In Part 6 of Course Correction’s special series on refugees and forcibly displaced people, host Nelufar Hedayat talks to weightlifter, nurse, and refugee Cyrille Tchatchet about his journey.
Note: This episode discusses suicide and suicidal thoughts.
In the final installment of our six-part series about the refugee experience, host Nelufar Hedayat talks to weightlifter, nurse, and refugee Cyrille Tchatchet. A native of Cameroon, Tchatchet first came to the United Kingdom in 2014 to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Feeling that it was too unsafe to return home, he became a refugee, experiencing both homelessness and depression. With support, Tchatchet went on to win multiple weightlifting titles and became a mental health nurse. His story underscores some of the hardships that refugees face—and what can be achieved when people have the support and opportunities they need to succeed in their adopted countries.
Listener Challenge
During this season of Course Correction, we’re challenging you to reflect on different aspects of the refugee experience and share your thoughts with us. Our last challenge is a place for storytelling. If you are a refugee, our challenge is simple: Share your story with us. Tell us how you came to be displaced, what obstacles you face, and what your hopes and dreams are for the future.
Please share with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or tweet directly to our host, Nelufar Hedayat.
About Course Correction: [video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Course_Correction_Trailer.mp4" poster="https://foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Course_Correction_Trailer.jpg"][/video] The UN estimates that there are 84 million forcibly displaced people around the world, and nearly 27 million of those are considered refugees. These numbers are the highest they have ever been. For season three of Course Correction, Doha Debates is partnering with UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, to illuminate all aspects of the refugee experience. Over the course of six episodes, host Nelufar Hedayat will speak with refugees and other forcibly displaced persons and hear their stories—from the moment they leave their homes to their eventual resettlement or return, detailing arduous journeys that can sometimes last years or even decades. We’ll examine the challenges that stateless people face, the work being done to assist them, and the ways in which the global community can provide further support and solutions. See All Episodes
More Course Correction episodes:
Part V: The Path to Permanence
In Part 5 of Course Correction’s special series on refugees and forcibly displaced people, host Nelufar Hedayat talks to actor and U.N. goodwill ambassador Mahira Khan about the role host countries play in a refugee’s journey.
Part IV: Pursuing Education
In Part 4 of Course Correction’s special series on refugees and forcibly displaced people, host Nelufar Hedayat talks to actor and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett about the importance of education for refugees.
Part III: Healing the Mind
In Part 3 of Course Correction’s special series on refugees and forcibly displaced people, we look at the mental health risks that refugees around the world face and what it takes to heal these lesser visible threats.
Other Foreign Policy podcasts:

Foreign Policy Playlist
From Foreign Policy, a curated podcast where each week we introduce you to one podcast from around the world—shows featuring interesting stories or compelling interviews and analysis on international affairs. And occasionally you’ll hear audio from our own newsroom. Join FP’s Laura Rosbrow-Telem for this curated podcast.

I Spy
Spies don’t talk—it’s the cardinal rule of the business. But here at Foreign Policy, we get them to open up. On I Spy, we hear from the operations people: the spies who steal secrets, who kill adversaries, who turn agents into double agents. Each episode features one spy telling the story of one operation. Want swag? Check out I Spy's merch by clicking here.