ToastedSandra Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Hi allI am still new to this forum and would like to introduce myself. I am currently living in Mackay Queens land. I am originally from Cape Town and am missing it terribly. I have been here 10 months now and can't seem to find many South Africans here.I am finding it hard to adjust here, some people are very friendly but the culture is allot different to what I expected. The people are allot different to the Australians I met in the UK. But then again I am living in a small town.Other than that I am studying at CQU, Multimedia. I have moved here alone and find it very challenging not having family around. But I think I am getting used to it.I would love to hear from all of you, with a small introduction. This forum looks like fun and can't wait to get to know everyone.Chat soonSandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExASP Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Hello SandraI am from Alice Springs and I daresay it is smaller than Mackay. I am originally from PTA and have been in Alice for twenty months now. We were very fortunate that the motor company here went and imported a few Afrikaans mechanics and we get together quite often. As a matter of fact we just had a nice Durban curry and rice evening at my place with two other SA couples and thier kids tonight. We went home for a visit after 15 months here and I must say that before we went I missed home terribly. Strangely after we came back it hasnt been as bad and it seems that we have settled in now. I even got two dogs. We want to move to Perth after our contract finishes but if it doesnt work out we will try Victoria or else queensland..Hope you settle in soon Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chatterbug Posted May 27, 2006 Report Share Posted May 27, 2006 Hi ToastedSandra,I replied to one of your other posts but will chat with you over here too!!I see that you are moved here on your own and you are 25years old. I have often wondered what it must be like to immigrate to Australia like you did. I think it could be quite challenging since from my experience it is mostly couples, (with some children, fewer without) that emigrate from SA. I was wondering how you decided on Mackay! I can imagine that after Cape town it could be quite challenging, I would have thought that a bigger city like Brisbane, Melbourne would have much more to offer young and single (this could be an inaccurate assumption!) people?Anyway interested to hear your feedback!CheersNosy BUG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedSandra Posted May 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Hi GuysTo answer your question Chatterbug, the question about coming to Mackay, its kinda a long story but will try shorten it. I left for the UK after school (18 years) for my work permit and had an awesome time. Was there for 2 years and promised myself that I would never live in earl’s court, well met a few Ozzies and had a blast and moved into Patrick house in earl’s court. I met a guy there and we became good friends. We spoke on the phone and emailed everyday for 5 years and he convinced me to move to Mackay. I always work on impulse and one day woke up and said ah I'll move to Mackay. Didn't do much research but assumed (which I do allot) I would love it. It has taken me a while to settle, I guess it is harder moving to a country on your own but was an interesting adventure. I have always wanted my degree and the only way I could get in here was to complete a degree in OZ (mackay was also cheaper to study than the cities). I sold my flat (I was very lucky in this aspect as I bought my flat 3 years ago and it doubled in price within 2 years) this helped me pay for my uni. Yeah I know Mackay gets me down sometimes but then sometimes I remember that I can walk home on my own and feel safe, and I can sit working on my computer with my front door open and not worry about someone walking in ASP you’re probably right, I think when I go home for a visit and get a taste of home again I can come back and finish what i started.I must say it hasn't been all that bad, I have been very luck with jobs and a place to live. I have been a web/graphic designer for 5 years now and spent 8 months looking for work and one day I just landed a web design job with MockOrange and have learnt so much from my boss. I managed to get a house to live in that has been standing for a year, I helped a guys daughter out and he said I can stay in it as long as I don’t complain about the paint he he. I must say the house was a dump but the plumbing works and after a few pieces of material over the furniture and a new bed it felt like home. Well that was a mouthful, will hand it over for you guys to tell me a little about yourselves. I would love to hear more about you guys. By the way thanks for the compliment Chatterbug, my website should be up and running as soon as I finish my exams Chat soonSandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chatterbug Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Hi Toasted SandraWell you have an interesting story, And yip I guess coming here on your own must be quite different from most people's experience. But in a way I guess it could make it easier to integrate into Aus society and meet new Aussie friends. Anyway here is my first post on this forum (and some more later on) with some info on me, if you are interested: http://www.saaustralia.org/index.php?showtopic=222&hl= One other big thing that happened in our lives since then is that my wife is pregnant (19weeks) and we are expecting bub in Oct!! Yayh!On another post you mentioned that once you finished your studies in Mackay you'd be off: Any ideas where yet or is it too soon to tell?Anyway you have a new bunch of pals on this forum now, and please lean on us if you need help, support, a laugh/cry, a bitch and moan, or whatever. We all use it to help us through the process of immigration.CheersChatterbug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToastedSandra Posted May 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Hey Chatterbug Congrats Wow, any names yet... so are you on a visa or passport here. I was hoping to get my visa and work towards my passport. That way I have lot more opportunities. My brother just recently managed to get hit british through work and I was hoping that if I can get my Ozzie one day I can try for the work permit again into the UK. When I am finished uni I am not sure what I will be doing then. It will be in a years time and thought to use that opportunity and move into sunshine coast.When I went to the sunshine coast I found it, much to my satisfaction, to be alot like cape town just less litter... he he Well I better be off to uni, thanks for the chat.Chat soonSandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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