Allize Mangar

I am a former Bhutanese refugee and I have lived in Nelson for 10 years. I came here in 2013 with my parents. I was fortunate enough to have gone through the school system where I learned English and vital skills to transition to New Zealand life.

Growing up here in Aotearoa as a refugee it was challenging to find community outside of Bhutanese refugees. This made me feel isolated from the wider Nelson which became even more paramount as I approached adulthood, that I connected with alike communities. Several years ago when I first attended one of Cultural Conversations events I was drawn to how it was so community. How a multiple culture and totally different people can be so well connected. A place I had to be a part of. So when Tanya approached me with an opportunity to host a courageous conversation with Deputy Mayor Rohan O’Steven Neil I immediately said yes. This was one of the great opportunities Cultural Conversations has provided for me. To connect with wider Nelsonian through live conversation events where I Seat with Rohan to have conversation of his life journey. Since then I have hosted and organized many events for the community, Getting the privilege to meet some awesome people.

Start of this year I had the opportunity of my lifetime through Cultural Conservations to attend one of the most amazing experiences of my life. To participate in the 21 days Southern Cross course at Outward Bound fully sponsored. This opportunity enabled me to connect with people like myself from around the nation. It has also provided the circumstances to find my values and principles to help me navigate in careers and in life.

Cultural Conversations has made a profound impact on me as an individual person. I have received countless opportunities through it to grow as a person like many other immigrants living in Whakatu. It has provided me space to express my authentic self and a place to connect with people from other cultures. It is a place for me where I can share my culture with other people.