Has Austraia changed?... slowly getting prepared for the move in a couple of yrs..

[Wojtek]

Hey.

 

Ive written a few times here, but cant remember iof I have gotten into much detail with our situation, so I'll write in general what we have facing us.

 

I have been brought up in Australia from age 6 to 18, so my whole childhood has been there. I am an Aussie citizen (citizenship by grant). My wife and I have two small children, who I have taken care of the citozenship by descent papers for, so they too have their Aussie passports. FINALLY, after about 9 months of waiting, my wife has had her partner visa approved (Maaan, 7thou AUS..that one hurt...), so she needs to fly in by september next year to 'activate' her visa.

I must admit though, the last time I have lived for a little bit longer in Australia was after I completed my studies in the year 2000. I moved to Australia for nearly a year but returned to Poland where my whole Family was. I was in Sydney by myself, the loneliness wore me out.

Anyway, I really want to return to Australia as I think it will be a great opportunity for our kids to see a completely different world. My wife does not want to go. She solely agreed to go because she understands that it might be good for the kids to see a completely different place and also because I really want to go back. She would much more prefer to stay here where we are in Poland. We have good jobs - both of us. We have our whole family and friends here). I do understand the sacrifice that she is making and we are meeting half way. After we fly down and both of us give it our best, we wait until she gets citizenship and the day she does, if she tells me that she hasnt found herself there, that she would like to return to Poland - than we pack our bags and return.

 

But sometimes I tend to wonder. We have really quite good jobs here. I hit 42 today so Im not in my 20's. We work from Monday to Friday, weekends we always have off where we spend it together either here at home or we drive somewhere for the weekend. So in general, we have a cosey life. Some friends in Australia have written me that things have changed dramatically in Australia in the last 15 yrs or so (from the time I remember it, when iot was fairly cheap and you could comfortably live of a single wage). Has it in fact changed that much? Has anybody else also received a "cold shower" upon their arrival to Oz, where before they thought it was the land of opportunity, and have found it to be the land of oportunity, but only for those earning big money?

 

My wifes partner visa has to be activated by her entering Australia next year, so we will be flying down around March or so for around 3 weeks without the kids, which will give us the opportunity to see it from a "living there" perspective. We will drive around the schools seeing what options we would have for kids, what work options etc. She will also see Australia for the first time which will maybe make her more comfortable with the idea of us living there. We plan to finish up here with our businesses and jobs etc in around 2 yrs and fly to Austalia when our kids will be around 5 and 8.

 

We were thinking of hitting Queensland with its all year round weather. But with the weather comes the humid climate and the creepy crawlies that will give the wife a heart attack

 

Anyone been through such dilemas? What were the impressions after arrival and getting hit with the first bills? Is it really that bad or are some people over exegarating?

[Quoll]

It's like everywhere in the world - vastly different from 16 years ago. Most of the young families I know are two income families because they need to be too keep their heads above water.

 

Bit of a worry if your wife doesn't want to go - it's tough as you found out when you are living there alone. Your little family will be very isolated and it's hard when you have no extended family to connect with. Friends aren't the same even if you can make some.

 

The other thing is that you're not getting any younger and Australia always has been an ageist country. Early 40s is OK but if your wife wants to sentence out to her 5 years limit for entry then it gets more and more difficult to crack into the job market - depending on your skills and qualifications of course.

 

Enjoy your fact finding mission but don't be surprised if, now having a young family, your wife sees more disadvantage than advantage.

[Wojtek]

It's like everywhere in the world - vastly different from 16 years ago. Most of the young families I know are two income families because they need to be too keep their heads above water.

 

Bit of a worry if your wife doesn't want to go - it's tough as you found out when you are living there alone. Your little family will be very isolated and it's hard when you have no extended family to connect with. Friends aren't the same even if you can make some.

 

The other thing is that you're not getting any younger and Australia always has been an ageist country. Early 40s is OK but if your wife wants to sentence out to her 5 years limit for entry then it gets more and more difficult to crack into the job market - depending on your skills and qualifications of course.

 

Enjoy your fact finding mission but don't be surprised if, now having a young family, your wife sees more disadvantage than advantage.

 

I take all of that into account. I know that by the time we hit aussie shores I will be 44. Im in the fitness field, have been working as a tennis coach for the past 16 years, also have an EMS studio here in Wroclaw, Poland. I would be planning to work in similar fields in Australia.

