2. How does your experience compare or contrast to that of an asylum seeker/refugee? You will need to research a specific story to answer this question.

http://brisbane-stories.powerup.com.au/scatteredpeople/

-Aaron’s story – China

My story contrasts with Aaron’s story very much.

Aaron says ‘[he has] two identities-at home I am a farmer’s son, and that’s the identity I was born with.’

To be identified as someone’s son/daughter or someone’s sister/brother is not exactly ideal for your self esteem. It seems that nobody knows anything about you, besides the fact that you are someone’s kid. Being known as someone’s child based on occupation (farmer) is just like being called a PK (pastor’s kid). Obviously you wouldn’t like it to be called the doctor’s kid, or accountant’s son. Therefore, my life contrasts: I only have one identity.

Other contrasts: Aaron explains, ‘To go to university free of charge means you have to be among the top 5% of your peers. A very challenging and very ambitious plan for a kid, for a farmer’s son, to get such an idea, such a plan, and to have such a desperate need to restructure your life.’

He is still referring himself as a farmer’s son, but expresses himself that he wants to restructure his life. Many of us (me included) have not had a thought of ‘restructuring’ their lives. To restructure is ‘to construct or form anew or provide with a new structure.’ This means that restructuring your lives may even be a lifelong process.