Chloe's story

My name is Chloe, and I’m currently studying a double degree in Media and Commerce at UNSW. My mother came to Australia as a refugee from Vietnam, and I’ve always been aware of how hard she worked to build a new life here. I’ve been very fortunate to be born and raised in Australia, but I still see the challenges my mum faced, and that many women in my community in Western Sydney continue to face, when it comes to getting an education, finding stable work, starting a business, and creating opportunities for their families.

That’s what motivated me to intern with JEINA. I connected deeply with JEINA’s mission because I’ve seen how hard it can be for women like my mum to find opportunities that recognise their skills and experience.

Having also benefited from UNSW Gateway, which helped myself and many peers in my community get into university, I know how life-changing it can be when people are given the right support and resources to succeed.

As JEINA’s PR and Communications Intern, I worked on creating brochures, pitch slides, and planning materials for upcoming projects. I focused on helping JEINA reach more women who could benefit from its programs while also engaging potential funders and community partners. Working at JEINA opened my eyes to the everyday barriers migrant women face, from balancing family responsibilities to navigating new systems and opportunities. It made me appreciate how important it is for organisations like JEINA to exist and continue growing.

My time at JEINA also helped me grow in my own career path. I was able to apply what I’ve learned in my degree to real projects, build professional communication skills, and gain hands-on experience that I know will help me in the future. More importantly, it reminded me why I want to work in this field, to use communication as a way to share meaningful stories and create positive change.