My husband and I came to Australia as independent skilled migrants to pursue opportunities we heard this country had to offer. The climate was also appealing, although 18 years later I can see the insignificance of it. Deciding on relocating our life to Australia from Croatia was a no brainier (it was a couple of years before the war, so not influenced by it). America had too much crime, and Canada was too cold.

Once a decision was made, we got some books on Australia and a nice glossy brochure of Sydney. We wanted to learn more about our future home. It makes sense, doesn't it? We didn't have a problem speaking English. In Croatia, English was a compulsory subject from year 4. Besides, speaking more than one language is quite common in Europe, being so densely populated by people speaking different languages.

My first impression of Sydney was not as I imagined it from the glossy brochure. It was unbearably hot, with millions of flies, humid, sticky...argh. Other than a few friendly home-country friends, the rest of the crowed didn't seem very friendly. The neighbours at our Manly Vale apartment were looking at us suspiciously, and certainly no one greeted us or asked 'Hey, new neighbours, how is life?' My husband couldn't get a job because everyone asked him for 'local experience' knowing well that we only just arrived, and to get a lease on our apartment we had to name someone locally who knew us for a year (!) - I mean, ridiculous! Why did they give us permanent residency only to put up all these barriers once we arrived? This was the time when I realised my life had just been split into 'before' and 'after' the move.

Three months into our arriving I started working at a Swiss global company.

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About the Author Dina Zavrski-Makaric is a professional coach, mentor and facilitator for expatriates, repatriates and skilled migrants helping them to maximize their global succes. A business member of the Newcomers Network, Dina is also a host of the 'Welcome to Sydney' social events. Information: challenging directions.com; Contact: dina@challenging directions.com.

First Published: Oct 14, 2006