I may only have been here four months but I know the feelings I have been going through, and they are as important to me as are yours no matter how long you put up with them for.
That's very true
Geez I'm cranky lately, must be time for a holiday 8)
If they really wanted to help people they could do a show just comparing lifestyle, costs, bureaucracy etc without the human element. Just my 2c
I do see what you mean, Ian, but iIthink there's a different way of looking at this. I'm about to go to Melbourne on my own, but what's a little different about my situation is that this is my third emigration, having previously lived in the US and NZ.
At the moment I'm very much caught up in practical questions, such as what sort of housing I'm going to be able to afford etc. But at the same time, I know that feeling at home really does come down to little things that you might not think about. For example, the simple pleasure of reading a paper takes a while to regenerate when you move to a new culture, as it takes a while to pick up on the events surrounding you. So I suppose you could argue that complaining about the way the glass breaks is an expression of a deeper discomfort at finding yourself in a world where almost everything is different. Perhaps this is hard on English people because we tend to falsely believe that we'll fit right in as there is no language barrier.
I thought "A New Life Down Under" was hugely exploitative of many of the families involved. Despite this, I have found it a useful resource in that it shows aspects of Australia that you won't find in the travel brochures. The fact that shows like this have to be entertaining before they are anything else means that they will always be exploitative, but I don't think that makes them bad, necessarily.
Just my point of view. I'd be interested to know what the rest of you think, amy included.
We watched all of the programmes we mentioned and yes we found them valuable. They showed some of the aspects of Australian life that isnt portrayed in the glossy travel agent brochures. We only picked one up the other day for the kids to cut out the photos and maps to look at ;-) The programmes showed the level of homesickness but it also showed the positive aspects of the big move. Dont forget though that they werent all negative ie some of the folk stayed on. ;-)
What I think would be good would be a real life programme or a series of shorts from people all over the continent covering a range of emotions/attitudes going a bit more into what they thought Australia held for them, how they have found the culture shock, what were the good and bad points of moving - the experience of the flight, what they have discovered about themselves. Theres a lot of determination involved too. Also things like who they have made friends with - was it with the australian folk or have they mixed only with british folk or a mix of both.
Also stuff like everyday things like plants, wildlife etc in an educational point of view. What I did find did not help was the backpackers guides as they were useless as they covered the tourist aspect but I guess as lots of people backpack then those folk wouldve enjoyed that iykwim.
We couldnt find a David Attenborough programme type thing to introduce Australia to us in respect of the native wildlife and environment-that would be a help to those choosing to emigrate too.
This is turning into a mini novel!
;-)
Basically what I think is that these programmes are interesting but that often they feature someone moaning and comparing things but then again the folk that migrated are under a lot of stress and what I know is that usually it takes a couple of years not a couple of months to get settled and this requires determination and flexibility on their part. These programmes did not depict that in the whole.
This discussion does not really have a "right" or "correct" side to it.
Those who wish to take part in such pograms, WILL take part. Those who wish to watch such programs, WILL watch them. As for those people that dislike such programs, for whatever reasons, simply do as you would with the likes of "NEIGHBOURS" or "HOME AND AWAY" , don't watch.
For some people there are elements of all these programs that are useful in helping them decide to make the biggest move of their lives, even if it's just an insight into what the country looks like, as it would appear, a good many people on these forums are looking to emigrate without ever having been there.......not something I would care to do. However, each to their own way of doing things.
On the subject of whether the participants of these programs are being paid.........I would sincerely hope so.
I am pretty sure that the partipants in thee programmes do not get paid. 'Reality TV' is cheap TV for that reason, it seems. God knows why they get involved with it if no dosh is headed their way.
I am a typical Expat Brat. I was born into a family of Old Colonials in the Far East. I was born in Malaysia. I came to Boarding School in the UK when I was 7.
There is not a lot that anyone can tell me about what homesickness feels like, or aboit how to deal with it.
I am a typical Expat Brat. I was born into a family of Old Colonials in the Far East. I was born in Malaysia. I came to Boarding School in the UK when I was 7.
There is not a lot that anyone can tell me about what homesickness feels like, or aboit how to deal with it.
Gill
:?: Now I am confused I thought this thread was about weather people agreed with a certain type of TV program or not.
After all Gill it was you who said that people should not navel gaze and put the wrong right.
My two bobs worth - It was Moving Down Under or whatever it was called that 'inspired' me that it was possible and easy to do....As with all reality TV programs - the producers can and will manipulate to ensure there is a story - The good guys and the bad!
I don't think there's anthing wrong with it aslong as the people in the show were aware of how the show will pan out...I was once in a TV show and it was evident that once the final cut was made that the folk in the showns personalities were to an extent made up to suit what the audience may have wanted - some times out of context.
I don't really watch too much of these shows and don't see any thing wrong with them either way! :D
My two bobs worth - It was Moving Down Under or whatever it was called that 'inspired' me that it was possible and easy to do....As with all reality TV programs - the producers can and will manipulate to ensure there is a story - The good guys and the bad!
I don't think there's anthing wrong with it aslong as the people in the show were aware of how the show will pan out...I was once in a TV show and it was evident that once the final cut was made that the folk in the showns personalities were to an extent made up to suit what the audience may have wanted - some times out of context.
I don't really watch too much of these shows and don't see any thing wrong with them either way! :D
Hi Tim
How are you :?:
I can remeber when living in Australia was just a dream, watching a LIfe Down Under or whatever they called it, and it giving us a good in sight that not all would be a bed of roses.
I think the part that stuck in my mind was about one family that did nothing but complain about what c*** was on Australian TV :lol: funny that.
Aussie TV - Such a range of quality, well though out, stimulating and exciting shows on offer .....I don't know how I could do without it! :o
Better not say too much as the better half is a fan of Home & Away - I think it makes up for Eastenders and Corrie!
They say that 80% of Uk migrants end up going back home anyway. I have a friend who sold up every thing including the kitchen sink and went to da USA, spent six months there and hated it, came back to te UK and had to start again with the house, job, furniture.... certainly migrating is not an easy decision...
