Integration and Satisfaction Among Resettled Bhutanese in Australia

Abstract

Bhutan’s population design out of unfounded fears led to eviction of over 20% of the country’s population, mostly Nepali speakers. It was not an ethnic cleansing. It was a Bhutan’s best effort to avoid democracy and respect human rights. The efforts to return to Bhutan failed. Most of them are now resettled in developed countries. The data included in this article were driven from primary research conducted by the author in August 2018. It was found that the lives of the resettled Bhutanese people have germinated with new hopes and new vision for future. They have embraced their new country and connection with Bhutan is gradually eroding. The connection would have benefited both resettled Bhutanese and Bhutan. This paper provides basic background of the Bhutanese refugee issue but focuses primarily on integration of resettled Bhutanese in South Australia, their psychological attachments with Bhutan and Australia, and the way they are coping up with language challenges, cultural shocks and identity issues.