I came to Australia on a working holiday in the 1970s, from Canada. I am still here in Australia. You can't go back, you change, your old family and friends are on a different path. Australia has so many opportunities. Come back!
I enjoyed watching your observations, interviews and the glimpses of your life you were willing to share.I hope you come back and give us some more but if you don't, thanks for what you have done. Don't stress about the unknown.Remember, "she'll be right, mate"
My 2 daughters came to Australia 20 and 15 years ago for grad school and stayed. They are now citizens and have each built a great life here with families. I am on my 10th trip to visit and babysit my new grand daughter for 3 months. It is hard having them so far away, but when I come here, I understand why they stayed. The only negative is the distance. It is a very good life.
“But all my friends moved”. This is exactly what I experienced, plus putting life on hold. Also, you mentioned learning about yourself after moving abroad: sounds like Australia wasn’t your first experience away from home, but perhaps because it was so different, it separated the “you” as a person vs the environment you were in. I think this knowledge is a one way street. I also missed thousands of small things from back in Australia, more so than things from home that I missed while being in Australia. I’ll save this video because it epitomises what I felt, but you so beautifully captured into words
Ahh Marissa, I'm so glad that I've stumbled upon your video. It's as if you were speaking out of my mind. Like, 100%. Everything you've verbalized has been on my mind the past months, but especially the last week. So seeing your video feels a bit like destiny, as it's so soothing to realize that I'm not the only one going through all these feelings and thoughts. I've came to Australia last year in April and am now on my 2nd WHV. I've been back to Germany twice in that time, extremely confused about where I belong and who I actually am. It feels precisely like that, being trapped in an in-between world. Even though I fell in love with Australia, I haven't found a place where I feel home here yet. So I'm constantly feeling the need of seeing other places, to finally find one, where I feel I want to settle. At the same time, traveling is very exhausting and the wish and need to call somewhere home, build a circle of friends, have a "proper" job, a routine and a sense of feeling grounded becomes stronger with each day. Feels like an unsolvable dilemma. Being back in Germany always felt like a relief (at first), because of course, everything there is familiar. I couldn't relate more with the feeling you described of being back in nature in your home country. Was/ Is the same for me. It was nice to be back, felt like I could recharge my batteries, but at the same time it felt somehow wrong. Like I didn't fit into my life there anymore. Even around my family, I had this feeling of not really belonging there. Quite strange and so so confusing. I don't know, it's a real challenge. And reading some of the comments below this video makes me think that the main reason for this confusion is my overthinking brain ):(. Well, I could go on about all this forever, but am leaving it at that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on here, felt like a virtual hug! If you'd ever wanted to connect over this, hit me up on @aurasdiary. Would be nice to sometimes share these thoughts with someone experiencing the same things, as others simply can't understand.
Thank you SO much for sharing your experience, that’s why I love posting! It can feel super lonely and like the feeling of being lost, I’m glad those who feel similar can at least connect. I’m definitely in the “exhausted from traveling” phase now
You are talking about a Greek concept called "Mavri Xenithia". It means the feeling or sensation that people who leave their home feel, where they no longer feel they belong where they came from, and don't feel they fully belong where the are. Its a part of the change process - the places you go to become part of you.
Travel changes a person. Ive travelled since i was a toddler and now im almost 70 and i go to new countries almost every year. Even at my age i still ask the same questions as you do regarding my identity. I have lived in many countries. In truth i am a composite and that is a good thing. We dont have to be 100 percent of any one culture. Pick the best of each place and embrace it and become it. Life has many challenges and the more resilient and pragmatic you are the better you will cope.
I moved to Australia from America in 1983 at the age of 23yo. I am 66yo now and made a good life here. Now, I'm retired and traveling. I like Penang, Malaysia. That will be my next life change. If you're happy here, continue. You have a soft accent like I do, (midwest) but you will retain it. Asking about where about you come from will diminish. Embrace it. I have a brother back in the US and visit him every couple of years and am surprised every time I go back. The US seems cruel in a way. The poverty is weird. It's more 'chill' here. I love America. I grew up there and had a scholarship. Good luck with your future. You have the ability to challenge new things. It enhances your opportunities. Best of luck!
Hey ! So lovely to see you again so soon 🙂. In my experience it is pretty unusual to engage with Australia as much as you seem to have done. It makes me think you are doing the right thing to move back and get a proper life here. One of my real joys was to be working full time in Sydney and enjoying it's amazing lifestyle - Bondi morning swims, sailing on weekends on my small yacht etc. I started and developed careers in Sydney and you will get a lot of support for whatever you choose. Good luck, I'm sure everyone here wishes you well.
Thank you for expressing so many of the issues folk have moving between countries. I first came to Australia when I was 18 and worked across WA in the bush for 3 years interspersed with an overland trip Perth to UK. Formative years. Glad to have escaped the UK in 2022 upon retirement, back to Australia. Re the nature thing I am surprised that over the years I have let go of the deep seated connection to the English countryside garnered from a childhood growing up in a village. So appreciate your articulation of these emotional conundrums that we all face.
There's always a bit of a travel hangover when you have to go back to 'normal' life. You can feel really flat. As you get older you naturally change as well. If you combine the two, which you have, it's natural to feel the way you do. Travel broadens your horizons as well. You're bound to feel like you're a different person.
You are meant to be in Australia. You need that freedom, understanding, respect, work-life balance, and high wages to support that lifestyle that you’ve grown to love.
@@coopsnz1 In Australia you actually see where your taxes go. Roads are good mostly, beautiful parks everywhere, good infrastructure, your health service isn't crumbling to bits like the UK. Be grateful buddy if you are in Aus , you live in the best western country currently.
@@ProcyonAlpha more than 125 taxes enriches poltical class arsrhole & union leaders ! I paid $40000 taxes on a used 2020 c63s that cost $100000aud lol ! In usa the now $60000aud
@@coopsnz1 Yeah mate, we don't get universal healthcare, well trained police, safe roads or... wait, WE FUCKING DO. And the US taxes is not exactly lower, and where do they go? And how does the price of a car relates to where taxes go, you clown? Are you 12 years old? Really, you're so fucking arse-hurt that someone prefers to live in a country outside of yours. What a sad little git you are.
If you had to pay LCT on your 2nd hand car, generally there’s a credit, it would have been 33% of the amount above the threshold @ $10,890. Add that to the @ $9,000 GST & you paid about $20k tax. Too much I agree but don’t make things up.
I'll admit that my experiences with travel are a bit different to yours. I never did a working holiday when I was younger. I wish I had, but severe neurodivergency, social anxiety and crippling self-doubt all conspired to keep me at bay, and I only managed to gain the confidence to travel on my own at the age of 28. Nonetheless, I can relate to some of the feelings you mentioned. Especially the mixed feelings you feel about coming home, trying to fit back in, kinda happy to be back but also wanting to head back out ASAP. To be honest, I think "home" is wherever you feel safe and supported. Whether that is in Australia or back in the States, I guess that's up to you. That said, I admire how much you've embraced our country and our culture, and hopefully you'll be back here in the near future.
I felt similar in a way when I got home from the UK back in 2019. I wasn't gone as long as you were, but it was still a shock to the system coming back. I think it's also like you said you were having crazy adventures, new places and events happening weekly, even daily. New people, a heightened sense of living. I was almost in a different country everyday over there. Once you come back it's like, oh this is real life again. If you traveled across America and visited new states every other week you would feel that same excitement. It's just going back to a routine that you no longer relate with. You'll start to settle back into life in the U.S. Just keep yourself busy, find some new hobbies etc The nature part really resonated with me, I never realised how much I love Australian wildlife and nature until coming back. Just the sounds of kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets, maggies. The distinct Australian smells of our natives etc
You can live in every corner of the globe, you can buy a thousand wardrobes, you can turn over every leaf and rock and you'll never find "it". Because "it" does not come from the outside, "it" comes from within.
