Become an Explorer and Discover Something New

Become an Explorer and Discover Something New

I’m living in:

Melbourne, Australia

A bit about me:

I am in my late 20s and made the decision to leave my wonderful teaching job in London to travel the world. I worked my way through across the USA and then through Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina and Chile before spending two months in gorgeous New Zealand and two weeks in stunning Fiji. Now here I am in Australia’s culture capital and I am busily setting up a life here, complete with home, job, friends, phone, gym membership, favourite bars and restaurants etc. It is brilliant and scary and exciting.

How long have you lived there?

I have lived in Melbourne for two months and counting.

Why did you move?

After months of travelling I fell in love with the people and the city and decided to settle here for a while.

What are the summer months (Jun-Aug) like in your part of the world?

So the summer is actually December- January here. It is beautiful and sunny, though a little humid in Melbourne itself. Fortunately everyone here is very outdoorsy and so summer is the time to get fit and active. June-August is winter here and so everyone is more cosy and enjoying the crisp cold weather. It never gets as cold as the UK but there are plenty of opportunities for boots and snuggly jumpers! 

Is summer (Jun-Aug) the best time of year to visit?:

People say that Summer is too hot here! So spring and autumn tend to be more popular. Perhaps a spring visit in October/November. I arrived in March and the Autumn here has been gorgeous with lovely warm sun and I have loved watching the leaves change colour too!

What do you enjoy doing with your time in the summer?

The beaches are gorgeous in regional Victoria. I would take a road trip to The Great Ocean Road or a camping retreat to Wilson’s Promontory. The coast is absolutely stunning so I would want to get out there as much as possible. In the city I would spend my days in St Kilda by the beach or in one of the cute cafes and I would spend my evenings enjoying a delicious glass of chilled wine in one of Melbourne’s amazing rooftop bars.

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What’s the highest temperature it can reach in your summer time?

Well during the height of summer it can get pretty steamy and 38-40 degrees is not uncommon! 

What do you love the most about this time of year?

Australia is already very friendly but in the summer everyday feels like everyone is on the verge of a picnic or BBQ party! 

What do you like the least about this time of year?

Who likes humidity? Not me or my hair do! 

What do you wish you’d known before you moved?

That sometimes not having a job can be very lonely in a foreign country. But I also wish I had known that I would cope with and overcome all the tricky stuff and that it would all come good in the end! I would go back and tell myself not to worry!

Anything else you’d like to share with us about your expat experience?

Taking the step to leave behind friends, family, jobs and security is terrifying but also completely wonderful. I have learnt so much about myself and I am very proud of everything I have achieved so far. I am now someone who says ‘yes’ a hundred times more often than ‘no’ and I am thankful every day that I made the move. If you are a woman living in a foreign country you will know that every time you overcome a difficulty you have done something amazing and that every time you discover something new you are an explorer and an adventurer.  If moving to a new country is something you have ever considered then give it some serious thought. The world is waiting for you!