Moving abroad

[Teresa]

My husband and I are thinking of moving abroad. We are looking at going to Brisbane in Australia. It looks like it is quite a long process to get there though what with the skills assessment and then the visa application, medicals etc but we are very keen so I hope it will all be worth it. We are just about to start off the process.

We are looking at Brisbane in particular as we visited the area and loved it and also my husbands uncle, aunt and cousins all live there so there would be a few friendly faces when we arrive.

Its a big life changing event but we are looking forward to starting a new life and just hope that our application goes through quite smoothly.

I just wondered if anyone else has moved abroad at all. How did you find it? Did you settle in OK? Also does anyone have any tips or advise?

[Verry Raspberry]

Hi Teresa,

Yes I have moved abroad (in fact I'm planning my next move right now). For me moving to a country where I didn't even know the language was both scary and exhilarating, and I think one of the most important things to take into account is your mindset, if you do want to move abroad, as opposed to having to do it. But in your case you want to do it, so I think you'll do OK in this front.

For me the cultural shock was quite big, since I came from a very expressive latin culture to a colder scandinavian one, but I tried to prepare myself for it by reading as much as I could about the culture and the country I was goint to be living at. Also, is very important that you keep reminding yourself that whenever you have a bad experience regarding a cultural difference, that it's not your fault, and people are not taking things personally against you, so that you won't become hostile towards people around you.

Besides your husband's family is there anyone else you know there? If not, I'd suggest you get in touch with people who, like you, are planning to emigrate from the UK to Australia (or have already done it), by doing this, you'll at least have the certainty that you'll have someone who understands exactly how confused you are, and maybe will share with you some good tips of where to buy marmite! ;-)

Having something to occupy your mind with is very important too, so that you won't get too depressed when you feel homesick. Take time to get to know the area where you live at, and maybe to take part in some community work, so that you'll be able to meet new people.

It's really a great experience, as it broadens your horizons in ways you never expected it would, hope you enjoy it! And I wish you all the luck in the world!

VR

[Teresa]

Hi VR

Where are you planning on moving to next? I'm not too good with languages so at least in Australia I shouldn't have too many problems.

I have found another forum all about emmigrating and have already had lots of advise on there which has been brilliant. It seems very good and people arrange to meet up so that could be one option for meeting people when we get there. They seem to understand the process and what we are about to do.

It is something that we want to do and I hope that we will both be able to throw ouselves in to our new lives and meet new friends. We have already started to do some research about the area and are trying to find out as much as possible so we are as prepared as we can be.

I think leaving my family and friends behind will be the hardest thing but I agree with you and having things to occupy your mind will hopefully help. I'm also hoping that with the internet and phone calls we will be able to keep in contact with everyone easily.

Thanks very much for your message and I wish you lots of luck with your next move.

[Verry Raspberry]

I'm moving to Belgium, with my fiancé :clap: , since it's in Flanders, it means I'll have to learn Dutch :brainache: At this point I'm both excited and scared, since this time I will have to look for a job after I've arrived, but I hope my experience in Sweden will help me cope with all the changes I'll experience :nod:

I have already gotten in touch with a group of Mexicans over there, who seem quite organized and meet quite often, so I know I won't be entirely alone there :smile:

Yes, telephone and internet are great ways of keeping in touch with people! I call my mum every week, so I'm aware of everything that's happening over there, and helps me feel a like I'm taking care of my roots as well.

[bisy backson]

hi teresa, we emigrated to australia 4 years ago and didn't know anyone out here, nor do we have any family out here.

i won't bore everyone with details on here (as i think most people have probably heard more than enough from me on this topic!) but if you want to pm me with any questions i'm more than happy to ramble on at length about it....

suffice to say we're very happy and have no intentions of coming back to england, and we shall hopefully be citizens in a couple of months :ellie:

bbxx

[MissDem]

hi Very Raspberry - oooh where are you moving to in Flanders? I lived in flanders for about 4 years but now I live in a French/German speaking area which is typical having finally learned Flemish haha!