You are going through what every immigrant here goes through. I an a kiwi but lived here in Oz since I was two. And the identity crisis isweird wvery time I go back to NZ. Am I a kiwi or an aussie? In reality I am both and so is every immigrant in Australia. You can have two countries you love.
Although a good while ago, I was an Aussie who lived and worked in London for a year and totally understand what you are saying about returning home. It is such a confusing time. It is hard to know how to feel. Of course you are happy and excited to be home after being away for so long, but you are also missing what you have just lived for 12 months. It really is a ‘one day at a time’ thing I think. What I did want to say to you is this - you are not a different person, you are an older and wiser version of yourself. You have learned more about yourself and you have been given the opportunity to really be yourself without an audience of people who have known you your whole life (or at least a part of it). If I can suggest that you take the differences you find with yourself now, and make those your new confidences, and embrace the fact that you have experienced a load of things that those around you now, have not. No, the people around you now do not know everything you have done, learned and experienced, but you do! You are incredibly brave to travel to the other side of the world without your parents and the security of all the things around you. You didn’t just move out and get a job, you travelled, you worked in a different country, you tried different foods, you spent time with people from different countries, you had conversations with people about things that you would never have done if you had never left. These are the things that make you a better, more experienced person. The things that make you different to when you left are the things that will make the rest of your life different because you have an extra perspective than the people you meet who haven’t had your journey. Embrace the fact that you are a different person and give yourself permission to be who you were when you were here, regardless of the fact that other people may not understand why you might now do things differently, think differently and aspire to things that are different to what you may have once aspired to. Your video has brought back memories for me, lol. Once I had been home for a couple of months I tried to explain to my mum that I was feeling lost. I grew up knowing that I was going to travel overseas so once leaving school, working to save up, going overseas, seeing all the different things I had always wanted to see (Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, canals of Venice to name a few), I was feeling lost, I had never planned for what would come next … what comes next is life … in which ever way you want it to be. By the way, my mum never understood what I was trying to say 😂 You will be fine. Just remember to embrace those changes and make them part of your life moving forward. Wishing you so much love and that the time goes quickly between now and when you can sort out the next visa! 😁
I enjoyed your honest introspective and all the growth ,feelings and changes you have experienced . I think it shows how truly strong you are. Let me know when you figure it all out. Im confident you will...but Im biased, Love ya, Uncle Mike
Hi Marissa, thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. Hope you can make it back to Australia and see more of our country. Living in a different country changes you, I had two years in England whilst growing up.
Your earlier videos proved that people can survive and thrive without doing the “normal” 9 to 5 grind and can follow their own path. I hope you get to do that back in Australia too. I love what you’re doing; your honesty and perspectives make your content compelling
Believe in yourself. Wherever you live it’s all up to you. My family emigrated from UK to Australia I am so glad they did. I have worked and travelled in a number of states. Found after a while Queensland became my home. Yes I have travelled OS. But clearly the fresh air, lifestyle,people ,the Flora and Australian only Fauna and lifestyle. I’m an Aussie 🥰🥰🥰🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🦘🦘🦘
Hello, Life can be so confusing at times. What should I do, What should I say, If i do this or that what will people think about me , So we try to please others trying not to step on anyone's feet, All this does is prevent your growth and happiness. True friends like you as you are , no judgement, we all have doubts about ourselves. Just do whatever makes you feel happy and calm . And you will automatically attract people who love ❤ you for you . That's true friendship. Not matter what you can't please everyone. That's not your job, if people don't like that , It's there problem. It only affects you if you allow them to. And you no there not the people you want in your life. 🙏🏼🇦🇺 we love you for you, ups and downs
Every way of life comes with its own unique set of struggles and obstacles, it's up to you to decide which of those you are comfortable dealing with, and trying to overcome.
Hi Marissa, I can understand what you’re saying, for me travelling changed me for the better. I’ve not been on a e we irking holiday, but I have travelled a lot. I have felt like I don’t have a home at times.
Hello there Marissa. Hope you have enjoyed Australia and havd enjoyed your viseo blogs and will miss your videos. I hope you get the chance to come back " down under" some time in the future. All the best
Sydney is a wild west of working environments. I've worked in glass high rises and also office/factory setups, in no particular order. Looking to jump into a new job and possibly a whole new group of friends heh.
Your candid open nature is very courageous. I really empathise with your situation. I am a Brit but I lived New York for two years and now I have been in Sydney, Australia for 12 years. I also really struggled with self identity. Where was home? Also think there is absolutely nothing wrong with not knowing want to do. Life is short and full of surprises. People can play it safe and still lose everything in an unexpected flash. Anyway I don’t expect you to take this advice but listen “Everybody’s free” by Baz Luhrman. It’s a kind of cheesy spoken word song from the 90s/00s. I guarantee most millennials know it. I think you would be comforted by its wisdom. Back to “home”. For me things changed when I met my wife, now wherever she is - is home. Good luck on your next adventures. Life is short and life is precious.
Watching this video and thinking back to the videos you made before coming to Australia you are definitely a different person. More confident, balanced and mature. Australia made you a better person and you helped make Australia a better country 🙏
Allow yourself to settle back to normal life and when you can go away on the weekends to an incredible place in the US . Enjoy life because it is in your hands . Best of luck
I want this channel to grow but I also want it to be my secret little place because I visit your channel now and then and it is just a calming place, the way you edit videos, even your voice. As someone not living in their home country, I need to go and listen to such content that helps me get through difficult days. iN between places, some souls are just meant to be.
It is a strange feeling, you go home and feel a disconnect with old friends. Unless they have traveled and worked abroad also, then they can relate more and you’ll have more in common
Hey Marissa, lovely to see you again. I feel that you're an Aussie at heart and I would like to see you continue your journey down under. Admittedly, it's very natural to do a bit of soul searching after a year away from one's birth home but I do believe your home now is in Australia. Plus, we have a relatively small population for such a large country and need good people like yourself to help our country grow and prosper. I'm aware it's a very difficult decision to leave the US but you're an intelligent young woman with a great work ethic, a kind heart and natural confidence. Look forward to seeing you down under one day in the very near future.
I am old now, but that feeling happened to me too, it’s wanting something so different from the old you, and battling with the cultural and familial expectations of where you were raised. It is difficult to stay home because you aren’t that person, and it’s difficult to stay away because home is like a soft place to land if you need it. I would suggest you open two bank accounts and have one for living and one for dashing back. That way if you work in Australia you get 4 weeks Annual leave and if you play it right over say Christmas you can get 14 days for 7 Annual Leave days. Your young and you can fly home for a quick visit, but what I found was once you have the account, you don’t miss it as much as you think, it’s your access to the soft place that’s important, and once established and you know you can book a flight tomorrow if you want the pressure comes off. Either way it takes about 2-3 years to stop being discombobulated, I found. If you have kids or have a partner this process speeds up. Also, you can’t make the wrong decision, because every decision leads you to the place you need to be, when you need to be there.
best line ever "I don't need extensions, I actually just need therapy". I spat my coffee out. 😂😂 btw i get what your saying, but I'm an Aussie living O/S. but its a little the other way. I feel even more Australian than I do back home. I think its time to come home.
The future you are searching for is connected to your file style and its great environment. Oz will permeate your soul by how treat you and show you empathy and care. Isn’t that what we all want?????.
You become shaped by life good and bad but it’s the environment and experiences that changes the soul. Life is about holding on and going for ride to see what comes your way you can’t will it.