 

Im trying to scrape up information as to Australia, to maybe get an idea if it will be much of a shock or very different from what I imagine it to be. Its completely different than it was when I flew solo. Here I will be with my wife and our two children. For one the expenses and responsibilities are at a comletely diofferent level but with that also means that we wont have the loneliness I encountered 16 yrs back as we will be here together.

 

I hope it never comes to a situation where I will be dying to stay and my wife will be dying to go back. I have read of too many marriages fall apart when those troubles came up, thats why I keep on telling myslef, that no matter what, if atleast we stay the 5 yrs there until the wife gets citizenship, than that will be a worthwhile 5yrs anyway..

 

..but then I'll be back in Poland at nearly 50. Thats why the situation is a pain in the ass..

[aconcannon]

Hey.

 

Ive written a few times here, but cant remember iof I have gotten into much detail with our situation, so I'll write in general what we have facing us.

 

I have been brought up in Australia from age 6 to 18, so my whole childhood has been there. I am an Aussie citizen (citizenship by grant). My wife and I have two small children, who I have taken care of the citozenship by descent papers for, so they too have their Aussie passports. FINALLY, after about 9 months of waiting, my wife has had her partner visa approved (Maaan, 7thou AUS..that one hurt...), so she needs to fly in by september next year to 'activate' her visa.

I must admit though, the last time I have lived for a little bit longer in Australia was after I completed my studies in the year 2000. I moved to Australia for nearly a year but returned to Poland where my whole Family was. I was in Sydney by myself, the loneliness wore me out.

Anyway, I really want to return to Australia as I think it will be a great opportunity for our kids to see a completely different world. My wife does not want to go. She solely agreed to go because she understands that it might be good for the kids to see a completely different place and also because I really want to go back. She would much more prefer to stay here where we are in Poland. We have good jobs - both of us. We have our whole family and friends here). I do understand the sacrifice that she is making and we are meeting half way. After we fly down and both of us give it our best, we wait until she gets citizenship and the day she does, if she tells me that she hasnt found herself there, that she would like to return to Poland - than we pack our bags and return.

 

But sometimes I tend to wonder. We have really quite good jobs here. I hit 42 today so Im not in my 20's. We work from Monday to Friday, weekends we always have off where we spend it together either here at home or we drive somewhere for the weekend. So in general, we have a cosey life. Some friends in Australia have written me that things have changed dramatically in Australia in the last 15 yrs or so (from the time I remember it, when iot was fairly cheap and you could comfortably live of a single wage). Has it in fact changed that much? Has anybody else also received a "cold shower" upon their arrival to Oz, where before they thought it was the land of opportunity, and have found it to be the land of oportunity, but only for those earning big money?

 

My wifes partner visa has to be activated by her entering Australia next year, so we will be flying down around March or so for around 3 weeks without the kids, which will give us the opportunity to see it from a "living there" perspective. We will drive around the schools seeing what options we would have for kids, what work options etc. She will also see Australia for the first time which will maybe make her more comfortable with the idea of us living there. We plan to finish up here with our businesses and jobs etc in around 2 yrs and fly to Austalia when our kids will be around 5 and 8.

 

We were thinking of hitting Queensland with its all year round weather. But with the weather comes the humid climate and the creepy crawlies that will give the wife a heart attack

 

Anyone been through such dilemas? What were the impressions after arrival and getting hit with the first bills? Is it really that bad or are some people over exegarating?

 

I'm a great believer in the sayings "you only live once so make the most of it" "you'll never know if you don't try".

 

My husband & I both had good jobs in the UK before we emigrated in Sep last year & we also left behind all of our family & friends to start a new life in Sydney. We've been very fortunate that everything came together for us really easily...we now have better jobs here, have more disposable income despite paying probably double if not more for our monthly living expenses & we wouldn't change anything as the outdoor lifestyle & better weather suits & us down to the ground & that is something the UK could never offer us!

 

Admittedly we don't have any children, but I'm guessing life for them here is a million times better than in the U.K., no doubt Poland as well! If you grew up here you must know that yourself!

 

Moving here won't kill you, if anything it'll bring you closer together as a family & you'll all gain so much from the experience, even if you do only end up staying a couple of years & then hearing back to Poland.

