Australian citizenship | Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties | Toom II (2)

Nyob rau toom sob kawm toom II (2) no yuav kawm txog Australia cov kev ntseeg rau cov kev tswj hwm democracy, tej cai thiab tej kev ywj pheej uas yuav pab koj npaj mus xeem ua pej xeem Australia. Josipa thiab Alex yuav qhia txog nkawv tej personal experiences thiab yuav pab koj xyaum kawm.

Parliament House in Canberra, Australia. Credit: Kokkai Ng/Getty Images

Puas yog koj xav ras los ua ib tug pej xeem Australia?

Yog ces koom nrog Josipa thiab Alex nkawv los pab koj npaj mus xeem ua pej xeem Australia. Nkawv yuav tshab txhais txog tej ntsiab lus tseem ceeb thiab tej tswv yim uas tsim nyog koj paub txog thiab koj kuj yuav koom nrog nkawv sim tej teb lus nug xeem pej xeem Australia thiab. Nyob rau toom sob kawm II (2) no ces yuav tham txog Australia txoj kev ntseeg txog cov kev tswj hwm democracy, tej cai thiab tej kev ywj pheej ntawm phau ntawv Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond.

Koj muaj peev xwm saib tau tag nhro tej videos thiab tej xovxwm kaw ua suab (podcasts) ntawm cov toom sob kawm Learn English Australian Citizenship series raws li hauv qab no.

Lus tim tsum: Tej experiences ntawm sob kawm no tsuas yog ib tug neeg ntiag tug twg tej experience xwb uas tej zaum yuav txawv koj tej. Thiaj xav kom koj mus txheeb thiab siv lub tuam chav Department of Home Affairs: Australian Citizenship lub vas sab (website) kom koj thiaj paub txog tej cai tswj thiab tej xov xwm ntxaws txog koj cov kev mus thov xeem tsi ntsees.

Mloog tau SBS Hmong hnub zwj Teeb (Thursday) 6 pm, hnub zwj Hnub (Sunday) 11 am, los yog koom tau ntxiv ntawm SBS Hmong Facebook, Google podcasts, Spotify thiab Apple podcasts. Download SBS Audio app thiab caum SBS Hmong pod follow.

Transcript

(Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript)

Alex

I'm Alex, and I'm currently studying for the citizenship test. Welcome to the second episode of the Australian Citizenship podcast by SBS Learn English.

Josipa

I'm Josipa, and having become an Australian citizen a few years ago, I'm here to support Alex in his preparation.

Alex

I really appreciate that, Josipa. I have to admit, I'm feeling scared about taking the test. It's like I'm giving someone else the power to determine if I'm worthy of becoming an Australian.

Josipa

It's understandable to feel that way, Alex, but you can't let fear hold you back.

Alex

I know, but even knowing that I still struggle to feel confident when faced with the test.

Josipa

On the day of my test, I was so anxious that I asked my partner to come with me for moral support.

Alex

That’s nice of him.

Josipa

It was, but he wasn’t allowed inside the building with me.

Alex

Seriously? Why not?

Josipa

Well, it turns out only the people scheduled for the test can go in. They're pretty strict about it. They even check if you have an appointment, so don't forget to bring a printed copy of the confirmation email.

Alex

Got it. I'll remember to bring that with me. Anything else I should know?

Josipa

Oh, definitely. You've got to have all the necessary documents on hand. Stuff like your ID or driver's license, your Medicare card, and any other papers they specifically asked for.

Alex

I'll make a thorough checklist and gather all the required documents.

Josipa

But don't leave it till the last minute. Take some time well ahead of the test date to double-check all your documents. I learned the hard way when I realised a month before that I couldn't find my birth certificate.

Alex

So, what did you do?

Josipa

I called my mum in Croatia, and she got me a new copy of my birth certificate.

Alex

So, your mum saved the day?

Josipa

What do you mean, saved the day?

Alex

Save the day is an expression we use to say that someone has solved a problem in a critical situation.

Josipa

I see, yes, that’s exactly what she did. But it was very stressful.

Alex

Why?

Josipa

My original documents weren’t in English, so I had to translate them in full and get them stamped by an approved translation service.

And, at that time, I wasn’t working, so I didn’t have much money, and getting documents translated in Australia can be so expensive.

Alex

So, what did you do?

Josipa

I reached out to the Australian consulate in Croatia, and they provided me with a list of approved translation services in the country.

Thankfully, I managed to find a translator who was willing to do the job within my budget. But everything happened at the last minute, and got my document just two days before the test.

Alex

I can only imagine how stressful it must have been for you during the waiting period.

Josipa

Yeah, it was quite stressful. And you know what else, before the test, during the interview, I worried that the stamp on my document wasn't valid because it wasn't done in Australia.

It was an unnecessary worry since I used recommended services. I found myself feeling insecure about everything, despite the fact that my papers were in order.

Alex

Hearing your story, Josipa, makes me realize how privileged I am in this process. I don't have a language barrier or the need to translate my original documents.

It's humbling to recognize that my fears are so small in comparison.

Josipa

But luckily for me, the person conducting the interview was really kind and supportive, and that made me feel much better.

Alex

Your experience has encouraged me and reminded me to approach the test with more confidence. Thank you for sharing.

Josipa

Alex, while our circumstances may differ, the emotions and fears we experience are always valid.

Alex

I think that preparing for the test will also help me feel more confident. Can we watch a video from the Australian Citizenship series with Angeline and Luke?

Josipa

Sure.

Alex

You know what's really cool about this video? It's super helpful for everyone, no matter their language skills. Not only does it support migrants who are learning English, but even folks like me who already speak it well can benefit from it.

Josipa

What did you learn from this part?

Alex

Well, a definition of 'a fair go’ and parliamentary democracy…Do you think we can do the test part now?

Josipa

Have you read the Our Common Bond booklet yet?

Alex

I have actually.

Josipa

Great, then let’s test you.

Josipa

Well done, Alex! You almost answered everything correctly.

Alex

I’m going to read the booklet again and watch all the videos.

Josipa

Thanks for tuning in to the second episode of the Australian Citizenship podcast.

Alex

And in our next episode, we'll hear how Australia is governed as in the third video Angeline and Luke explain how decisions that shape our country are made.

Josipa

This is Josipa.

Alex

And Alex. Thank you for learning with us.

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Credits:

Sound design: Max Gosford

Music composition: Rick Bull

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