Your videos are great, boots on the ground, real life experiences. I wonder if you could work with a ghostwriter to chuck a book together about 'living the work visa experience'. I feel like, in my time i have learned that, for one, Home is really on the inside. So you only need listen to yourself in order to know what your Home is. And when it comes to friends, the only real thing that trumps time is shared experiences. Good friends care because they know. All the best with everything moving forward. Another great video. Cheers.
Having your life on hold is not as bad as people think, neither is waiting. Waiting means processing, Waiting means rest and recovery. Waiting means sorting out. Waiting is just waiting. The not being able to give things up, for me it represents loss. That part of life that is now past, and past if there is a lot of goodbyes in it, then hanging onto stuff is the not wanting to say goodbye, still hoping...sometimes that hoping is unfulfilling and you just need to let go. In Australia the value is for different goals, different focus, it comes down to what really matters. Sometimes when you are born in cities, you walk away to the opposite, you need to go, because you need place, space, time. Walkabout in Australia is a word, verb and experience, it represents journey from one place to another on foot. Nomadic is a part of many people's lives and souls that is shared, but there are times that the nomads just want to have a place called home, rest, recovery and time. Time to wait and appreciate the waiting, because it means something, its also a discipline that is needed and necessary in life, waiting is a foundation in this earth and life and a lot of time is spent waiting. How you approach it matters and requires maturity. Maturity means something and is appreciated to those that are immature past the date they were meant to mature but didn't happen. I got moved and transitioning from one place to another, I didn't want to move, I didn't let go of a lot of stuff simply put, it wasn't time. I want to do it, when I am not rushed and really say goodby to who and what I need to, and process loss so I can come to the end and say I lived. For every waiting there is a walking and in Australia it is walkabout. Home is in your heart, and always goes with you, because you are at home and in home, so no matter where you are, what you are doing you are always home and in home there is no disconnect.
3 months ain't a long time. It's just one season of the year or 12 weeks approx. Before you know it you'll be back living life again being happy and free. 😎
Well all caught up with childhood habituation even the colour and shape of the leafs, the grass stimulate emotional connections a feeling of "home " like the bios of a computer, Marissa over thinking kept me single
Consider the US West Coast or Hawaii? NYC is a financial center and has a hustle mentality. If that’s you, just changing the city could help. No one knows you there, so it’s pretty much the same as in Australia but you’re closer to home and you don’t need visas!
Disregard the negative replies from some of these sadsacks. You’re a free spirit. I think you’ve realised it now more than ever. Look up the actual definition. It’s a really good thing. I’ve done what you’ve done (working holiday overseas) and worked hospitality and other different job roles for most of my life. I’ve also done 9-5. I much prefer the former and in our country you have the ability to do it and not care about judgement or a lack of money or lifestyle because of it. Despite the cost of living going up everywhere I would say Australia is hands down the best country to be living in right now. Our minimum wage, health system, distance from most of the world’s conflicts and ability for somebody like yourself to explore and be content are endless. We love expats. Our entire country is made up of people from other places that wanted a better life. Being here was great for your soul. You will be happier back in Oz since you’ve got the USA homesick trip out of your system. It was the trip that a lot of us have done after moving overseas and it does give you a greater perspective and appreciation. Next time your family can come see you for an amazing holiday where their dollar will go further too. 👍
While you've had a different perspective for a year, your friends and family have also moved along the path they're on. It's that divergence in lived experiences that causes confusion, because what was your tribe and your values has been altered. All you can do is look at how you are now and which tribe better reflects your values and your goals. It can be difficult when you have these sliding door moments but all you can do is trust in yourself.
Just another Quick note, As your back home and going through all those mixed emotions. To help you feel better, And enjoy the time with family and friends. Remember it's only for 3 months and you will be back in your new life. Don't forget to ( Breath )✈ 🏖
This video just randomly popped up on my feed so I decided to watch it. I laughed so hard, I'm sorry, but I've never seen an existential crisis so played out on video. Fellow Aussie, I think you might be Australian. Hope you choose the path that best suits you, good luck dude!
Also I'd like to add that we've all had similar things you're going through. I'm a lot older, and all my life I never fit in, like I hung out with various groups, had lots of friends in the metal scene, dudes into graffiti, skaters, I did all those things but still felt out of place, then one day when I was 16 I decided I wanted to see if I could get into an 18+ rave. I looked underage, but I bought a ticket the week before and just strolled in (90s were a lot more relaxed lol), BUT, I met people in those first 2 raves that I've been mates with ever since. I found my people, my tribe. You're an Australian, we are your tribe, nothing will ever replace home but as you get older you'll start to realise that you have to do things that make YOU happy so you don't end up a sad shell of a human with regrets. I reckon that'd be the worst hey! Australia seems to do this to people, I'm unsure why . Anyways thank you for the laughs, I mean no disrespect, but since you're an Aussie I'm sure you get it. Embrace being with family and friends, get a shitload of shopping done while in the States,and we can't wait to have you come back home!
Oh man I’ve been in that boat Lived in Europe for a while with the intention of going back. met a girl back in my hometown fell in love that changed everything sometimes.Looking back wondering how different my life would’ve been if I only went back to my life in Europe. now divorced. C’est la la vie.🤷♂️
Being from Boston and living in Australia I have the exact same emotions still now after 12 years that I did from the start of my Australian journey. The same as in your video. Where abouts from the US were you from? And do you think you will ever go back?
Good to see that you’ve realised there’s more to life than money. But, in saying that, you need money to live your life. Move to Australia and enjoy the tiny amount of time we have on this earth. Good luck.
You may be over-analyzing it too much too soon. You might need to settle and see how things go. It will come to you where you'd rather be. It is a big decision and thought does need to be given to the pros and cons, but eventually the real feelings will become known.
This resonates so deeply. I moved to Melbourne from Seattle at the start of 2019, when I was 28, on a Working Holiday Visa. Nearly six years have passed, and I am still here. My partner and I just applied for our Permanent Residency, which feels like a huge milestone! I still have all of these feelings, most notably, the feeling of not being fully at home in either place. But with that, I have created a beautiful community of friends here and those relationships have only deepened and become stronger. They are my family away from home. I am also still incredibly close with my core friends at home, even though we may not talk as much as we used to. My best friend of twenty years is visiting me for the first time next month and I can't wait for her to see my life here in Melbourne. Worlds colliding! It is both a beautiful and tragic thing to love two places so much, it can feel as though your heart is split in two. Enjoy it all and find peace in the fact that you are able to grow and hold space for both ♥
To me it sounds like you’re overthinking the fact of being. Who you are is a construct anyway, but being authentic means acting according to your needs - materially, socially, psychologically, etc, without being mean, selfish or entitled. Ask yourself those questions; as in, what do I need right now? Then be that person.
Dont fret , in my experience of things you would be feeling normal feelings of "going home" . Your own life is openning up and you are now going to need put yourself in the helm. Your family and friends are just that and that side of things will all fall into place. If you need "fashion" maybe America is the place.
If you come back to Australia you need a solid plan to "settle" , get a home (rent or buy) gain permanent status. Covert your working or study into local Australian conditions and upgrade from "VISA JOBs". Join us , become one of us , become Australian! (spooky music ensues)
Australia and US have a very close relationship since WW2 and I think we should open our doors so that you just need a passport . Pretty much the same as kiwis. If you pass a security check and dont have a criminal record you should be welcome to come and stay as long as you like.
