Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr Kasongo lived among the fallout of the Congolese Civil Wars.

The wars brought about the end of military dictator Mobutu Sese Seko’s 32-year-reign and consequently destroyed the country.

“Back home with experiences of war that never change, you see that no systems are working, no government is looking out for the people,” Mr Kasongo said.

“One thing I could always remember was that there was fighting, there were always other countries coming in and invading my country – once I got out of there I realised how messy the country was.”

Mr Kasongo has applied to become an Australian citizen and is expected to receive his citizenship conferral in April.

Studying a Bachelor of Engineering Technology Mr Kasongo said his move to Australia has opened up a world of opportunities.

“Becoming an Australian citizen is very important for me, it’s a privilege,” he said.

“I feel very comfortable living in Australia, life is easy and you can see what you have to do if you want to do better in life – you’re given opportunities but in the Congo there are no opportunities."

Mr Kasongo and his family were held in a refugee camp in Uganda for two years until they were transferred to Sydney and assigned to live in Inverell.

Families can spend many years in refugee camps.

“I know families who have spent 20 years in a refugee camp because no country will take them in,” Mr Kasongo said.

Living in Australia since 2003, Mr Kasongo said he is happy he was given the opportunity to start a new life.

“In my own view, living in Inverell we felt we were 100 per cent welcome, living in Armidale it’s the same thing,” he said.

In his experience, Australians have been overwhelmingly accepting – but he understands not everyone welcomes refugees.

“I don’t think people should feel forced to help refugees, it’s very strange,” he said.

“My grandfather used to tell me how people would move tribe to tribe, they wouldn’t be accepted somewhere. [sic]

“They had to keep moving, where they settle down – that’s where they’re meant to be.”

Mr Kasongo said he didn’t want people to feel refugees were trying to impose their own way of life, rather, they were trying to contribute.

“Being in Australia is 100 per cent more happiness [sic] than the life I was living,” he said.