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We are a group of young Syrians who arrived in Adelaide 4-6 months ago. Some of us have already made many new friends here. Some of us are still looking for friends. And some of us are really missing our friends back home.

We have put together some of our ideas to share with other young people who might be arriving here soon. Here are our tips and our ideas about how we wish to welcome you. We hope these ideas are helpful:

• When you first arrive, I would like to take you on a tour of this school and particularly show you the classrooms.
• I’d like to show you the library – it’s an important place for me here.
• I will introduce you to all the other Syrian students here. We will look out for you. And you can start looking out for people who one day might become your friends.
• I’d like to tell you that Australia is beautiful, it is like our country.
• When you arrive, I will take you to taste the ice-cream at MacDonald’s. It’s very creamy and nice.
• When you first arrive you will probably miss your friends. I miss my friends in Jordan very much.
• At first you may have difficulties with language, but remember … we are safe here and the people are friendly. This gives us hope that there is life to live.
• When you first come to school you will see that some people have a lot of information that they are trying to teach you. There is so much to learn! It can be overwhelming. But if you just take it step by step it gets easier :)
• At first you might feel lost, but we can feel safe from war here. It’s a place where you can achieve your dreams.
• When I first arrived it was like a dream. This dream had been in my head for so long and I couldn’t believe I had made it. Then, slowly, slowly, I started to miss my country. And I started to miss talking in Arabic. When you arrive you will probably feel many different things at different times.
• The first thing I will show you when you arrive is how to get your driver’s licence! It is a very different process here. It’s exciting to get your licence!
• I will show you how to take the bus. Even if you have no English, you can take the bus. I will help with translation :)
• If you are thinking of coming to Australia, I recommend you learn English before you get here. If you don’t speak English here it is very hard, so start learning now.
• I think it’s good to remember that, wherever you go, wherever you are, the most beautiful place will always be your country.

We’ve been here in Adelaide now for 4-6 months. These are some of the ways in which we want to welcome you.

We are awaiting your arrival.

With warmth,

From your Syrian (soon to be) friends at Adelaide Secondary School of English.

A message from Syrian mothers