CTM5198

On 06/05/2018 at 17:59, simmo said:

You sound like an intelligent young lady.  Yes Australia is beautiful but lets be honest, it can be a bit boring (especially for the young).  I totally understand your yearning for England. 

Aw thanks! And yes boring... and hot. I don’t think I can stand another summer tbh, especially after this lengthy one we’ve just had. 

6 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Yes, it's easy to decide where you want to be when you're coming from a deprived background.  In my case, it wasn't the economic conditions that got to me, it was more about personalities.  Where I come from in the UK, people still live their lives based on "what will the neighbours think" (you may be too young to know who Hyacinth Bouquet was, but that's all my aunties rolled into one).  I'm much too frank and non-conformist to ever be comfortable in that atmosphere, whereas Australia puts up with me.

Don’t get me started  I have certainly been acquainted to the Hyacinth Bouquet personality and my God is it stifling...

1 hour ago, Marisawright said:

I'm not sure I'd call it reverse culture shock.  I'd call it "the scales falling from your eyes"!  

To give an extreme example, have you read the book "Room"?   It's about a little boy who grows up in captivity (it's based on the Fritzl case).   Because he's never known anything else, he's perfectly happy in the Room.  it's only when he escapes and then goes back to look at the Room with clear eyes, he can see what he's been missing out on.

Of course I'm not saying the UK is a terrible place, just that you can't make an accurate judgment on anything unless you  have something to compare it with.  For instance, I'm very glad I spent three years in Swaziland (on an aid scheme) before I emigrated to Australia.   Africa was a difficult and stressful gig, and for the whole three years I couldn't wait to get back to the UK.  However when I did get back to my home town, I realised how much I'd painted it with a rosy glow while I was away.  I realised how closed-in people's horizons were, and  I couldn't go back to that small world. 

It's interesting that I couldn't immediately compare the UK and Africa as soon as I got to Africa.  I had to go back to the UK to see it again before I could judge properly.  

Australia wasn't perfect either, of course.  if I hadn't had the experience of living in Africa, I might've been thinking fondly of my life in the UK, and run back to it.  However, because I'd been to Africa and returned to see my home town with clearer eyes, I wasn't fooled by the rosy-glow memories.

Yes it’s all about perspective! Your experience in Africa reminds me of the many migrants in Australia who come from developing & least developed countries - they are completely satisfied with their life here and view Australia as ‘heaven’ simply because they are contrasting their past living conditions (perhaps war, famine, etc...) with greener pastures, like with the example you gave about the novel, Room. Migrants coming from developed countries will be looking at different things when determining quality of life. But thanks for that perspective on things!

2 hours ago, ali said:

I think you're at a good age to explore and travel.  Having duel citizenship doesn't close any doors to you and if you find that living/working in the UK isn't what you want after a few years, you can always return to Aus.

My son was 7 when we migrated and despite remembering very little about living in the UK retains his Englishness whilst his sister who was 11 describes herself as an English born Australian.  My son (now 18) travelled back to the UK with his Dad in January for his birthday trip which was a football tour - he absolutely loved it, but did say that he didn't think he could live there - he was too cold (lol) and felt a little closed in.

Life is for living and nothing ventured nothing gained - it's a great opportunity when you finish your degree.

Yeah I’ve heard stories about people going back to the UK for a visit, and experiencing a reverse culture shock - “omg I can’t believe I actually used to live here, in this cold, crowded place with monotonous-looking houses”. 

2 hours ago, Gbye grey sky said:

I reckon that 15 would be a tricky age to migrate and adapt.....particularly given that at that age it is not your decision to come in the first place.  It is why we emigrated 3 years ago when our daughter was 11 rather than wait until this year which would have been better for us (work and money reasons).

She did not initially want to come but has assimilated very well, is happy, and rarely mentions England now.  I doubt that would have been the case if we had waited until she was 14/15.

Yeah cos at 15, you’re kinda at the point where people have already forged their relationships and connections since primary school or at the beginning of secondary school and are about to dissipate for university.

3 hours ago, Quoll said:

Nope, you’re not bonkers! I agree with what the others have said - the world is your oyster, you’re lucky you can make a choice once you’re done with Uni. My eldest always thought of himself as an Aussie even though he was born in UK and we moved to Aus when he was 6 months old. He went to U.K. on a post uni gap year holiday in 2002! He’s like a pig in muck, has a good job, a house and a family and can’t even be bothered to renew his Aussie passport. (Maybe it’s his genetic memory ..... discussed in another thread about “belonging”).  You should be ok with Aussie degree qualifications but the magic word “honours” might be a good insurance when you’re looking at comparing against UK graduates.  

It wont be the same as you remember but it’ll be a new adventure!

That’s really funny though, how it didn’t take 2 seconds for him to re-integrate into British life . An honours is definitely something I was planning, just to have that competitive edge.

1 hour ago, Skani said:

I don't think it's strange at all.  After all, you've spent three quarters of your life in the UK so it's a major part of your identity and probably will remain so for the rest of your life....wherever you end up.  This stage of your life - well, once you've graduated - when you are unencumbered by relationships, children, mortgage etc. is when you are free to travel and live anywhere.  That is how you really discover yourself and what suits you as an individual.   Don't feel you have to justify yourself to anyone...you don't need their permission....just do what feels right for you.  

Some wise words there... Thank you! 

2 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

20 would be a difficult time to move. You had your way of life sorted, mates, sense of humour, fashion, music, sport.

Come here and everythings different, even your haircut might look a bit strange. You are maybe trying to get on with guys your age who've been surfing, skateboarding and playing aussie rules or rugby all their lives.

It's bound to be tough. Girls would be totally different too.

I get what you mean. I am already being told over Skype that my accent has changed so that’s not a good start ... 

