How long does it take before an Immigrant is fully adjusted to their Australian life? A couple of years, perhaps? It’s different for everyone. But one thing’s for sure. Within your first few years in Australia, you will encounter a variety of challenges as it is a normal part of the journey.
Having only been here in Australia for over a year and a half, I’m still in the process, myself. Something that has really helped me along the way are the advice that I got from my fellow immigrants. This why I want to share a few tips based on my own experience in the hopes that I’ll be able to help you in someway.
Learn Aussie English
English is the main language spoken here in Australia. Assuming that you have a good command in the English language (it’ll be hard for you otherwise), I still highly suggest that you familiarise yourselves with Aussie English. Why? Three reasons. Because Australians tend to shorten most words, Aussie slang words are used regularly, and of course the accent. Being familiar with these should make your everyday interactions as well as your adjustment as a whole, a lot easier.
Meet new people
As the saying by John Donne goes, ‘No man is an island’. But when you move to another country, it won’t take long till you feel like you’re all by yourself. You’ve left a huge part of your life behind. This includes your social circle, your friends and family.
However it’s essential that you put yourself out there and meet new people. You can do so by participating in multicultural events, joining/ volunteering for organisations of your interest, or at school if you’ll be studying. These people that you’ll meet will play a key part in your integration in the community. They may give you useful information, point you to the right direction (ex. jobs), serve as your ‘reference’ in applications (ex. rent), or as a source of inspiration and friendship.
Learn and Immerse in the culture
Since Australia is a cultural melting pot, you won’t have a hard time finding people from your country of origin. Though most might find that more comforting, I think that it’s still important to make friends with the other locals. Talking to different groups of people would help open your eyes to the different aspects of Australian culture. And the more you are exposed to it, the easier it will be to adapt.
Manage your expectations
Most immigrants have a sense of hope and excitement about their future in their new country. But these feelings are quickly mixed with anxiety, sadness, and the likes during the initial phases of their move. On your first year here in Australia, you may experience some emotional extremes due to difficulties in relation to finding a job, a place to rent, or lack of social support. Though Australia is a great country with lots to offer, you would still encounter problems specially in your first few years. But not to worry, in this transitional phase, you will discover how to thrive and adapt if you manage your expectations.
Get a job and don’t be too picky
Is it just me or have you also noticed that a lot of the immigrants here had better professions back in their ‘home’ country? I’ve met a lot of people who were teachers, lawyers, managers, etc. before coming to Australia but when they were starting out, they had to do jobs they never thought they would. Teachers have become cleaners, lawyers have become carers, and managers became kitchen hands.
The reason why I’m sharing this is to show you that there’s nothing wrong with getting jobs ‘as such’ even if you used to be a ‘professional’ back in your country. It might be hard to swallow at first but, get whatever job it is that you can because you need it to survive. You can always work towards something better in the future if you like. But in saying that, be sure that you know your rights in the workplace because unfortunately, you may be taken advantage of like I’ve been before.
Budget your Money
When coming up with a budget, there are more things to consider other than your daily spending. There are big initial expenses involved when migrating, such as your deposit for rent, money to buy a car, and insurance fees. Also, don’t forget to set aside some money for visa fees (if applicable) and for tax, just in case.
Get your Aussie driver’s license or learn to use public transportation
Depending on where in Australia you’ll live it may be easier for you to drive than to use public transportation. Now if you live in a major city, using public transport (buses, trains, trams etc.) might be a better choice for you. It differs per city so do a quick online search to familiarise yourself with how.
But wherever you live, it’s never a bad idea to get a driver’s license. I suggest that you work on it early on in the move as it may take some time in some circumstances. For example, you may need to first be in your Learner’s license for a year before you’ll be eligible to sit the test for your P license. You may also have to try a couple of times before you pass your practical driving test. Start the process as soon as you can.
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Know where to get essential services
You never know when emergencies will arise so I think it will be a good idea to know where the essential services are and how to contact them. These are:
- Hospital
- Police
- Legal Aid/ Community legal centres
- Main government offices
- Bank
- Other organisations relevant to you
Maintain a good relationship with your landlord
Anyone who’s ever had to apply for a rental property in Australia would know that it’s a tough market to penetrate. It’s very competitive. This is why you should maintain a good relationship with your landlord/ real estate agent. You’d need them as your reference for the next time you move. Make sure that you pay on time, don’t be too difficult, and leave the property clean and in good condition.
Stay connected to home
Your mental health would definitely be challenged when you migrate to Australia. To keep yourself sane, be sure to stay connected to the people you left overseas. It’s not difficult to do anymore. All you need to have is your phone/ computer and an internet connection.
Don’t forget to have some fun
While there would be a lot of stresses, don’t forget to have fun. Australia is a beautiful country. Enjoy its relaxing nature and beaches, roam around the CBD, go on a food trip or on a night out with the girls/boys.
Learn how to adapt to the weather
For the most part, Australia is almost always very hot but it’s nothing you can’t get used to. Though, I do have a couple of tips to help you adapt. These are:
- Your car will be very hot. Be careful when touching any part of the car if it’s been under the sun. Specially the buckles of the seat belts and the steering wheel, in my experience.
- Use clothing that protects you from the sun (hat, UPF sun protective clothing, etc.)
- Use your sunnies when you’re out and about, specially when driving.
- Always wear sunscreen (I’m still trying to make this a habit).
- Hydrate
- Avoid going out at noon. It’s hottest around that time in my experience.
Oh yeah, the animals
I’ve said this many times before, contrary to popular belief, Australia isn’t filled with dangerous creatures at every turn. However, there are still situations where you’d need to be careful of some animals. Examples of this are:
- When driving in SOME roads, make sure to look out for kangaroos, wallabies, emus, horses, etc.
- When at the beach, be careful of what you touch or step on. It might be venomous.
- Always check your shoes before putting them on. You never know if there’s something like a dangerous spider inside.
Don’t forget about your visa
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the daily life. Make sure though that you don’t forget the things that you need to do for your visa application. Do you have any deadlines coming up? Any paperwork, requirements, or evidence that you need to supply?
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My Aussie Story is a place dedicated to helping immigrants in Australia. This is where I share my experiences here as I make Australia my home. By following My Aussie Story’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and by subscribing to our newsletter, you’ll be one of the firsts to know when we update our blog. Our posts aim to help you navigate your life as an immigrant in Australia, a little bit easier.
Disclaimer All content and information in this post is for purposes of sharing my experiences only, does not constitute professional advice and does not establish any kind of professional-client relationship.
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