Student says more help needed to fit in

By Kripa Achan

A Ghanaian law student living in Sydney believes there is "empirical and anecdotal" evidence that some immigrants from Africa have been unable to adjust to Australian culture.

But Maxwell Ababio pointed to lack of jobs and a lack of English, plus media and government prejudice as the reasons for the alleged lack of integration that was highlighted by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews, in August.

Mr Andrews said he had altered the ethnic make-up of Australia's intake of refugees because Sudanese people tended not to fit in with "the Australian way of life".

Mr Ababio, affectionally known as Max to his fellow students at the University of Technology, Sydney, said he has researched the issue at length and concluded that, while there was some truth in Mr Andrews' claims, African immigrants needed more help to fit in.

"There is empirical and anecdotal evidence to substantiate claims of lack of integration," he said.
"Certainly there is an element of truth, however I think it is much more important to address the fundamental issues which are affecting integration, namely lack of employment, poor English proficiency and inherent prejudices fuelled by the media and other government agencies."

Mr Ababio, who has lived in Australia for a decade, said his own experiences had been overwhelmingly positive, and most Australians are not racist.

"I think it has been great, people are appreciative of culture and difference," he said.

Mr Ababio said coming to Australia has given him and other immigrants "the opportunity to highlight their background, culture and educate others, perhaps on a different way of life."

Sporting the helicopter cap that has become something of a personal trademark, Mr Ababio is easily recognisable to his peers in the UTS Law faculty, but was surprised to hear that he is popular.

"Really? That's interesting but yeah, thanks. I think campus life at UTS is great, people are friendly, and always helping each other, so it's really good."