Refugee or Migrant?

Thousands of refugees have fled their home country over the past year. Mahya was one of them. Watch the video to find out more about Some of them have come to Australia. So next we're going to take a look at what a refugee actually is and how they're different to the thousands of migrants that come here to live too.

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• voluntarily - done because you want to and not because you have no other choice
• force to leave - to make it necessary for someone to leave
• gender - the state of being male or female
• confusing - difficult to understand
• charity - an organization that helps people who need help
• volunteer - a person who does work without getting paid to do it
• overseas - in or to a foreign country that is across a sea or ocean
• face challenges - meet with difficult problems that you will have to try and solve

Before you watch the video

1. Tell or write down what you think the difference is between refugees and migrants.

First read the assignment. Next watch the video. Make notes to help you do the assignment.

1. Which country did Georgia come from? And Mahya?


2. Name the different reasons why the girls moved to Australia.


3. For each girl name the thing or things they found difficult about moving to Australia.


4. Finish the following sentences:
   A migrant is a person who ..........................................................................
   A refugee is someone who ..........................................................................

Finally, go back to your explanation of the difference between refugees and migrants. Would you change your words now? If so, how?