Made in Madras, mellowed in Melbourne: Finding a home away from home
Disclaimer: This isn’t the story of a career built or a mountain climbed. It’s an unfiltered, vulnerable documentation of being a work in progress.
Unfamiliar faces. Surreal encounters. A sense of displacement and yearning for belonging. The recurring patterns in my dream were subconsciously hinting at what’s to come: a major life reset. Trust me, I had no expectations, nor was I prepared.
I was uprooting myself from what I called home for 29 years — Chennai. The city that fuelled my soul and shaped my identity.
Everything unfolded in a jiffy. An Australian partner visa hit my inbox after two months of anxiously waiting and following up with the immigration agent. I packed my bags and memories. Bid goodbye to everyone who was an integral part of my life. There was no looking back. I knew life was never going to be the same.
After a 13-hour flight, the cabin crew’s words, echoing ‘You are about to land in Melbourne’, stirred my heart, still in denial mode. Winter was coming for me (quite literally). A cool breeze caught me off guard. My partner welcomed me with a jacket for momentary respite.
The reality check
It was a whole new world out there. Skyscrapers. Fancy automobiles zipping past me. Wider roads. Clear skyline. A sea of diverse faces. I was finally home (away from home).
Within hours, my zombie mode (jet lag) got activated. Reality hit hard. I was all alone within four walls. Was it liberating or limiting? A roller coaster of emotions engulfed me. My filter coffee, auto rides, homemade food, social circle… how do I let go of a part of me when it wasn’t practical to hold on to it either? I suffered from a bout of inescapable homesickness.
My partner and his friends were a much-needed antidote. They checked in on me, cared for me, fed me, showed me around… Some blessings come in disguise, but never forget to count them.
Over days, the newness grew on me. Normalcy set in. My spiritual endeavours calmed my nerves. The universe was kind, and I had plenty of reasons to be grateful for.
I was woken up every morning by the whispers of winged friends who frequented our home, adding colour and charm to our lives. The silence, once deafening, was comforting. My profession, back home, and running errands kept my plates full. A video call with my folks was mandatory. My life circled the kitchen, backyard, work desk, and lounge.
Counting the blessings
It was my first winter. I was awed by nature’s way of healing and repairing itself by resetting and pausing. Gloomy skies. Gusts of wind. The accompanying howls. Sporadic rainfall. Abandoned trees with empty branches.
But none of it deterred me from my everyday walks. ‘People walk their dogs, seldom walk alone,’ I was told. The strolls refreshed me, helped collect my thoughts, and channel my energy positively. Winter taught me lessons on survival and sustenance.
Melbourne’s mood swings were worse than mine. One moment, sharp sun rays pierced through the window. Only to be followed by a pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof. The best was witnessing rainbows, sometimes double rainbows if you’re lucky. The sunset added a layer of beauty to our house. There was room for all seasons, and I felt safe on nature’s lap.
The city of Melbourne, in strange ways, reminded me of Chennai. For its cosmopolitanism. For its love of heritage and all things vintage. For its fondness for coffee. For its beautiful beaches. Little did I know that I would fall for its busyness, mochas, enviable food scene, verdant parks, public transport commute, art, culture, and so on…
The teacher called ‘life’
Life in a new city teaches you lessons that no confines of comfort can. First of all, there’s a lot to unlearn. To each their own. Then, you’re all by yourself. You carry the responsibility of representing another nation. Not every battle is worth fighting. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Money can buy you everything, but you would think twice. It can always be your second home, but never first. Most important of all: nothing comes easy.
I started my career as a journalist and, after five years, pivoted into higher education communications. It wasn’t planned. I’d often wonder if it was too soon to have a career pivot. But little did I know that the work I did as part of the communications team of a university would give me purpose. Today, after having moved countries and despite witnessing the education landscape undergo complex challenges, I continue to pursue opportunities in the field, hoping to bring a meaningful impact to the academic community. I agree that it takes courage, conviction, and some confidence to chase your calling even amid uncertainties.
Navigating the job market can be daunting. The last few months have been a humbling experience and a masterclass in resilience for me. I’ve applied for multiple jobs suitable for my profile. Only for my inbox to be filled with automated rejections. What’s worse, I’ve been ghosted more. Over time, you develop immunity to rejection letters. But here’s what I know: skills are transferable and international experience counts.
I’ve reworked my resumes and cover letters. But these pieces of advice never stop coming by.
‘The market is pretty bad.’
‘Getting your first break is not easy.’
‘The field is undergoing changes.’
‘Where’s the local experience?’
‘Your profile is impressive, but we will get back to you soon.’
‘Do you have an educational qualification from a university here?’
‘Life gets easy after your first job.’
Fair on their part, maybe. Don’t listen to them all; be selective. Impostor syndrome comes knocking at your door. Just don’t let the uninvited guest step in.
The road ahead
It’s been a few months. I haven’t given up. My search continues aggressively. I’ve been self-studying and upskilling myself to land a full-time job in a field I’m passionate about. The whole process has led me to self-introspection. ‘Who am I?’, ‘Is this what I want?’, ‘What can I do to get this?’ Endless questions scream for attention. I don’t have all the answers. Success is not instant. The trick is to keep showing up.
Each day, I’m getting a better hang of the job market. I’m connecting with new people and expanding my network.
Today, I’m volunteering at a toy library and an op shop. They allow me to meet people from all walks of life and cater to their needs. I’m doing a part-time gig, and I’m a freelance contributor with a newspaper. I want to do more. ‘Why didn’t I start earlier?’ is a question I’d never have an answer for. I enjoy wearing different hats. Each teaches me more than the other.
When there’s a creative spark, I write down poetry. I bake, listen to stories, meaningful podcasts, and read books that encourage me to stay curious and keep my inner child alive.
Remember, no two days are the same. Life goes on. You are your own cheerleader. Celebrate your small wins. Your designation/job status does not define you. What’s yours will come by. Hold on to that glimmer of hope, even when nothing works out. It’s okay. You’re not alone. Know your worth and never settle for anything less.
It’s been nearly a year of calling Melbourne my home; what a journey it has been!
Written by
Vaishali Vijaykumar
