What if your dream move turned out to be your biggest challenge? Six months ago, I packed my bags and moved to Australia to pursue my Master’s in Counselling. I had imagined a fresh start, filled with new experiences and growth. But what I didn’t expect was how much this journey would test me mentally, emotionally and physically.
Looking back, I see this time in two distinct phases: the first three months of survival and the next three months of slow adaptation.
Phase 1: The First Three Months – Survival Mode
The first three months felt like a whirlwind of logistics, learning curves and an overwhelming sense of loneliness.
The Basics: Navigating a New System
From opening a bank account, getting a SIM card, finding a house, and settling in, it felt like my life revolved around checklists. Finding a part-time job was another challenge, but one that I knew was necessary.
At university, I quickly realized the education system here was nothing like what I had known at DU. Lectures were just one hour and online, while tutorials were offline and discussion-based. The biggest shock? Assessments weren’t about memorization but critical thinking and original evaluation. It terrified me. Back home, exams felt predictable—I knew what to study. But here, there was no “right” answer, and I had to unlearn my previous approach to learning.
I remember frantically taking notes during lectures, thinking it would help, only to realize later that assessments were where the real learning happened. I sought advice from friends and acquaintances, reshaped my study methods and unknowingly shifted my mindset to become assessment-focused rather than lecture-focused.
Loneliness and Cultural Adjustment
Beyond academics, the hardest part was the loneliness. I had expected to make friends at University, but with minimal offline classes and 6-8 PM sessions, most students rushed home after class. I thought work would help me build social connections, but being a casual employee had its own limitations.
Coming from a collectivist culture where friendships form effortlessly, adjusting to an individualistic society was a struggle. I missed my family, my friends, my sense of belonging. There were nights I questioned everything—was this the right decision? Was the financial burden on my parents and me worth it?
I found myself stuck in a loop: university, part-time job, home. No social life. No exploration. Just survival.
Phase 2: The Emotional Toll and Turning Point
Breaking Point: Mental Health and Seeking Help
Things got darker before they got better. My therapist noticed I had been feeling lower than usual. While I had support from my family and friends back home, I was still struggling to stay here. The thought of leaving everything behind and returning to India crossed my mind more times than I’d like to admit.
One of my confessions haunted me for weeks:
"People talk about work-life balance here, but what do I do when my work is here, but my life is in India?"
The only thing keeping me going was knowing I had booked a trip back home for a month after my first three months in Melbourne. That gave me hope—an endpoint to my sadness.
Visiting India: A Reality Check
Going home was grounding. It reminded me of my roots, my support system and the people who made me feel safe. My loved ones made every moment special, and for the first time in months, I felt like myself again.
But something unexpected happened. While in India, I realized I had unknowingly built a life in Melbourne too. I had my own routines, my own way of doing things. The independence that once scared me now felt familiar.
And then it hit me—I had been looking at life in India through rose-tinted glasses. Things weren’t perfect back home either. For the first time, I felt like I was in between two worlds, belonging to both yet neither completely.
Finding My Own Pace: The Journey Continues
Returning to Melbourne felt different this time. Something had shifted. I still missed home, but I no longer felt completely lost. I started stepping out more, making small efforts to explore and socialize. Life didn’t feel as heavy as before, yet I knew there was still a long way to go.
The next three months brought their own set of lessons—navigating friendships, understanding cultural differences more deeply, and slowly finding my own rhythm in this new life. But that’s a story for another day.
In my next post, I’ll share what happened in the months that followed—how I adjusted, what changed and the moments that made me realize that maybe, just maybe, I was starting to find my place here.
ReplyDeleteThis piece of writing is truly inspiring! It captures the intense and often overwhelming feeling of loneliness, highlighting how emotional disconnection can shape who we become.
Love to see the growth you've had over the past couple of months!