 

Hopefully when you come for a holiday next year you're wife will love it & be itching to come back! Good luck!

 

 

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[Guest Dave53]

I'm a great believer in the sayings "you only live once so make the most of it" "you'll never know if you don't try".

 

My husband & I both had good jobs in the UK before we emigrated in Sep last year & we also left behind all of our family & friends to start a new life in Sydney. We've been very fortunate that everything came together for us really easily...we now have better jobs here, have more disposable income despite paying probably double if not more for our monthly living expenses & we wouldn't change anything as the outdoor lifestyle & better weather suits & us down to the ground & that is something the UK could never offer us!

 

Admittedly we don't have any children, but I'm guessing life for them here is a million times better than in the U.K., no doubt Poland as well! If you grew up here you must know that yourself!

 

Moving here won't kill you, if anything it'll bring you closer together as a family & you'll all gain so much from the experience, even if you do only end up staying a couple of years & then hearing back to Poland.

 

Hopefully when you come for a holiday next year you're wife will love it & be itching to come back! Good luck!

 

 

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I'm really pleased that " everything came together" for you so soon .

If you had children your outlook and perception would be very different . I don't believe that children are a " million times better off " here in Australia , in fact I don't think they are at all better off and taking them away from their close and loving family family back in the UK or whatever puts them at a distinct disadvantage . I bought my children to Australia many years ago , I've come to accept that was a mistake , although of course turning the clock back is impossible and thoughts of such are futile .

I wish you luck , and would love to hear what your perceptions and aspirations are .

 

Dave C

[aconcannon]

I'm really pleased that " everything came together" for you so soon .

If you had children your outlook and perception would be very different . I don't believe that children are a " million times better off " here in Australia , in fact I don't think they are at all better off and taking them away from their close and loving family family back in the UK or whatever puts them at a distinct disadvantage . I bought my children to Australia many years ago , I've come to accept that was a mistake , although of course turning the clock back is impossible and thoughts of such are futile .

I wish you luck , and would love to hear what your perceptions and aspirations are .

 

Dave C

 

Each to their own on that one. We've got friends from home with children living here & friends living at home with children too. The kids in the UK, from what we've observed, seem to grow up a lot quicker, or at least try to grow up quicker! The rubbish weather means they're often indoors watching TV or playing computer games where as kids here seem to be more involved with sports & spend a lot more time outdoors. I know where I'd prefer my children to grow up! Interesting opinion though & keen to hear more as we'll be starting a family of our own soon. What is it about being brought up in the UK that you think makes it better than being brought up in Australia. Where do you live by the way?

 

 

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[NicF]

My OH moved back to Australia after 13 years in the UK, and back to Adelaide for the first time in about 20 years (he had been living in Brisbane before he moved to the UK). He was 49 when we moved and while it hasn't all been plain sailing he hasn't found his age to be a barrier in finding work. In fact he has recently secured a job due to his extensive previous experience which he wouldn't have if he was 20 years younger. How ageist you find things will depend a lot on your occupation and I know nothing of yours so cannot comment.

 

Adelaide has definitely changed since my OH used to live here but at the same time it's still the same place that's just developed a bit. We moved to Adelaide to be near his family which I think makes quite a difference to how you settle. We don't see everyone loads but there are people around we can call on if we need to. I've known my OH for pretty much all the 13 years he was in the UK and we were together as a couple for most of it and I knew the whole time he wanted to move back some day but I didn't really want to for a long time. He waited until I felt ready to move and we were both 100% on board with the idea, although I had to keep reminding him that moving wouldn't change our kids personalities - they would have the same issues, just in different surroundings.

 

We knew when we moved we would be worse off financially and we haven't been wrong. We went from having a really small mortgage to having a really large one and our earnings haven't quite kept up, although things are starting to improve now. Most of the costs of living you can research over the internet so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise when you get here. What you can't research is how you will feel once here or how well you will settle and find work. You will only know this once you have moved.

[flag of convenience]

Dzien Dobry z Perth...

 

Things have changed beyond recognition in many areas from 2000. Nobody would ever call Australia a low cost country these days. In fact among the more expensive. Sadly the globalisation economic policy followed by this nation has witnessed far greater inequality than you would have ben used to. We have a government wanting to cut welfare to those under thirty. We have something like one in three pensioners living in poverty.

