My First Month In Australia
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Moving to Australia seemed easier when I was onshore in America, but I am making the best of it all
Moving halfway across the world seemed so easy from a distance. I did have some reservations, but there was a lot about my life in America that caused so much unnecessary stress. Now that I am here, it feels quite different.
I miss so much about my American life, and I was not ready to be this homesick. But I have already employed some strategies to help get me through the initial shock of living overseas.
Since I am an Italian citizen, I always thought I would move to Italy and experience La Bella Vita, but it made no sense for me to go to Italy, particularly because I know few people in the country. I traveled to Italy and France. I fell in love with France and always dreamed about living there. But moving to France, much like Italy, would be more difficult without knowing people I could connect with.
The first thing I tried in order to feel more comfortable in Australia was to get my American news stations on Google Chrome. It helped me to adjust a little better.
Yes, the idea of moving to Australia was a lot easier, until I actually moved. In the beginning, I was brave and stoic about my decision. My friends and family kept asking why I wanted to move. No one understands why anyone would leave their whole life after a certain age and move overseas, but only that person can make this kind of decision themself. Since my partner lives in Australia it was an easy choice to make.
I joined some Facebook groups to chat with other American expatriates who have experienced similar homesickness. They were very supportive and said that it gets easier after a few months. Luckily, I am able to chat with my friends and family by video chat. But unfortunately, Facebook recently went offline and I was very stressed as a result. The idea of not being able to see my family is a difficult one. Seeing them over a computer screen is not the same as hugging them or sharing a meal in person, but it does tend to help with my anxiety.
Sometimes I toss and turn at night when I realize I am not able to just go back home so quickly. It’s at least a fifteen-hour flight home, and this is part of the reason why I am nervous. Especially with recent…