Do what makes u happy no matter where that may be! If you work at something that does not make you happy, no matter how much money you make the only thing it will do is make you miserable
There is more people in USA than Australia, so of course there is going to be a lot more shopping or ability to suit the population. Where I live, there is a certain people group catered for, that is the young, so if you mature and are no longer young, you can't get your clothing needs met. From what I gather, the young seem to want the older people to dress in the same age group clothing and foister it on everyone else. Nothing worse than a 60 or 70 or 80 year old to be forced to wear children's/teens/or 20 year old things. People dress in a certain way, and its not my style either, but I let go of style, and value comfort and to be comfortable with what I wear. Dress like a local, however there is always shopping online, and there is always getting in the car and travelling to another town, in order to get my clothing needs met. I live in an Area that does not meet my allergy/health needs that is a little more alarming, particularly when you go through a health crisis and can only eat certain things and when those things are not available its problematic. However there is still travelling to the next town or shopping online. So it becomes in the doesn't matter category and not worth the worry. In the end the stuff doesn't matter and it gets chucked out anyway or recycled or ends up at the dump or some other place and space. And I get to live in an area that is the home of a very rare, unique, cute, bizarre looking mammal, which is one of a kind, no other on the face of the planet. And I get to live in very unique wildlife and nature. I think prefer that.
I know the answer you're looking for. I'm Aussie and I'm from a small place away from the east coast. Growing up I knew nothing about the east coast. When I finally came I was the same as you guys who came here. I was in a bubble. Only I had an Australian visa. I had all the foreign friends. Maybe even only foreign friends. 10 years later I wanted too much in the first few years. Just like someone doing 1 year then trying to do 2 year 3 year and so on. What I did wrong is 1-3 years isn't enough for a life change. You need 5 or 10 years. Therefore what I should have done is come here in stages. So in your case what you should do it just come to Australia for part of the year. You should just find somewhere you like in the US and live for part of the year there then just come to Australia for 3 months every year and not work. Maybe start a business and have your own clients in the US. That's what I'm doing in Australia. I'm going to leave Australia for 3-6 months a year and not work instead of trying to move to a different country. I've got clients so when I come back here for part of the year I've got work. If you just come to Australia and plan to live here and get a sponsor if it all goes pear shaped you will have to go back to the US and look for a job. Why can't all you guys when come here on whv's just fix your problems when you are young and get clients and start a business in your own country and then just travel and not work. I'm not saying it is easy but the basic principle add up if you believe the rule it takes 5 - 10 years to settle into a place. Therefore 1 - 3 working holiday is kind of a waste regardless. At 3 years I wasn't there yet. I still had issues with the difference in life.
Also. It's the US. If I was there I would be having the of my life in business. Why can't you just do something like cleaning residential? And another idea would be coach something? Did you do a sport growing up? I'm just sure you could give advice and sell it. Why are people who do working holidays so un-business minded 🙄 I've never met one who said anything about having there own thing one day. It's always about finding job or going back and getting a job. This mentality is so sad :(
@@nyosito always one psycho that just has to post political stuff. I know it's hard not being able to tell people who I vote for every 20 minutes but with some practice you'll find it's possible!
The older you get, the more you realise that how you look and what you do for a living have very little to do with who you are. If family and friends really love you, they'll just want you to be happy.
Great vlog. Iam from Perth WA born & bred & my wife is from Kent UK. She came out here just like you to travel & explore and then she met me and the rest is history as she fell in love with not only me but our relaxed lifestyle here where we work to live and not live to work. We have travelled extensively both across Aust & O'seas to many countries. May this year we went back to the Uk for a wedding & then travelled most of Europe. Just recently we were in Bali for another wedding & stayed 2 weeks (been to Bali many times). My wifes family are all back in the UK & it was great for her catching up with them in May but she could never go back & live there again as she considers WA and our lifestyle & friends & family here like living in paradise. We have worked hard & now have no debt and own our home with pool , own our cars + 4wd, caravan etc due to the high wages here making that possible. We live near Hillary's Marina if you happened to visit it when you were here and enjoy our beaches and our coast and do spend many weekends up at lancelin where you visited As my wife mentions if she had never got out of her comfort zone and not travelled she would be still stuck in her village where they live in cramped terrace houses in mostly cold weather moaning about their lifestyle but doing nothing about it like time just stood still all their lives. You have no doubt changed as a person since your time away and now you can look in from the outside and see your old life and how it was before and you have probably moved on from that old way of life. Time will tell and you will drive your next journey & perhaps define your destiny. Sounds like you do have a bit of Aussie in you now and embraced our way of life and will be back one day for sure Do check out YT vloggers Kendell & Glenn (she is American & he is an Aussie who have travelled Aus extensively in their Van & 4wd) She did not see her US family for 4yrs
Sounds like you're overthinking things, life is short, enjoy your freedom, you have no ties and skills that are transportable, the old 9-5 work life is dead most of us grew up being slaves to a system which is slowly coming to an end, you'll work it out but enjoy the journey.
Why should we have to top up the staffs wages AFTER we've already bought meals. If you cant afford to pay your staff a living wage and still make a profit, like the rest of the world, then you clearly can't run a business. It's so greedy in the USA, everyone seems to get exploited for everything. Like she's having to pay 130 per month for health insurance. That's evil.
You’re way too young to have all this angst .. listen to your heart and just look for happiness … the rest job etc will come when the cosmos says your ready. Your life has already started … yesterday can’t be changed, tomorrow might not come … today is all we have … so live it hard - wishing you the very best that life offers ….
Young lady i hope you realise being an Australian means lots of flights overseas and then wanting to get back to Oz as fast as you can... the best country in the world is where you call home...
Well I just don't understand what you mean by you're missing out on this wonderful life and I can't figure out why you can't have that kind of life in America what is stopping you from making a wonderful life there does it have to be Australia lived in Australia for 15 years and they've given me nothing but he'll in this in this country same reason why I left America because they're too did nothing but give me hell so the life that you choose is what you choose no place makes it better or worse
Why not consider immigrating to Australia? I'm sure by now that you have realised that the cultural differences between the USA and Australia are much more marked than it appears on the surface. Australia is a much more egalitarian country than the USA because the USA is based in Honor and Australia is based in Dignity.
I came to Australia on a working holiday in the 1970s, from Canada. I am still here in Australia. You can't go back, you change, your old family and friends are on a different path. Australia has so many opportunities. Come back!
I enjoyed watching your observations, interviews and the glimpses of your life you were willing to share.I hope you come back and give us some more but if you don't, thanks for what you have done.
Don't stress about the unknown.Remember, "she'll be right, mate"
Thank you for the comment!
My 2 daughters came to Australia 20 and 15 years ago for grad school and stayed. They are now citizens and have each built a great life here with families. I am on my 10th trip to visit and babysit my new grand daughter for 3 months. It is hard having them so far away, but when I come here, I understand why they stayed. The only negative is the distance. It is a very good life.
Thank you for sharing! How wonderful
“But all my friends moved”. This is exactly what I experienced, plus putting life on hold. Also, you mentioned learning about yourself after moving abroad: sounds like Australia wasn’t your first experience away from home, but perhaps because it was so different, it separated the “you” as a person vs the environment you were in. I think this knowledge is a one way street. I also missed thousands of small things from back in Australia, more so than things from home that I missed while being in Australia. I’ll save this video because it epitomises what I felt, but you so beautifully captured into words
Perhaps Australia stole a little piece of your heart... and that's beautiful.
australia changes you in very small but significent ways. you see different horisons,different sunsets. bigger sky and you grow.
