiopians living in Brimbank, Maribyrnong and Wyndham and hundreds more in Flemington.
Victoria University honorary research fellow Sebastian Filep says studies have shown that regularly writing about positive experiences can lower depression.
“What we don’t know is if reminiscing and writing about intensely positive holiday experiences will boost happiness levels higher than writing about a good day at home or an enjoyable visit to a park,” he said.
For Ms Bereded-Samuel, the project is also a chance to change the way people view her homeland.
“From Ethiopia there are so many negative images of war, starvation and trauma in the media that it takes away from the beauty of the country and the beautiful people who live there.”
Details: 99194322.
