From homeland to home: evaluating the impact of LEAP-Macquarie Mentoring (Refugee Mentoring) program on mentees

This paper examines the impact of the LEAP-Macquarie Mentoring (Refugee Mentoring) program on high school students from refugee backgrounds who are mentees on the program. A qualitative study was completed involving five focus groups, individual and semi structured interviews with 54 mentees. Transcripts of interview and focus groups were analysed using a grounded approach. This led to the formation of a case study on a mentee who was now at university and involved in the program as an ambassador. Key findings highlighted that the LEAP-Macquarie Mentoring (Refugee Mentoring) program supported students in making a smooth personal, social, and academic transition from high school to university, helped them develop leadership potential, and provided them with a connection to community. In the long term this works to re-establish social capital, enhances resilience and empowers students to be role models.