Ahh Marissa, I'm so glad that I've stumbled upon your video. It's as if you were speaking out of my mind. Like, 100%. Everything you've verbalized has been on my mind the past months, but especially the last week. So seeing your video feels a bit like destiny, as it's so soothing to realize that I'm not the only one going through all these feelings and thoughts. I've came to Australia last year in April and am now on my 2nd WHV. I've been back to Germany twice in that time, extremely confused about where I belong and who I actually am. It feels precisely like that, being trapped in an in-between world. Even though I fell in love with Australia, I haven't found a place where I feel home here yet. So I'm constantly feeling the need of seeing other places, to finally find one, where I feel I want to settle. At the same time, traveling is very exhausting and the wish and need to call somewhere home, build a circle of friends, have a "proper" job, a routine and a sense of feeling grounded becomes stronger with each day. Feels like an unsolvable dilemma. Being back in Germany always felt like a relief (at first), because of course, everything there is familiar. I couldn't relate more with the feeling you described of being back in nature in your home country. Was/ Is the same for me. It was nice to be back, felt like I could recharge my batteries, but at the same time it felt somehow wrong. Like I didn't fit into my life there anymore. Even around my family, I had this feeling of not really belonging there. Quite strange and so so confusing. I don't know, it's a real challenge. And reading some of the comments below this video makes me think that the main reason for this confusion is my overthinking brain ):(. Well, I could go on about all this forever, but am leaving it at that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on here, felt like a virtual hug! If you'd ever wanted to connect over this, hit me up on @aurasdiary. Would be nice to sometimes share these thoughts with someone experiencing the same things, as others simply can't understand.
Thank you SO much for sharing your experience, that’s why I love posting! It can feel super lonely and like the feeling of being lost, I’m glad those who feel similar can at least connect. I’m definitely in the “exhausted from traveling” phase now
You are talking about a Greek concept called "Mavri Xenithia". It means the feeling or sensation that people who leave their home feel, where they no longer feel they belong where they came from, and don't feel they fully belong where the are. Its a part of the change process - the places you go to become part of you.
Travel changes a person. Ive travelled since i was a toddler and now im almost 70 and i go to new countries almost every year. Even at my age i still ask the same questions as you do regarding my identity. I have lived in many countries. In truth i am a composite and that is a good thing. We dont have to be 100 percent of any one culture. Pick the best of each place and embrace it and become it. Life has many challenges and the more resilient and pragmatic you are the better you will cope.
@@wayneedwards5589 We never stop learning no matter how old we are.
Looking forward to you coming back to Australia.
I moved to Australia from America in 1983 at the age of 23yo. I am 66yo now and made a good life here. Now, I'm retired and traveling. I like Penang, Malaysia. That will be my next life change.
If you're happy here, continue. You have a soft accent like I do, (midwest) but you will retain it. Asking about where about you come from will diminish. Embrace it.
I have a brother back in the US and visit him every couple of years and am surprised every time I go back. The US seems cruel in a way. The poverty is weird. It's more 'chill' here. I love America. I grew up there and had a scholarship.
Good luck with your future. You have the ability to challenge new things. It enhances your opportunities. Best of luck!
Hey ! So lovely to see you again so soon 🙂. In my experience it is pretty unusual to engage with Australia as much as you seem to have done. It makes me think you are doing the right thing to move back and get a proper life here. One of my real joys was to be working full time in Sydney and enjoying it's amazing lifestyle - Bondi morning swims, sailing on weekends on my small yacht etc. I started and developed careers in Sydney and you will get a lot of support for whatever you choose. Good luck, I'm sure everyone here wishes you well.
Thank you for expressing so many of the issues folk have moving between countries. I first came to Australia when I was 18 and worked across WA in the bush for 3 years interspersed with an overland trip Perth to UK. Formative years. Glad to have escaped the UK in 2022 upon retirement, back to Australia. Re the nature thing I am surprised that over the years I have let go of the deep seated connection to the English countryside garnered from a childhood growing up in a village. So appreciate your articulation of these emotional conundrums that we all face.
There's always a bit of a travel hangover when you have to go back to 'normal' life. You can feel really flat. As you get older you naturally change as well. If you combine the two, which you have, it's natural to feel the way you do. Travel broadens your horizons as well. You're bound to feel like you're a different person.
You are meant to be in Australia. You need that freedom, understanding, respect, work-life balance, and high wages to support that lifestyle that you’ve grown to love.
hahah! taxes much higher in australia higher wages do jack shit for savings in australia taxation theft
@@coopsnz1 In Australia you actually see where your taxes go. Roads are good mostly, beautiful parks everywhere, good infrastructure, your health service isn't crumbling to bits like the UK. Be grateful buddy if you are in Aus , you live in the best western country currently.
@@ProcyonAlpha more than 125 taxes enriches poltical class arsrhole & union leaders ! I paid $40000 taxes on a used 2020 c63s that cost $100000aud lol ! In usa the now $60000aud
@@coopsnz1 Yeah mate, we don't get universal healthcare, well trained police, safe roads or... wait, WE FUCKING DO. And the US taxes is not exactly lower, and where do they go? And how does the price of a car relates to where taxes go, you clown? Are you 12 years old? Really, you're so fucking arse-hurt that someone prefers to live in a country outside of yours. What a sad little git you are.
If you had to pay LCT on your 2nd hand car, generally there’s a credit, it would have been 33% of the amount above the threshold @ $10,890. Add that to the @ $9,000 GST & you paid about $20k tax. Too much I agree but don’t make things up.
I'll admit that my experiences with travel are a bit different to yours. I never did a working holiday when I was younger. I wish I had, but severe neurodivergency, social anxiety and crippling self-doubt all conspired to keep me at bay, and I only managed to gain the confidence to travel on my own at the age of 28. Nonetheless, I can relate to some of the feelings you mentioned. Especially the mixed feelings you feel about coming home, trying to fit back in, kinda happy to be back but also wanting to head back out ASAP. To be honest, I think "home" is wherever you feel safe and supported. Whether that is in Australia or back in the States, I guess that's up to you. That said, I admire how much you've embraced our country and our culture, and hopefully you'll be back here in the near future.
I felt similar in a way when I got home from the UK back in 2019. I wasn't gone as long as you were, but it was still a shock to the system coming back. I think it's also like you said you were having crazy adventures, new places and events happening weekly, even daily. New people, a heightened sense of living. I was almost in a different country everyday over there. Once you come back it's like, oh this is real life again. If you traveled across America and visited new states every other week you would feel that same excitement. It's just going back to a routine that you no longer relate with. You'll start to settle back into life in the U.S. Just keep yourself busy, find some new hobbies etc
The nature part really resonated with me, I never realised how much I love Australian wildlife and nature until coming back. Just the sounds of kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets, maggies. The distinct Australian smells of our natives etc
Lucky the natives don't mind too much when you're smelling them!!
You can live in every corner of the globe, you can buy a thousand wardrobes, you can turn over every leaf and rock and you'll never find "it". Because "it" does not come from the outside, "it" comes from within.
You are going through what every immigrant here goes through. I an a kiwi but lived here in Oz since I was two. And the identity crisis isweird wvery time I go back to NZ. Am I a kiwi or an aussie? In reality I am both and so is every immigrant in Australia. You can have two countries you love.
If you have been here since you were two, you’re definitely half half…..
Although a good while ago, I was an Aussie who lived and worked in London for a year and totally understand what you are saying about returning home.
It is such a confusing time. It is hard to know how to feel. Of course you are happy and excited to be home after being away for so long, but you are also missing what you have just lived for 12 months. It really is a ‘one day at a time’ thing I think.
