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Australia: Applying for onshore PR while on visitor vias subclass 600:
You need to review your visa grant letter or email to see if there is a no further stay condition (8503 'No Further Stay'). If so, then you will not be able to apply for any type of temporary or permanent visa during your time in Australia on the 600 visa.
Colombia: Why are Colombians so adverse to new foods:
Another thumbs up for 'good topic', if nothing else for validation. I know that my upbringing informs my expectations - father from American South, mother Indonesian raised in the Netherlands, I born and raised in California where variety in cuisine and produce was a given. And at first this made me very receptive to traditional Colombian foods. The first time I had chorizo in Santa Rosa de Cabal was wonderful, since chorizo usually brought to mind the hard, red variety I'd had in the US. On the other hand, I do need variety, and the produce if nothing else does make it possible in Colombia. When I moved to Australia to live with my husband, it was the first time I ever thought of and attempted cooking Mexican food because everything I'd tried in restaurants was in my opinion a disappointment. There was plenty of great Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, That and Vietnamese food, however, to balance out the British-influenced Australian food. After a couple of years we moved to Pereira, and my story is nothing different from the ones shared here. My inlaws are still getting accustomed to the "disgusting/strange/insert adjective here" foods I cook. I found this out through the unusually strong current of gossip that is common among my inlaws (but I've seen claimed as Colombian: http://medellinliving.com/expat-observations-tips-time-gossip/) from my cuñadas to my husband's ex-wife to my stepdaughters in Australia, who then told me. This for the most part has to do with the number and amount of vegetables I use, the funniest reaction being a shudder (from an adult) when an omelette with sauteed vegetables was served for breakfast. Thankfully my husband eats whatever I serve him, so I guess it'll be easier for everyone if he handles the cooking whenever his family comes over. We are now recently back in Australia where my husband and stepdaughters (who have been in Australia for 9 years) rarely turn their attention away from tamal, arepa, bistec and white rice cooked with oil. Thankfully there are now a few new taquerias to cheer me up.
Australia: Relocation Packages to Australia:
Hi COTM,
In terms of work opportunities for you, if you can be a bit more specific that would help. The ANU in Canberra is the oldest research university in Australia and remains high in international rankings. Depending on your area of interest there are also great institutes and universities in Sydney, Melbourne, and other states.
The exchange rate is still favorable for Canadians, however as others have mentioned the cost of living in Australia is generally high. Anything that is imported (i.e. most things) carries high prices. If you're accustomed to accessing cheap imports or seasonal things year-round, you'll be paying more for them down here even with the exchange rate factored in.
Colombia: CHIKINGUA:
Waltercito, I'm glad to hear you're on the mend, and thanks for the first-hand experience rundown. I'm knocking on wood that the hundreds of mosquitos that have feasted on my blood have been relatively disease-free.
Locogringo, I sincerely hope you don't mean this!: "On a good note, it seems to mostly be rampant in the poor and black community's."
Colombia: Will my cellphone work in Colombia?:
Colombia and Peru operate on the same bands, so yes. For reference, it usually depends on the bands (frequencies) your phone can function under and what your carrier uses. I had a tri-band phone purchased in Australia, but when I moved to Colombia the one band on my phone that works in Colombia was not used by my carrier (Comcel). I now have an unlocked quad-band phone that can be used most anywhere. Here is a quick reference to know the bands used by country around the world: http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html
Colombia: Giving birth in Colombia - who can be in the room?:
I agree your daughter and her husband should speak to their doctor and the hospital. That's what they'd do in the US, correct? I have also heard the same that partners and mothers-in-law were allowed in. Best way to know is to speak with those in charge, so they understand what is wanted and can do their best to fulfill that.
Australia: Teaching in Australia:
Hi DJC,
I've found this site to be great for general living questions and conversation. If you don't get any responses here, you might try looking on Dave's ESL Cafe (http://www.eslcafe.com/search/Schools/Australia/) or the jobs forum of the Living and Working in Australia Forum (australiaforum.com).
Cheers
Australia: Travel and Private Health insurance for Expats:
Did you find anything? I've only had experience with WorldNomads, which was great, but unfortunately doesn't work for your circumstances. Have you seen this? https://www.visitorsinsurance.ca/#/
Australia: A few questions:
Hi Ferran,
1) I've spent about 4 years total in Australia, as a graduate student and living/working. I experienced culture shock about 1.5 years in. The novelty wore off and I fell into a period of being annoying or disappointed by everything. It's not the same as when you live in a place with a new language and vastly different customs. It hits you more gradually. Australia is very different, but in subtle ways. Not really a way to prepare for it except to keep reminding yourself that it's different.
2) I work in a different field than you do. I'd suggest searching expat forums with specific job boards to ask this question.
3) How the CV and cover letter are put together. Standard Australian spelling.
Colombia: Medical insurance:
We have Coomeva Medicina Prepagada (MP) and Coomeva EPS. My husband has been dealing with an undiagnosed illness for over 2 years (started after we arrived).
Regular medications are almost all covered by EPS, although there usually isn't choice in the brand to be dispensed (i.e. almost always generic). A nominal fee of between 1,800 and 2,800 COP is paid for each 30-day prescription. This has been great for us thusfar.
One-time treatments with medications that usually involved a surgical procedure (my husband has been having a tough couple of years) were usually paid for by MP.
Things not covered by either have been post-procedure eye drops for pain (not over the counter) and certain types of corticosteroids. Thankfully over the counter medications are cheap here in comparison to Australia and the US, and generic varieties are plentiful and very cheap. We haven't had any problem related to quality with the generic brands here.
For two people we're paying about 160k COP per month for EPS.
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