6 hours ago, newjez said:

What are you studying at university? Some degrees it's easier to get work without experience than others. Especially if you are not in the country you graduated from. Also, the bigger the university the more chance someone has heard about it.

I’m doing a double degree in Law & Business at Western Sydney University Parramatta, which is of course not the best of unis nor would it be as universally recognised as the Russell Group or Red Brick unis in the UK. From what I hear though, it’s harder to qualify as a lawyer in the UK due to the training contract requirement, but jobs are probably less competitive than in Australia due to a bigger legal market.

7 hours ago, Marisawright said:

Let's face it, both countries have problems!   Every country has good points and bad points, so it comes down to a matter of personal taste.  I know what you mean about British people having a television idea of Australia.  I also think too many Brits assume that just because the weather is sunny, it must automatically be a lovely place to live - when there's so much more than weather to consider.  Look at the number of British people who move to Spain or Italy in their retirement - more than half of them move back when they realise that weather isn't everything.

I can see the pro's and con's of both countries and on balance, Australia just wins for me.  Other people will look at the good and bad and choose the UK.   And some will feel an instinctive pull to one or the other.   We're all different so don't let anyone tell you which one you "should" choose.

Yeah I’ve heard people describe Australia as “Just a Sunny Britain” but that’s obviously not the most accurate description . All I can say is good for you! Good to hear that Australia is working well for you. An interesting insight, thanks for that!

7 hours ago, snifter said:

It’s quite normal. Tbh you came out with your parents as a kid. It wasn’t your choice to make ultimately.

I’d go with where you feel happy and settled and can call home. May be the UK, may be  Aus and may be somewhere else entirely if you do some travelling or some such and find a place you love and want to spend some time living in. I’d have your trip back and see how you feel after retuning to Aus. Plus you have a uni course to complete I’d guess so you most likely can’t rush into anything. But you can plan for the not too distant future  

Yeah that’s true. And yeah it’s funny to think that I came here as a naive 15 year old and still have an attachment to home. I’m still young I guess so no hurry...

7 hours ago, Metalhead_89 said:

No your not crazy! I have been here (Adelaide) just shy of a decade and am now starting to feel the urge to go home. I know the U.k isnt perfect and it has its problems but there are somethings that are wonderful about it. The culture, the seasons (hate the hot weather) being so close the europe, a traditional English pub!!.  Australia is beautiful but Ive never felt like I belong here - I dont understand the people or there mentality, I think if you are an older person with a young family it would be a wonderful place to raise a young family but as a young-er person I miss all that the U.K and Europe has to offer. Just my 2 cents

Yeah I agree. Every country has its flaws but it’s the things that make the UK unique, that makes me miss home, no matter how crappy the weather can be  (I can’t stand the heat either). 

13 minutes ago, Toots said:

It would also be very handy if  you have your Australian citizenship before you decide to return to the UK.  

Yep definitely! 

6 minutes ago, Toots said:

Plenty of people feel the same way.  If you prefer the UK, you can move back to work and live there once you finish uni.  See how you feel after your visit in July.  

That’s good to hear! And yeah I’ll treat this visit as a ‘taster’ and see where my feelings lie. And yes you’re right, probably best to finish uni here first (or else I’d be paying international fees back home thanks to the 3-year residency rule for home fees).

Hi! So I’m a 20 year old uni student and I moved out to Sydney with my parents in late 2013. Recently, I’ve been feeling extremely homesick and thankfully I’m going back home for a visit in July. I’ve been homesick to the extent that I’ve been making jokes about not coming back to Australia after my trip. One thing that is kinda bothering me is that I feel like an outlier or a weirdo, missing the UK & preferring it over Australia. I feel like I have to justify myself to other Brits (and never really Aussies), especially to those back in the UK who seem to have a television snapshot of Australian life. I get that we all have our various preferences, likes and dislikes but are my reasons rational? Australia is beautiful, I must admit, but my reasons the aspects I miss about the UK certainly outweigh the positives of Australia. Is this natural? 

27 minutes ago, calNgary said:

Wow is the wait really 10 - 14 months now a days? Thats ridiculous.

As the above post says your PR wont be cancelled but if it expires whilst you are out of the country you will not be allowed back in (or at least ,have lots of hassle trying to) unless you have a RRV. When does your PR visa expire ?

Cal x

Just checked my VEVO and turns out it expires in July 2019. Which is great meaning I should have nothing to worry about. I was a little confused as to when it’s status is cancelled, but if it’s not until the ceremony then that’s perfect.

Thanks! 

3 hours ago, Nemesis said:

Your visa is not cancelled until you attend the ceremony. Until then you can travel as normal - with a RRV if necessary

Perfect. Guess it’s just a case of notifying immigration of the proposed travel dates that I didn’t put in the application.

1 minute ago, calNgary said:

They're still dealing with the huge backlog caused by the citizenship bill I understand.

Yep, was certainly the case. They froze applications from the date of announcement, right through the bill’s scrutiny. They even temporarily dismantled the online application service for citizenship, if my memory serves me right. Normally it would have taken roughly 7 months, I believe.

Hello  so I've recently lodged a citizenship application and one of the pages required me to fill out any possible future travel, with exact dates (which I assumed was for emergency/urgent travel that was deemed absolutely necessary). I've heard rumours of how "you're not allowed to leave Australia in the timeframe between your application lodgement and the response date (AKA the date when they organise the test)". I wanted to know if this was true? - The Department of Immigration site isn't too clear and only stipulates that you can't travel before your ceremony, as your PR will be cancelled thus requiring you to return to Aus on a RRV (correct me if I'm wrong). It's been over 4 years since I left England, I'm becoming very homesick and 10-14 months is an awfully long time.