What I did want to say to you is this - you are not a different person, you are an older and wiser version of yourself. You have learned more about yourself and you have been given the opportunity to really be yourself without an audience of people who have known you your whole life (or at least a part of it). If I can suggest that you take the differences you find with yourself now, and make those your new confidences, and embrace the fact that you have experienced a load of things that those around you now, have not. No, the people around you now do not know everything you have done, learned and experienced, but you do! You are incredibly brave to travel to the other side of the world without your parents and the security of all the things around you. You didn’t just move out and get a job, you travelled, you worked in a different country, you tried different foods, you spent time with people from different countries, you had conversations with people about things that you would never have done if you had never left.
These are the things that make you a better, more experienced person. The things that make you different to when you left are the things that will make the rest of your life different because you have an extra perspective than the people you meet who haven’t had your journey. Embrace the fact that you are a different person and give yourself permission to be who you were when you were here, regardless of the fact that other people may not understand why you might now do things differently, think differently and aspire to things that are different to what you may have once aspired to.
Your video has brought back memories for me, lol. Once I had been home for a couple of months I tried to explain to my mum that I was feeling lost. I grew up knowing that I was going to travel overseas so once leaving school, working to save up, going overseas, seeing all the different things I had always wanted to see (Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower of Pisa, canals of Venice to name a few), I was feeling lost, I had never planned for what would come next … what comes next is life … in which ever way you want it to be. By the way, my mum never understood what I was trying to say 😂
You will be fine. Just remember to embrace those changes and make them part of your life moving forward. Wishing you so much love and that the time goes quickly between now and when you can sort out the next visa! 😁
A year 😂😂🥳 bloody hell, you kids
I enjoyed your honest introspective and all the growth ,feelings and changes you have experienced . I think it shows how truly strong you are. Let me know when you figure it all out. Im confident you will...but Im biased, Love ya, Uncle Mike
Hi Marissa, thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. Hope you can make it back to Australia and see more of our country. Living in a different country changes you, I had two years in England whilst growing up.
Your earlier videos proved that people can survive and thrive without doing the “normal” 9 to 5 grind and can follow their own path. I hope you get to do that back in Australia too.
I love what you’re doing; your honesty and perspectives make your content compelling
Thank you!
Believe in yourself. Wherever you live it’s all up to you. My family emigrated from UK to Australia I am so glad they did. I have worked and travelled in a number of states. Found after a while Queensland became my home. Yes I have travelled OS. But clearly the fresh air, lifestyle,people ,the Flora and Australian only Fauna and lifestyle. I’m an Aussie 🥰🥰🥰🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🦘🦘🦘
different thing is. Poms belong to OUR FAMILY. YOU are family. get it perhaps a Yankee not so much
Hello, Life can be so confusing at times. What should I do, What should I say, If i do this or that what will people think about me , So we try to please others trying not to step on anyone's feet, All this does is prevent your growth and happiness. True friends like you as you are , no judgement, we all have doubts about ourselves. Just do whatever makes you feel happy and calm . And you will automatically attract people who love ❤ you for you . That's true friendship. Not matter what you can't please everyone. That's not your job, if people don't like that , It's there problem. It only affects you if you allow them to. And you no there not the people you want in your life. 🙏🏼🇦🇺 we love you for you, ups and downs
Every way of life comes with its own unique set of struggles and obstacles, it's up to you to decide which of those you are comfortable dealing with, and trying to overcome.
Hi Marissa, I can understand what you’re saying, for me travelling changed me for the better. I’ve not been on a e we irking holiday, but I have travelled a lot. I have felt like I don’t have a home at times.
Hello there Marissa.
Hope you have enjoyed Australia and havd enjoyed your viseo blogs and will miss your videos.
I hope you get the chance to come back " down under" some time in the future.
All the best
Sydney is a wild west of working environments. I've worked in glass high rises and also office/factory setups, in no particular order. Looking to jump into a new job and possibly a whole new group of friends heh.
Your candid open nature is very courageous. I really empathise with your situation. I am a Brit but I lived New York for two years and now I have been in Sydney, Australia for 12 years. I also really struggled with self identity. Where was home?
Also think there is absolutely nothing wrong with not knowing want to do. Life is short and full of surprises. People can play it safe and still lose everything in an unexpected flash.
Anyway I don’t expect you to take this advice but listen “Everybody’s free” by Baz Luhrman. It’s a kind of cheesy spoken word song from the 90s/00s. I guarantee most millennials know it. I think you would be comforted by its wisdom.
Back to “home”. For me things changed when I met my wife, now wherever she is - is home.
Good luck on your next adventures. Life is short and life is precious.
All the best hope the memories are good and linger remember the castle
Watching this video and thinking back to the videos you made before coming to Australia you are definitely a different person. More confident, balanced and mature. Australia made you a better person and you helped make Australia a better country 🙏
Thank you!
Allow yourself to settle back to normal life and when you can go away on the weekends to an incredible place in the US . Enjoy life because it is in your hands . Best of luck
I want this channel to grow but I also want it to be my secret little place because I visit your channel now and then and it is just a calming place, the way you edit videos, even your voice. As someone not living in their home country, I need to go and listen to such content that helps me get through difficult days. iN between places, some souls are just meant to be.
Thank you so much I so appreciate this! ♥️ finding our own relatable content on the internet is so special
It is a strange feeling, you go home and feel a disconnect with old friends. Unless they have traveled and worked abroad also, then they can relate more and you’ll have more in common
Just come back to Australia, we would love to have you as a "New Aussie".
Hey Marissa, lovely to see you again. I feel that you're an Aussie at heart and I would like to see you continue your journey down under. Admittedly, it's very natural to do a bit of soul searching after a year away from one's birth home but I do believe your home now is in Australia. Plus, we have a relatively small population for such a large country and need good people like yourself to help our country grow and prosper. I'm aware it's a very difficult decision to leave the US but you're an intelligent young woman with a great work ethic, a kind heart and natural confidence. Look forward to seeing you down under one day in the very near future.
I am old now, but that feeling happened to me too, it’s wanting something so different from the old you, and battling with the cultural and familial expectations of where you were raised. It is difficult to stay home because you aren’t that person, and it’s difficult to stay away because home is like a soft place to land if you need it. I would suggest you open two bank accounts and have one for living and one for dashing back. That way if you work in Australia you get 4 weeks Annual leave and if you play it right over say Christmas you can get 14 days for 7 Annual Leave days. Your young and you can fly home for a quick visit, but what I found was once you have the account, you don’t miss it as much as you think, it’s your access to the soft place that’s important, and once established and you know you can book a flight tomorrow if you want the pressure comes off. Either way it takes about 2-3 years to stop being discombobulated, I found. If you have kids or have a partner this process speeds up. Also, you can’t make the wrong decision, because every decision leads you to the place you need to be, when you need to be there.
best line ever "I don't need extensions, I actually just need therapy". I spat my coffee out. 😂😂 btw i get what your saying, but I'm an Aussie living O/S. but its a little the other way. I feel even more Australian than I do back home. I think its time to come home.
😂
amazing self awareness, well done
The future you are searching for is connected to your file style and its great environment. Oz will permeate your soul by how treat you and show you empathy and care. Isn’t that what we all want?????.
Thank you for your description of reverse culture shock!
You become shaped by life good and bad but it’s the environment and experiences that changes the soul. Life is about holding on and going for ride to see what comes your way you can’t will it.
You found you in Australia so you now know where your life is heading.
Your videos are great, boots on the ground, real life experiences. I wonder if you could work with a ghostwriter to chuck a book together about 'living the work visa experience'. I feel like, in my time i have learned that, for one, Home is really on the inside. So you only need listen to yourself in order to know what your Home is. And when it comes to friends, the only real thing that trumps time is shared experiences. Good friends care because they know. All the best with everything moving forward. Another great video. Cheers.