 

We have expensive rents and no protection of tenure as exists in a lot of European nations. Houses are close to the most expensive and over inflated in the world. The cost of shopping is expensive as well as eating out and pubs etc.

 

We do have one of the highest minimum wages, not that all are paid it, as abuse exists especially among those on non permanent visas.

 

We have experienced a very large immigration surge over the past dozen years, as governments all seem paid up participants of The Big Australia dream. Does no harm keeping the outrageous housing market afloat either. Shame about infrastructure being increasingly unable to cope. Not to say wages largely stagnating of late.

 

I don't see kids being any better off out here at all. Most the kids that I'm aware of in European countries like Germany are doing very well. (I don't know any in Poland, apart from Polish kids brought to UK, and the few I know are indeed a mixed bag from reports)

 

If you have a good lifestyle in Poland, I'd seriously do a lot of research on the desirability of any move to Australia. It remains a considerably lonely country, a remark I note you raised from your previous time spent here.

People are very materially driven. They work long hours to pay for the 'lifestyle' many follow without question. Rules and reg's are pretty much everywhere. Hopefully more will begin to question where we are all heading. Apathy still a little too widespread at the moment though.

 

Besides if your wife is not really 'in' with the move I'd tread very carefully. You'll likely cop the flak if it goes pear shaped.

[Bobj]

Dzien Dobry z Perth...

Things have changed beyond recognition in many areas from 2000.

 

OMG!! When I first went to Perth in 1963, the cross roads at Albany Hwy and the Great Eastern Hwy was a teensy roundabout. In 1972, it was a slightly bigger roundabout

And today...I got lost looking for where I lived on the Albany Hwy.

 

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.9677846,115.887099,17z

 

 

 

Cheers, Bobj.

[flag of convenience]

OMG!! When I first went to Perth in 1963, the cross roads at Albany Hwy and the Great Eastern Hwy was a teensy roundabout. In 1972, it was a slightly bigger roundabout

And today...I got lost looking for where I lived on the Albany Hwy.

 

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.9677846,115.887099,17z

 

 

 

Cheers, Bobj.

 

Well there you are. I know of a city down south, Albany as it happens, that erected traffic lights at the top of the main street approach to round a bout. Only to remove them some years later. No doubt coming to the realisation of getting ahead of themselves. Remains robot free to this day. Now that's progress in the sense of back to the future.

[starlight7]

There are a lot of changes for sure but the essentials remain the same . It isn't as good as it used to be in some ways ( high rise apartments springing up on just about any spare piece of land, prices much higher for most things) but I wouldn't go so far as to say it has totally changed for the worse. Much better high streets shops, better in Melbourne central district ( heaps better) many more pavement style cafes etc. Still reckon it is better for kids here because of the attitude and sorts of learning experiences though I think that may change and become more like our mother country (China)

[amibovered]

I first lived in Australia nearly 30 years ago, it was streets ahead of the UK as a place to live, TBH I couldn't believe such a place existed in the world, but now I wouldn't say it's a better or worse place to live than the UK, just different, those differences will make it a better place for some, but not for others.

[flag of convenience]

Australia is a changing feast. It was rather removed from the staid 50's in the seventies by all accounts and again moved on in the nineties. I'd go as far as to say as lot has changed from 2000 even.

 

Besides a constant pattern of generally poor government, social mores have changed with far greater tolerance being displayed by a greater number of people. We have become steadily more diverse, thank goodness, but this as far as numbers of new comers goes should be kept in check as to not feed into the arms of racists and anti changers. The apparent desire to force a Big Australia by inflating immigration will likely not end well.

Moving on, the increased awareness of Asia, Asian cuisine and travel has enlightened a generation. Just a shame languages have declined at schools, as should be compulsory IMO.

 

The worst features are the permitting of the housing market to such an outcome as has happened, along with a denial as to the reasons why this happened and no clear policy to tackle the issue.

That along with the changing nature of work and the increased stress factors relating to it.

[starlight7]

When I think of it- we could pick and choose our employment but unheard of these days, sadly.

