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The Lhotshampa in Tasmania: an Exploration of the Challenges of Resettlement and Acculturation

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The Lhotshampa in Tasmania: an Exploration of the Challenges of Resettlement and Acculturation The Lhotshampa in Tasmania: An exploration of the challenges of resettlement and acculturation Natascha Tobor M.A. M.A. Ludwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München 2007 A Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Humanities University of Tasmania Hobart December 2017 Declaration of Originality This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for a degree or diploma by the University or any other institution, except by way of background information and duly acknowledged in the thesis, and to the best of my knowledge and belief no material previously published or written by another person except where due acknowledgement is made in the text of the thesis, nor does the thesis contain any material that infringes copyright. Natascha Tobor M.A. 24 December 2017 Authority of Access This thesis may be made available for loan and limited copying and communication in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 ii Statement of Ethical Conduct The research associated with this thesis abides by the international and Australian codes on human and animal experimentation, the guidelines by the Australian Government's Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the rulings of the Safety, Ethics and Institutional Biosafety Committees of the University. iii Abstract This thesis aims to add to existing knowledge in the area of refugee resettlement by exploring integrative and acculturative processes among the Lhotshampa refugee community in Tasmania. This thesis examines the challenges that Lhotshampa refugees face when resettling in Tasmania, by focussing on two areas of inquiry. The first area revolves around the practical, integrative issues that the Lhotshampa experience in rebuilding their lives, such as finding employment or housing and learning English. The second part explores the acculturative changes that occur in the Lhotshampa community, due to living in a culturally diverse environment; this includes an analysis of the areas where cultural changes happen, and how they are negotiated. It also investigates how the Lhotshampa’s history of dispersal impacts on their feelings of identity. The purpose of the study is to improve our understanding of the integrative and acculturative processes involved, raise awareness of the difficulties that refugees face when resettling in Tasmania, and provide suggestions for the improvement of current resettlement policies. It can thus aid policymakers in the development of resettlement policies and procedures, thus improving the resettlement process for future generations of refugees. The results will also deepen our understanding of acculturative processes of culturally diverse groups in Australia. Ethnography was chosen as methodology for this study. The main methods to gather data were participant observation among the Lhotshampa community, semi-structured interviews with both Lhotshampa and Australian professionals working with refugees, a focus group with Lhotshampa women, and extensive literature and internet research. Fieldwork was conducted in the Lhotshampa refugee communities in Hobart and Launceston, Tasmania, during 2015-2016. Regarding the practical challenges that occur during resettlement, several areas were identified that need addressing, mainly in the areas of English education, employment, aged care and interpreting services. It was found, however, that these areas affect mostly the Lhotshampa and might not be applicable to other refugee groups, partly because of Tasmania’s current facilities, but also due to the Lhotshampa’s history and sociocultural characteristics. This implies that policymakers and service providers need to be flexible when iv developing resettlement policies, and to adjust their services with each new refugee group. A collaborative approach that takes the resettlement aims, needs and opinions of refugees into consideration is suggested. Regarding the acculturative processes that occur in the Lhotshampa community the results show that the Lhotshampa differ greatly in the way they negotiate cultural change or construct their identities, not only individually, but also when compared to other refugee groups. This means that, similar to the above, acculturative policies need to be developed in consultation with refugee groups in order to achieve the best possible outcome. v Acknowledgements This thesis would never have been completed without the help of some very special individuals; some people, like my family and friends and my supervisor accompanied me during the entire journey from beginning to end. Others were only there for a short time, however, without their crucial bits of advice or pushes in the right direction at the right time, I doubt I would have completed this journey. First and most of all I would like to thank Pamela Allen, my primary supervisor, who encouraged me to take the first steps and apply to do a PhD. With English not being my first language, she definitely had a lot of editing to do when reading through my early pieces of work. Fortunately, all those red bits (often accompanied by carefully-worded, non- threatening suggestions for improvement in all the right places) became less and less over the years. Pam, my apologies for making the same grammatical errors again and again - the ‘accept all changes’ function in word just made it too easy! Looking back at the last four years I could not have asked for a better supervisor. Thank you for always being so supportive and encouraging! You never seemed to have any doubts that I could get this done, and I always left our meetings with my confidence restored and ready to take the next step. Also, thank you for not only being a fantastic supervisor, but for kicking off my professional career at UTAS. It all started with RUILI but who knows where it will end. I know that I will miss our meetings, talking PhD and gossiping over hot cups of coffee. Kamu yang terbaik! My heartfelt thanks goes out to the Bhutanese refugees in Tasmania, for their willingness to participate in this study, and for welcoming me into their community. I am deeply grateful to a few individuals in particular, without whom this study would not have been possible (you know who you are!). Thank you for welcoming me into your homes, and telling me your stories. Thank you also for teaching me about your history, your religion and your culture, and for sharing your thoughts and feelings with me. Without your trust, your kindness, and your help this study could never have been completed. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Australian professionals and volunteers, especially Yabbo Thompson from the MRC, whose assistance has been invaluable in so many ways. To all my Australian interview participants, thank you for sharing your insights and knowledge of refugee issues in Tasmania with me. vi Among UTAS staff and students I would like to thank Richard Corry for his support as Graduate Research Coordinator; I would also like to thank Roberta Julian, Rebekah Burgess and Subhash Koirala for our extensive discussions about refugees, ethnography, and fieldwork experiences. Furthermore I owe a debt of gratitude to the IT support team for repeatedly fixing my laptop, and the Morris Miller Library staff for helping me with my enquiries. I am also deeply grateful to the University of Tasmania for accepting me as a PhD student and for awarding me the APA scholarship as financial support for this candidature. In Germany I would like to thank Professor Franz-Karl Ehrhard and Professor Matthias Laubscher for their encouragement and support over the last 15 years, and for providing me with suggestions for great books to read. Last but not least I would like to thank my colleagues Amy Millett, Nikki Glazik, Amy Lugten, Santhana Vaidhyanathan, Vera Graham, Suzie Castillo, Jill Aschman, Mavis Fletcher, Rodney Blazely, Bernice Johnson and Caitlin Barnett from the International Admissions Team at the University of Tasmania, who have supported and encouraged me throughout the final 1.5 years of my candidature. There were many occasions where I struggled through my work day half asleep due to having squeezed in another 150 words at 4.30 in the morning. Thanks also for not giving up inviting me to social events even though I hardly ever joined in. You rock! Dan and Tyler, I dedicate this thesis to you. Dan, thank you for being there always. Thank you for your willingness to listen and to discuss my work and for all your encouragement and support, month after month, year after year. Thank you for sharing every little success and being there when I hit the bottom. Now we’ve made it to the end of our studies together (unbelievable the day has finally come). You’ve been the best companion for this long journey, and I only made it to the end because of you. Tyler, thank you for being such a patient son and for your understanding that this project is something that your mum needed to complete. Thank you also for all your hugs and “l love you”-s which reminded me of what’s really important in life. You have been absolutely awesome throughout this difficult time and I hope you are proud of me. Now, let’s play! vii Table of Contents Declaration of Originality ........................................................................................................................ ii Statement of Ethical Conduct ................................................................................................................ iii Abstract .................................................................................................................................................
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