Having your life on hold is not as bad as people think, neither is waiting. Waiting means processing, Waiting means rest and recovery. Waiting means sorting out. Waiting is just waiting. The not being able to give things up, for me it represents loss. That part of life that is now past, and past if there is a lot of goodbyes in it, then hanging onto stuff is the not wanting to say goodbye, still hoping...sometimes that hoping is unfulfilling and you just need to let go. In Australia the value is for different goals, different focus, it comes down to what really matters. Sometimes when you are born in cities, you walk away to the opposite, you need to go, because you need place, space, time. Walkabout in Australia is a word, verb and experience, it represents journey from one place to another on foot. Nomadic is a part of many people's lives and souls that is shared, but there are times that the nomads just want to have a place called home, rest, recovery and time. Time to wait and appreciate the waiting, because it means something, its also a discipline that is needed and necessary in life, waiting is a foundation in this earth and life and a lot of time is spent waiting. How you approach it matters and requires maturity. Maturity means something and is appreciated to those that are immature past the date they were meant to mature but didn't happen. I got moved and transitioning from one place to another, I didn't want to move, I didn't let go of a lot of stuff simply put, it wasn't time. I want to do it, when I am not rushed and really say goodby to who and what I need to, and process loss so I can come to the end and say I lived. For every waiting there is a walking and in Australia it is walkabout. Home is in your heart, and always goes with you, because you are at home and in home, so no matter where you are, what you are doing you are always home and in home there is no disconnect.
You are such an insightful observer.
3 months ain't a long time. It's just one season of the year or 12 weeks approx. Before you know it you'll be back living life again being happy and free. 😎
No idea why RUclips sent me here, but glad you enjoyed your time here 🦘
Well all caught up with childhood habituation even the colour and shape of the leafs, the grass stimulate emotional connections a feeling of "home " like the bios of a computer, Marissa over thinking kept me single
Enjoy your time back home. Hope to see you back in Australia, we’re happy to take the lovely Americans 😂 Good luck ❤
Consider the US West Coast or Hawaii? NYC is a financial center and has a hustle mentality. If that’s you, just changing the city could help. No one knows you there, so it’s pretty much the same as in Australia but you’re closer to home and you don’t need visas!
Come home, Australia is calling!
Disregard the negative replies from some of these sadsacks.
You’re a free spirit. I think you’ve realised it now more than ever. Look up the actual definition. It’s a really good thing.
I’ve done what you’ve done (working holiday overseas) and worked hospitality and other different job roles for most of my life. I’ve also done 9-5. I much prefer the former and in our country you have the ability to do it and not care about judgement or a lack of money or lifestyle because of it.
Despite the cost of living going up everywhere I would say Australia is hands down the best country to be living in right now.
Our minimum wage, health system, distance from most of the world’s conflicts and ability for somebody like yourself to explore and be content are endless. We love expats. Our entire country is made up of people from other places that wanted a better life.
Being here was great for your soul. You will be happier back in Oz since you’ve got the USA homesick trip out of your system.
It was the trip that a lot of us have done after moving overseas and it does give you a greater perspective and appreciation.
Next time your family can come see you for an amazing holiday where their dollar will go further too. 👍
While you've had a different perspective for a year, your friends and family have also moved along the path they're on. It's that divergence in lived experiences that causes confusion, because what was your tribe and your values has been altered. All you can do is look at how you are now and which tribe better reflects your values and your goals. It can be difficult when you have these sliding door moments but all you can do is trust in yourself.
Just another Quick note, As your back home and going through all those mixed emotions. To help you feel better, And enjoy the time with family and friends. Remember it's only for 3 months and you will be back in your new life. Don't forget to ( Breath )✈ 🏖
Don't you live in new York? Now that would be amazing. Coming from an Aussie 👌🇦🇺
What are "The Australia vibes in fashion?" How is it specifically, different?
Give it time, you will know where you are most contented.
Where did you leave Kat?
This video just randomly popped up on my feed so I decided to watch it. I laughed so hard, I'm sorry, but I've never seen an existential crisis so played out on video. Fellow Aussie, I think you might be Australian. Hope you choose the path that best suits you, good luck dude!
Also I'd like to add that we've all had similar things you're going through. I'm a lot older, and all my life I never fit in, like I hung out with various groups, had lots of friends in the metal scene, dudes into graffiti, skaters, I did all those things but still felt out of place, then one day when I was 16 I decided I wanted to see if I could get into an 18+ rave. I looked underage, but I bought a ticket the week before and just strolled in (90s were a lot more relaxed lol), BUT, I met people in those first 2 raves that I've been mates with ever since. I found my people, my tribe. You're an Australian, we are your tribe, nothing will ever replace home but as you get older you'll start to realise that you have to do things that make YOU happy so you don't end up a sad shell of a human with regrets. I reckon that'd be the worst hey! Australia seems to do this to people, I'm unsure why .
Anyways thank you for the laughs, I mean no disrespect, but since you're an Aussie I'm sure you get it. Embrace being with family and friends, get a shitload of shopping done while in the States,and we can't wait to have you come back home!
Oh man I’ve been in that boat Lived in Europe for a while with the intention of going back. met a girl back in my hometown fell in love that changed everything sometimes.Looking back wondering how different my life would’ve been if I only went back to my life in Europe. now divorced. C’est la la vie.🤷♂️
Being from Boston and living in Australia I have the exact same emotions still now after 12 years that I did from the start of my Australian journey. The same as in your video. Where abouts from the US were you from? And do you think you will ever go back?
Good to see that you’ve realised there’s more to life than money.
But, in saying that, you need money to live your life.
Move to Australia and enjoy the tiny amount of time we have on this earth. Good luck.
You may be over-analyzing it too much too soon. You might need to settle and see how things go. It will come to you where you'd rather be. It is a big decision and thought does need to be given to the pros and cons, but eventually the real feelings will become known.
If you wanted shopping in Oz, Maggie island was not the place! Don't worry you're now back in the land of 'FREEDOM', life is for learning, be happy.
When are you coming back to Australia? 😊
This resonates so deeply. I moved to Melbourne from Seattle at the start of 2019, when I was 28, on a Working Holiday Visa. Nearly six years have passed, and I am still here. My partner and I just applied for our Permanent Residency, which feels like a huge milestone! I still have all of these feelings, most notably, the feeling of not being fully at home in either place. But with that, I have created a beautiful community of friends here and those relationships have only deepened and become stronger. They are my family away from home. I am also still incredibly close with my core friends at home, even though we may not talk as much as we used to. My best friend of twenty years is visiting me for the first time next month and I can't wait for her to see my life here in Melbourne. Worlds colliding! It is both a beautiful and tragic thing to love two places so much, it can feel as though your heart is split in two. Enjoy it all and find peace in the fact that you are able to grow and hold space for both ♥
To me it sounds like you’re overthinking the fact of being. Who you are is a construct anyway, but being authentic means acting according to your needs - materially, socially, psychologically, etc, without being mean, selfish or entitled. Ask yourself those questions; as in, what do I need right now? Then be that person.
Come back soon.
you have one life to live. you do not get another chance
Australia is the best western country to live in hands down
it’s not. Switzerland is.
@dddddddd5555 Switzerland is too expensive
I feel like you should come back to oz. And that’s coming from a Sydney Sider 😂
Dont fret , in my experience of things you would be feeling normal feelings of "going home" . Your own life is openning up and you are now going to need put yourself in the helm. Your family and friends are just that and that side of things will all fall into place. If you need "fashion" maybe America is the place.
