“The first thing that happens when you move to a new culture, a new community, is that it’s just a culture shock,” Ms Alruhaimi said.

“Everything is different, when you arrive to the airport you’re shocked by the Aussie accent, you don’t know what to say.”

Determined to see other families settle into the relaxed Australian lifestyle more simply, Ms Alruhaimi headed up the International Hub – a 101 on Australian culture.

Now, she is the winner of the International Alumni PIEoneer award, for her innovative programs supporting international students and their families.

In Iraq, Ms Alruhaimi worked as an understudy English teacher.

But, when she moved to Australia she found the language she knew was far cry from the English spoken in the bush.

“The first thing we struggle with is the English language, although we used to learn English in our primary and secondary school – it’s not like the real world,” Ms Alruhaimi said.

“Language is so important just to survive, to communicate at the register at Coles or Woolies, reading the ingredients in products, because some Muslim people are vegetarian.

“When I arrived here I was shocked, I couldn’t communicate, it’s like separate worlds.”

Moving to Armidale to study at the University of New England, Ms Alruhaimi also found that there was limited support for her family.

“This project does something that a lot of others don’t,” Ms Alruhaimi said.

“It’s focused on the families, the families are a key factor in the success of the student.

“The environment matters – happy wife, happy life.”

The International Hub provides programs to help these families settle in, find friends and keep safe.

Offering English language lessons, swimming lessons for Muslim women and their children in a private pool, tennis lessons, a children’s playgroup and driving lessons on the left-hand side of the road aim to encourage these families to stay in Australia. 

Her next project? A Zumba exercise class for women on campus.