The Dream Begins
Like many students from Nepal, I dreamed of studying in Australia. The land of kangaroos, Tim Tams, and people who say “G’day” instead of “Hello.” It seemed like a paradise—until I realized that moving there was a mini adventure of its own.
From the moment I told my relatives about my plan, I became a free consultant for every family member who wanted to know about visas, universities, and, of course, “Australia ma basna sajilo cha?” (Is it easy to live in Australia?). Spoiler alert: It depends on how well you can survive on instant noodles.
Packing Woes: The Battle Between Mom and Suitcase
Packing was an Olympic event in my house. My mom tried to fit an entire Nepali kitchen into my suitcase. Pressure cooker? Check. Masala packs for the next five years? Check. Three dozen pairs of socks? Because apparently, Australia has a sock crisis.
After hours of negotiation, I managed to remove half the items, but my mom was determined to sneak in some last-minute “essential” pickles. When I arrived at the airport and placed my luggage on the scale, the airline staff gave me that look—the one that says, “You’re definitely over the limit, my friend.”
Tribhuvan International Airport: A Comedy Show
If you’ve ever flown from Tribhuvan International Airport, you know it’s an experience like no other. The security checks felt like an interrogation. The officer asked, “Timi Australia ma ke garna janu lagya ho?” (What are you going to do in Australia?)
Me: “Padhna janey ho sir.” (I’m going to study.)
Officer: “Dami ho! Mero bhatij pani Australia ma cha.” (Nice! My nephew is in Australia too.)
After what felt like a family gossip session, I was finally allowed through.
The Flight: 16 Hours of Overthinking Life Choices
Long flights are fun for the first 30 minutes, and then you realize you still have 15 and a half hours to go. I had two choices: watch movies non-stop or reflect on my life decisions. I chose the latter for about 10 minutes before realizing that was a terrible idea.
Then came the airplane food. Let’s just say, after a few bites, I deeply regretted arguing with my mom about packing homemade snacks.
First Impressions of Australia: Where’s the Kangaroo?
After landing in Australia, I was greeted by friendly immigration officers, fresh air, and the realization that everything was so expensive! My first purchase was a bottle of water, and I had a mini heart attack looking at the price. Back home, that money could buy me momos for a week!
Then came the struggle of understanding the Aussie accent. “How ya goin’?” completely confused me. Where am I supposed to be going?!
The Reality Check
The first few weeks were all about adjustments. I discovered that in Australia, people actually follow traffic rules, customer service people smile at you, and yes, you really do have to do your own laundry. No more mom magically making my clothes clean and folded!
Finding a part-time job was another adventure. I went from applying for jobs in formal emails to just walking into stores and asking, “Hey mate, are you hiring?” And just like that, I started my first shift at a supermarket, where I learned that customer service means smiling even when someone yells at you for no reason.
The Homesickness Hits… and Then You Adapt
No matter how exciting a new place is, homesickness is real. I missed dal bhat, Dashain celebrations, and even the stray dogs of Kathmandu. But soon, I found my own little Nepali community, shared meals with friends, and even tried to make my own momos (which turned out more like weird dumpling-shaped objects).
The Takeaway
Moving to Australia from Nepal is a journey filled with excitement, struggles, and a lot of funny moments. From overstuffed suitcases to decoding Aussie slang, every day is an adventure. But as time goes on, you learn, grow, and adapt—until one day, you realize you’ve started saying “no worries, mate” like a true Aussie.
So, to anyone planning their journey: expect the unexpected, enjoy the process, and always, always pack some extra wai wai!