If you come back to Australia you need a solid plan to "settle" , get a home (rent or buy) gain permanent status. Covert your working or study into local Australian conditions and upgrade from "VISA JOBs". Join us , become one of us , become Australian! (spooky music ensues)
Australia and US have a very close relationship since WW2 and I think we should open our doors so that you just need a passport . Pretty much the same as kiwis. If you pass a security check and dont have a criminal record you should be welcome to come and stay as long as you like.
😢the next step of identity is the life you have built. No one finishes where they start
Y'all come back now ya hear...Australia needs quality immigration
After watching this video, I think I need therapy?
Do what makes u happy no matter where that may be! If you work at something that does not make you happy, no matter how much money you make the only thing it will do is make you miserable
There is more people in USA than Australia, so of course there is going to be a lot more shopping or ability to suit the population. Where I live, there is a certain people group catered for, that is the young, so if you mature and are no longer young, you can't get your clothing needs met. From what I gather, the young seem to want the older people to dress in the same age group clothing and foister it on everyone else. Nothing worse than a 60 or 70 or 80 year old to be forced to wear children's/teens/or 20 year old things. People dress in a certain way, and its not my style either, but I let go of style, and value comfort and to be comfortable with what I wear. Dress like a local, however there is always shopping online, and there is always getting in the car and travelling to another town, in order to get my clothing needs met. I live in an Area that does not meet my allergy/health needs that is a little more alarming, particularly when you go through a health crisis and can only eat certain things and when those things are not available its problematic. However there is still travelling to the next town or shopping online. So it becomes in the doesn't matter category and not worth the worry. In the end the stuff doesn't matter and it gets chucked out anyway or recycled or ends up at the dump or some other place and space. And I get to live in an area that is the home of a very rare, unique, cute, bizarre looking mammal, which is one of a kind, no other on the face of the planet. And I get to live in very unique wildlife and nature. I think prefer that.
I know the answer you're looking for. I'm Aussie and I'm from a small place away from the east coast. Growing up I knew nothing about the east coast. When I finally came I was the same as you guys who came here. I was in a bubble. Only I had an Australian visa. I had all the foreign friends. Maybe even only foreign friends. 10 years later I wanted too much in the first few years. Just like someone doing 1 year then trying to do 2 year 3 year and so on. What I did wrong is 1-3 years isn't enough for a life change. You need 5 or 10 years. Therefore what I should have done is come here in stages. So in your case what you should do it just come to Australia for part of the year. You should just find somewhere you like in the US and live for part of the year there then just come to Australia for 3 months every year and not work. Maybe start a business and have your own clients in the US. That's what I'm doing in Australia. I'm going to leave Australia for 3-6 months a year and not work instead of trying to move to a different country. I've got clients so when I come back here for part of the year I've got work. If you just come to Australia and plan to live here and get a sponsor if it all goes pear shaped you will have to go back to the US and look for a job. Why can't all you guys when come here on whv's just fix your problems when you are young and get clients and start a business in your own country and then just travel and not work. I'm not saying it is easy but the basic principle add up if you believe the rule it takes 5 - 10 years to settle into a place. Therefore 1 - 3 working holiday is kind of a waste regardless. At 3 years I wasn't there yet. I still had issues with the difference in life.
Also. It's the US. If I was there I would be having the of my life in business. Why can't you just do something like cleaning residential? And another idea would be coach something? Did you do a sport growing up? I'm just sure you could give advice and sell it. Why are people who do working holidays so un-business minded 🙄 I've never met one who said anything about having there own thing one day. It's always about finding job or going back and getting a job. This mentality is so sad :(
Don't worry, Kamela will fix everything just for you.
@@nyosito always one psycho that just has to post political stuff. I know it's hard not being able to tell people who I vote for every 20 minutes but with some practice you'll find it's possible!
Karen is in the chat
The older you get, the more you realise that how you look and what you do for a living have very little to do with who you are. If family and friends really love you, they'll just want you to be happy.
Great vlog. Iam from Perth WA born & bred & my wife is from Kent UK. She came out here just like you to travel & explore and then she met me and the rest is history as she fell in love with not only me but our relaxed lifestyle here where we work to live and not live to work. We have travelled extensively both across Aust & O'seas to many countries.
May this year we went back to the Uk for a wedding & then travelled most of Europe. Just recently we were in Bali for another wedding & stayed 2 weeks (been to Bali many times).
My wifes family are all back in the UK & it was great for her catching up with them in May but she could never go back & live there again as she considers WA and our lifestyle & friends & family here like living in paradise. We have worked hard & now have no debt and own our home with pool , own our cars + 4wd, caravan etc due to the high wages here making that possible.
We live near Hillary's Marina if you happened to visit it when you were here and enjoy our beaches and our coast and do spend many weekends up at lancelin where you visited
As my wife mentions if she had never got out of her comfort zone and not travelled she would be still stuck in her village where they live in cramped terrace houses in mostly cold weather moaning about their lifestyle but doing nothing about it like time just stood still all their lives.
You have no doubt changed as a person since your time away and now you can look in from the outside and see your old life and how it was before and you have probably moved on from that old way of life. Time will tell and you will drive your next journey & perhaps define your destiny.
Sounds like you do have a bit of Aussie in you now and embraced our way of life and will be back one day for sure
Do check out YT vloggers Kendell & Glenn (she is American & he is an Aussie who have travelled Aus extensively in their Van & 4wd) She did not see her US family for 4yrs
Thanks for sharing your story and the recommendations!
I hope you are coming back.
Sounds like you're overthinking things, life is short, enjoy your freedom, you have no ties and skills that are transportable, the old 9-5 work life is dead most of us grew up being slaves to a system which is slowly coming to an end, you'll work it out but enjoy the journey.
Things change
UK
I refuse to go to a country where their blue collar workers have to beg for extra money just to survive. (tipping)
Why should we have to top up the staffs wages AFTER we've already bought meals. If you cant afford to pay your staff a living wage and still make a profit, like the rest of the world, then you clearly can't run a business. It's so greedy in the USA, everyone seems to get exploited for everything. Like she's having to pay 130 per month for health insurance. That's evil.
If you choose to live in Australia, and you find a partner here, maybe that will make you feel more attached to where you are.
You’re way too young to have all this angst .. listen to your heart and just look for happiness … the rest job etc will come when the cosmos says your ready. Your life has already started … yesterday can’t be changed, tomorrow might not come … today is all we have … so live it hard - wishing you the very best that life offers ….
Welcome to the world of emigration. Most Aussies have their hearts in at least one other country. Who are you? Now you are a citizen of the world.
Young lady i hope you realise being an Australian means lots of flights
overseas and then wanting to get back to Oz as fast as you can...
the best country in the world is where you call home...
You just need to meet an Aussie guy and settle down
Or girl.
Well I just don't understand what you mean by you're missing out on this wonderful life and I can't figure out why you can't have that kind of life in America what is stopping you from making a wonderful life there does it have to be Australia lived in Australia for 15 years and they've given me nothing but he'll in this in this country same reason why I left America because they're too did nothing but give me hell so the life that you choose is what you choose no place makes it better or worse
Wow, very confused girl. Just do what makes you happy, and if it’s Australia then just do it.
Why not consider immigrating to Australia?
I'm sure by now that you have realised that the cultural differences between the USA and Australia are much more marked than it appears on the surface.
Australia is a much more egalitarian country than the USA because the USA is based in Honor and Australia is based in Dignity.
It’s a great time to get your mind off yourself and discover a relationship with Jesus Christ.
decide WHERE YOU WANT TO BELONG
Jebus, Lighten up. Enjoy what you enjoy and stop over analyzing everything. Got kids? No. Lifes short and dont sweat the small stuff
nails, hair extensions, therapy etc, please don't come back...
Have you ever been to bondi? 😂😭