[tigurr]

We moved to Sydney from the UK mid-Feb. DH got offered a job in Nov-Dec time so it was very quick time-wise... we hadn't even thought of emigrating before then.

I won't lie, it's been a huge challenge and almost destroyed my marriage and my sanity.

But we're slowly rebuilding both :smile:

However, we've decided to see how things are in 2 years and go from there - I can't imagine being here forever, that's just depressing... but I can (hopefully) hack a couple of years

[iGnome]

suffice to say we're very happy and have no intentions of coming back to england, and we shall hopefully be citizens in a couple of months :ellie:

bbxx

sheesh, citizenship standards must be dropping :lol:

I came over, with me olds when I was 7. The only thing I remember is being picked on at school for having a pommy accent. I have now recified that and have a strong aussie twang....much to my mothers horror. :bwahaha:


Hey tigs, glad to hear things are picking up a bit. I haven't rung you for ages. I feel bad :-( Have you settled in your home yet? Got all your things out to make it homely to you? Keep ya chin up. It may get easier, you may want to go back to UK. You won't be the first or the last.
Oh yeah, Tiggur has a funny accent :puzzled:

[tigurr]

sheesh, citizenship standards must be dropping :lol:

I came over, with me olds when I was 7. The only thing I remember is being picked on at school for having a pommy accent. I have now recified that and have a strong aussie twang....much to my mothers horror. :bwahaha:


Hey tigs, glad to hear things are picking up a bit. I haven't rung you for ages. I feel bad :-( Have you settled in your home yet? Got all your things out to make it homely to you? Keep ya chin up. It may get easier, you may want to go back to UK. You won't be the first or the last.
Oh yeah, Tiggur has a funny accent :puzzled:

Cheeky!

Don't feel bad re not phoning - I haven't phoned you either LOL. Settling in slowly, not got our things yet - am having so much fun with Pickfords (they've had my stuff in Sydney since 2 MAY!!!)

iGnome's accent is really weird :wink:

[Cherrypie]

Tigs, I'm glad things are gradually getting easier for you. We've been told a lot to give it two years for settling in. Homesickness and culture shock is apparantly very common, but if you give it at least a year then hopefully you'll be loving it.

Hope you get Pickfords sorted soon. Why on earth won't they let you have your stuff??

[tigurr]

Tigs, I'm glad things are gradually getting easier for you. We've been told a lot to give it two years for settling in. Homesickness and culture shock is apparantly very common, but if you give it at least a year then hopefully you'll be loving it.

Hope you get Pickfords sorted soon. Why on earth won't they let you have your stuff??

It's a computer problem apparently. The computer systems at Customs buggered up at Xmas. Our stuff arrived 2 May, got OK'd by customs, cleared through Quarantine... and is just waiting for the final release from Customs. They're having to do it all manually (by hand rather than on the PC) but it's still annoying as they've known about these problems for 6 months now and still don't have a contingency plan sorted.

Spoke to them today and should clear today or first thing tomorrow with delivery set for Friday hopefully.

As for settling - it is a HUGE shock. But everyone does say to give it a couple of years, which feels like a lifetime some days.

I guess the thing is that moving to Oz was never part of the "plan" - it was never really our big dream, so it's not like we've had to work our nuts off to get here. It came out of the blue and I honestly thought nothing would come of it.

Anyway, if we do 2 years and go back to the UK then I'll still only be 30 and at least we had the balls to up and do it :smile:

I've met loads of other expat-mums which has helped - some days you just want to say "I miss Tesco" to someone who understands :lol:

DH says that I've met more people in the past couple of months than I ever did in the 9yrs in Bedford - which is true.

If nothing else, this is a learning experience for us all. I'm starting to get to know "me" again.

We had been stuck in a rut and although we still have the same stuff here (like me getting stressed at DH not going near the dishwasher) it's been a real eye opener and it IS pretty funky to be in Sydney :smile:

I hope your visa-problems etc get sorted soon - def check out britishexpats.com though :smile:

[Cherrypie]

Glad the furniture thing should be sorted soon.

And thanks for your kind encouragement. Will def check out that website.