Guest jess92 Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 Hi everyone, my name is Jess. I moved to Adelaide about 6 years ago from a small community in Wales. I was 13 when my family moved (19 now), they had to drag me kicking and screaming! It was such a huge change for me, the culture is very different here compared to where I came from. It took around 1-2 years for our family to settle. but after 6 years of living here it still doesn't feel right. The move made me an incredibly shy person, at first mostly because I had a strong welsh accent and people couldn't understand me. My family life may have settled but my social life sure didn't. I've drifted around groups of friends and can't seem to find people I really click with. It was really hard to leave my close friends in Wales, the people I grew up with and went through school with. I've found friends through school but not like the close bff kinda friendships I had back in Wales. I still feel like that shy foreign girl at the back of the class. Sometimes I think about going home, but I know it wouldn't be the same anymore. Has anyone else had a hard time settling?
Guest siamsusie Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 Welcome to Poms In Oz Jess, There are many people that havent settled over here, so you are not alone. We have a "Moving Back To The UK" section where you will also find people who are/have been in the same boat as yourself. Very best wishes, and I hope you can find happiness soon. Susie x NB We also have a sister site http://www.pomsinadelaide.com/
Quoll Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 No sweetie, you are not alone! Some of us have been here for decades and still dont belong. However you are young and the world is your oyster! Have you thought of going back to see what you can make of it? Even if you go for a gap year (are you at uni? leave it until you have finished perhaps) just to test the waters and see if it is a better fit for you and your life. You dont have to stay where your parents are. I have one son who went back for a "gap year" nearly 10 years ago - he has been back 3 times to visit but on his last visit he couldnt wait to get back to "his" life. Dont let your olds guilt you into anything, just take your life as you find it and good luck!!!
Guest jess92 Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 thanks for your reply! I would love to go back for a visit, but probs not to live. Eventually, when I can afford it I will be taking a trip home. thanks for the inspiring words, I need to keep reminding myself I'm still young and the world is my oyster! If anyone else has a similar story to share I would love to chat
Guest PocketMamma Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 Hi everyone, my name is Jess. I moved to Adelaide about 6 years ago from a small community in Wales. I was 13 when my family moved (19 now), they had to drag me kicking and screaming!It was such a huge change for me, the culture is very different here compared to where I came from. It took around 1-2 years for our family to settle. but after 6 years of living here it still doesn't feel right. The move made me an incredibly shy person, at first mostly because I had a strong welsh accent and people couldn't understand me. My family life may have settled but my social life sure didn't. I've drifted around groups of friends and can't seem to find people I really click with. It was really hard to leave my close friends in Wales, the people I grew up with and went through school with. I've found friends through school but not like the close bff kinda friendships I had back in Wales. I still feel like that shy foreign girl at the back of the class. Sometimes I think about going home, but I know it wouldn't be the same anymore. Has anyone else had a hard time settling? Hi Jess - no you're not alone - I feel that way now and also experienced similar feelings in my teenage years after my family moved towns (I was brought up in NZ). I didn't have the culture shock but I never found that 'click' until I went to uni. Then in my late 20's I left them all behind when I moved to the UK. I eventually made a lovely group of new friends but have left them very recently and am now in Australia. So to this day (I'm now in my late 30's) I only have a couple of friends I've known for more than 5 years. But you know I wouldn't change anything - yes there have been some very lonely times. But it has also been a great adventure. The hardest times were as a teenager but as you get older and stronger, and more sure of yourself (and you will!), life can take wonderful, unexpected turns - so while your old friends in Wales are living pretty much the same life day in and day out - you really do have the world at your feet. Being 'foreign' is an asset - you are something different and special. You have adapted to a new country and a new way of life. You should be vey proud of yourself. Best of luck to all of us in settling in and finding our place in the world :biggrin:
newjez Posted May 11, 2011 Posted May 11, 2011 Hi everyone, my name is Jess. I moved to Adelaide about 6 years ago from a small community in Wales. I was 13 when my family moved (19 now), they had to drag me kicking and screaming! It was such a huge change for me, the culture is very different here compared to where I came from. It took around 1-2 years for our family to settle. but after 6 years of living here it still doesn't feel right. The move made me an incredibly shy person, at first mostly because I had a strong welsh accent and people couldn't understand me. My family life may have settled but my social life sure didn't. I've drifted around groups of friends and can't seem to find people I really click with. It was really hard to leave my close friends in Wales, the people I grew up with and went through school with. I've found friends through school but not like the close bff kinda friendships I had back in Wales. I still feel like that shy foreign girl at the back of the class. Sometimes I think about going home, but I know it wouldn't be the same anymore. Has anyone else had a hard time settling? Hi Jess - mine is a similar story. I came to Australia at the age of two, and have moved back and forth several times. I find that I don't have a place I call home anymore. But that's also a good thing - I can live anywhere and be fairly happy. If you haven't picked a career yet - I would suggest something that travels well - IT, HR, Hospitality, etc. Then - buy a suitcase and enjoy. As you are Welsh - you can live and work anywhere you want in Europe. You 19 - have a ball. See the world.