[Petals]

Its changed a lot as has the world. More people, not so laid back as it was. I think that Melbourne in particular has changed enormously. In fact I was having a discussion about it the other day. I used to like going into the city and thought it was a nice day out. I no longer enjoy the city, obviously I am much older, but its the smell and the streets and change is dramatic since the late eighties I think. I could be in any city in Asia. Not a fan of all the apartment blocks, yes the expensive ones will be ok but its the cheaper thrown together ones which will deteriorate rapidly and change the face of the city. Apartment blocks are only as good as the Body Corporate, management company that runs them. These are elected by the owners, so if you have a lot of people investing for rentals etc they may not be agreeable to pay a lot to the Body Corporate and then the apartment block fails to stay nice and attractive. I would never live in one for this reason.

 

I also think that the GST did a lot of harm to housing prices, it was the start of them rising quickly. They brought about the first home owners grant to make up for the GST. However what happened was that builders, developers just put up their prices so it was very inflationary to house prices. I know this because that was my job working in the legal side of property law. I remember my boss and I discussing the fact that this was happening and it just went from there with the increase in migrations and now we have a mess.

 

Its no longer cheap to live in the cities and most people are not on film star wages, however if they are second generation etc most inherit some money which enables them to buy a home. However there are many many people who will not never be able to own a home.

 

Jobs have disappeared as they have in the western world, been exported to third world countries with cheaper labour. Therefore there are many people who are under employed and this will increase I believe. Casualisation of the workforce is rife. Firms no longer want to have full time employees they want them to contract for labour when needed, this being a pick up and drop off situation which is not conducive to a nice life for a lot of families.

 

Yes a lot of people are doing ok and my family is ok and I am ok but I do believe its not that way for may people.

 

Interesting times. Wonder what will happen when the robots start taking all the jobs, heard a discussion about that the other day. White collar workers are next in line according to the experts.

[flag of convenience]

When I think of it- we could pick and choose our employment but unheard of these days, sadly.

 

Not forgetting a degree stood for something. Think it was called employment. Almost required to enter a job these days. The education fiasco which has resulted in part as treat it as a commodity, packaging it and selling it out as a means of income, hasn't been a great result.

[flag of convenience]

Its changed a lot as has the world. More people, not so laid back as it was. I think that Melbourne in particular has changed enormously. In fact I was having a discussion about it the other day. I used to like going into the city and thought it was a nice day out. I no longer enjoy the city, obviously I am much older, but its the smell and the streets and change is dramatic since the late eighties I think. I could be in any city in Asia. Not a fan of all the apartment blocks, yes the expensive ones will be ok but its the cheaper thrown together ones which will deteriorate rapidly and change the face of the city. Apartment blocks are only as good as the Body Corporate, management company that runs them. These are elected by the owners, so if you have a lot of people investing for rentals etc they may not be agreeable to pay a lot to the Body Corporate and then the apartment block fails to stay nice and attractive. I would never live in one for this reason.

 

I also think that the GST did a lot of harm to housing prices, it was the start of them rising quickly. They brought about the first home owners grant to make up for the GST. However what happened was that builders, developers just put up their prices so it was very inflationary to house prices. I know this because that was my job working in the legal side of property law. I remember my boss and I discussing the fact that this was happening and it just went from there with the increase in migrations and now we have a mess.

 

Its no longer cheap to live in the cities and most people are not on film star wages, however if they are second generation etc most inherit some money which enables them to buy a home. However there are many many people who will not never be able to own a home.

 

Jobs have disappeared as they have in the western world, been exported to third world countries with cheaper labour. Therefore there are many people who are under employed and this will increase I believe. Casualisation of the workforce is rife. Firms no longer want to have full time employees they want them to contract for labour when needed, this being a pick up and drop off situation which is not conducive to a nice life for a lot of families.

 

Yes a lot of people are doing ok and my family is ok and I am ok but I do believe its not that way for may people.

 

Interesting times. Wonder what will happen when the robots start taking all the jobs, heard a discussion about that the other day. White collar workers are next in line according to the experts.

 

It's called Globalisation. The dreaded creed that in previous times proved to be a failure and building up to crash with the same results. No wonder why a large part of the world is in chaos. No system can expect to persevere where only a minority benefit.

[akiralx]

Each to their own on that one. We've got friends from home with children living here & friends living at home with children too. The kids in the UK, from what we've observed, seem to grow up a lot quicker, or at least try to grow up quicker! The rubbish weather means they're often indoors watching TV or playing computer games where as kids here seem to be more involved with sports & spend a lot more time outdoors. I know where I'd prefer my children to grow up!

