After her family fled Burma (now Myanmar) due to civil war, Elizabeth Jowanie was born in a Thai refugee camp, where she lived for 13 years.
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Eleven years ago, Ms Jowanie's family were granted a humanitarian visa by the Australian government.
The Wollongong resident shared her story as Illawarra Sports High School took part in the fifth Illawarra Refugee Challenge on Wednesday.
"I get to share with the students my experience, and they get to see that perspective and have more understanding of the experience, coming from a person who has lived through it," the 24-year-old said.
"I hope the students have more compassion for people who have lived as refugees."
The event was a collaboration of the school, Wollongong City Council and the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra.
The school's year 11 society and culture students - with the assistance of students and community members such as Ms Jowanie who have lived refugee experience - relayed the journey of a refugee to year 9 and 10 students.
Ms Jowanie, who now works as a nurse and as an interpreter, was present on Wednesday to address students.
"I hope that because we are all humans, that we have more understanding of each other, and get to know each other's stories," Ms Jowanie said.
"Because I love to learn about other people's stories, from people who are different from me.
"And I hope people (afterwards) are more compassionate for one another and be kind to each other."
Students moved between stations featuring group discussions on topics such as 'the journey', 'leaky boat', 'shelter' and 'food'.
Year 11's Bianca Attard was one of the students presenting at the 'leaky boat' station, outlining the difficult conditions that refugees faced when escaping war-stricken countries to travel to Australia.
"It's about how hard it is, and how sometimes their boats sink," she said.
"We're trying to show that most of the people can't swim, they don't have a lot of food and water... Sometimes there's engine failure, they get sent away, they get sick."
The annual event takes place at a different Illawarra school each year.
About 200 students took part throughout the day.
Deputy principal Michael Owen said during the past several weeks, the year 11 students have been learning about the refugee experience, and became the facilitators for the group discussions on Wednesday.
"They're learning not only about issues that are important in the world, but they're also learning the skill of presenting and leading," he said.
"Hopefully our students take away the knowledge that there are other people in the world that are not part of their micro-world, that have different experiences and very difficult experiences.
"Hopefully it opens the students up to become a global citizen; mature, and understanding of the complex issues that the world faces for humanity in the future."
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