jonathancowen Posted September 1, 2011 Posted September 1, 2011 Hi everyone, my name is Jess. I moved to Adelaide about 6 years ago from a small community in Wales. I was 13 when my family moved (19 now), they had to drag me kicking and screaming!It was such a huge change for me, the culture is very different here compared to where I came from. It took around 1-2 years for our family to settle. but after 6 years of living here it still doesn't feel right. The move made me an incredibly shy person, at first mostly because I had a strong welsh accent and people couldn't understand me. My family life may have settled but my social life sure didn't. I've drifted around groups of friends and can't seem to find people I really click with. It was really hard to leave my close friends in Wales, the people I grew up with and went through school with. I've found friends through school but not like the close bff kinda friendships I had back in Wales. I still feel like that shy foreign girl at the back of the class. Sometimes I think about going home, but I know it wouldn't be the same anymore. Has anyone else had a hard time settling? Hi Jess, No, you are defiinately not alone, I was moved here 4 months ago as my wife wanted to go home and I REALLY dont fit in. I agree with others on here, save some cash and travel, you could always stay with relatives in Wales, get a temp job and travel around Europe easily, if you like the cold then you could easily get a job in a ski challet or hotel for the season and see some proper snow and mountains!!!! I have a few websites to apply to if your interested. Good luck Bye x
Guest Been there Posted September 1, 2011 Posted September 1, 2011 Hi everyone, my name is Jess. I moved to Adelaide about 6 years ago from a small community in Wales. I was 13 when my family moved (19 now), they had to drag me kicking and screaming!It was such a huge change for me, the culture is very different here compared to where I came from. It took around 1-2 years for our family to settle. but after 6 years of living here it still doesn't feel right. The move made me an incredibly shy person, at first mostly because I had a strong welsh accent and people couldn't understand me. My family life may have settled but my social life sure didn't. I've drifted around groups of friends and can't seem to find people I really click with. It was really hard to leave my close friends in Wales, the people I grew up with and went through school with. I've found friends through school but not like the close bff kinda friendships I had back in Wales. I still feel like that shy foreign girl at the back of the class. Sometimes I think about going home, but I know it wouldn't be the same anymore. Has anyone else had a hard time settling? Not really
JoandJon Posted September 1, 2011 Posted September 1, 2011 Maybe you could find a club or hobby that interests you and join in. If it's away from your school even better 'cos you can reinvent yourself a bit and won't feel hemmed in by what you think other people expect of you If you're not into Sport, maybe acting or music or some volunteering of some sort? Sometimes it's a way of developing more confidence in yourself and proving that you can do it
Guest guest37336 Posted September 1, 2011 Posted September 1, 2011 Not really Another really helpful and 'understanding' post from you Been There, many thanks for trying to kick someone when they are down.:mad::mad: Do us a favour mate, stick to the Samaritans.:mad::mad:
Guest The Pom Queen Posted September 1, 2011 Posted September 1, 2011 As this is an old thread I will close it, thank you everyone for your contributions.
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