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The 'outdoor childhood' concept is a bit of a myth - as surveys show that people spend more time indoors in Aus compared to Europe owing to the heat...

Like others I would advise the OP to carefully consider whether moving here would be beneficial if life and employment are good where he is. Sure he can move them all back - having spent a great deal of time and money in the meantime.

 

I've never understood the 'if you have the chance to move to Aus, you'll regret not doing it as a missed opportunity' attitude. In many cases it does work out, but my view is that unless there is something clearly negative about your current life you should stay where you are - as life in Aus is anything but easy.

[aconcannon]

The 'outdoor childhood' concept is a bit of a myth - as surveys show that people spend more time indoors in Aus compared to Europe owing to the heat...

Like others I would advise the OP to carefully consider whether moving here would be beneficial if life and employment are good where he is. Sure he can move them all back - having spent a great deal of time and money in the meantime.

 

I've never understood the 'if you have the chance to move to Aus, you'll regret not doing it as a missed opportunity' attitude. In many cases it does work out, but my view is that unless there is something clearly negative about your current life you should stay where you are - as life in Aus is anything but easy.

 

I can't really see the logic of staying indoors because it's warm outside? Suppose it depends where you live but the last thing I would want to do on a hot day if I didn't have air-con would be to stay indoors, we head the lake or the beach to catch the breeze & sit in the shade or swim. I can see what you're saying though, suppose everybody is different. Luckily our friends who have moved with children find their children are outdoors / involved with sports a lot more than when they were in the UK & as a result watching a lot less TV etc.

 

 

 

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[JockinTas]

I can't really see the logic of staying indoors because it's warm outside? Suppose it depends where you live but the last thing I would want to do on a hot day if I didn't have air-con would be to stay indoors, we head the lake or the beach to catch the breeze & sit in the shade or swim. I can see what you're saying though, suppose everybody is different. Luckily our friends who have moved with children find their children are outdoors / involved with sports a lot more than when they were in the UK & as a result watching a lot less TV etc.

 

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I have always been an outdoors person and enjoy playing tennis, cycling, long walks and swimming. I don't let the heat bother me much. I do the same activities here in Tassie in the cold weather except for swimming in the sea. I also participated in all those things when I worked in the US and Europe when the summer heat could also reach nearly 40C - even in Switzerland. My sons were always sporty so were rarely hanging around the house playing computer games or watching TV.Have to say though that on humid Sydney days swimming was the sport of choice for me. Don't mind the heat so much but absolutely detest humidity.

[aconcannon]

I have always been an outdoors person and enjoy playing tennis, cycling, long walks and swimming. I don't let the heat bother me much. I do the same activities here in Tassie in the cold weather except for swimming in the sea. I also participated in all those things when I worked in the US and Europe when the summer heat could also reach nearly 40C - even in Switzerland. My sons were always sporty so were rarely hanging around the house playing computer games or watching TV.Have to say though that on humid Sydney days swimming was the sport of choice for me. Don't mind the heat so much but absolutely detest humidity.

 

I hear you, we're in Sydney too! You're right with what you say & I think it does very much depend on the family too. If the parents aren't sporty or don't enjoy being outdoors then I guess the kids won't be either, outside of any school related sport clubs.

 

 

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[flag of convenience]

A big change of course, has been the triumph of economics over concerns for people. Not to say an ever ongoing assault on our humanity. The Lib's of today, are far removed from those than went under this name a few decades back.

[starlight7]

The Libs of today are horrible and Labor lot are a bunch of spiteful nutters. Nothing to choose between them. The unions used to be honourable back in the day- really look out for people. No longer.

[JockinTas]

The Libs of today are horrible and Labor lot are a bunch of spiteful nutters. Nothing to choose between them. The unions used to be honourable back in the day- really look out for people. No longer.

 

My husband (in the building industry) was (had to be really) a member of the CFMEU. :elvis: That union was rotten - so much corruption going on.

[Guest RadiantRed]

I've got lot of friends who moved in to Australia and they are having a wonderful life there. Actually, they keep on coming back after a vacation. Perhaps, it depends on how people really adjust to a certain environment. It is also normal to encounter some difficulties for a few months. They call it a "culture shock". It is a feeling of disorientedness when a person moves to an environment which is different from one's own but I know sooner or later it will pass.