Exactly one year ago today I made the leap across the pond and began my journey here in Australia. Coming with a loose plan to work in Sydney and see what opportunities came my way, gave me the freedom to take on new challenges and explore my potential to work in a variety of roles, from bartending and promoting to an assistant at one of Sydney’s biggest PR companies.
Following a summer of fun spending my days on the beach and partying the weekends away with new friends from all corners of the world, I realised that I needed to get my farmwork under my belt if I wanted to stay another year. Soon I found myself going from glamourous city job living in the homely hood of Paddington, to out in Aussie countryside where I was plunged into the winter farm life of the Southern Highlands (yes, Australia does get cold too!). Whilst it was a bumpy start, soon I found my feet with a fabulous group of friends and a proper Aussie boyfriend! I discovered the area is very much like the quaint English village I’m from and I enjoyed living the simple country life for four months.
October rolled around and it was my Mum’s big 60th birthday which I flew back home to England for. It was amazing seeing all of my friends and family who are so proud of me and can see the happiness life in Oz has rewarded me with. However those three weeks went far too quickly and saying goodbye again was very emotional, as I knew this time I was in it for the long run.
Back in Sydney I couldn’t wait to hit the ground running. I landed the role back in the PR company I was at previously and soon found a new flat in Sydney to move into in the new year. During the Christmas holidays I finally got some time off to enjoy with my boyfriend and we were spoilt by family and friends welcoming us to join celebrations down the coast.
Now I begin 2019 with everything I could’ve ever dreamed of achieving in my first year in Oz; a fantastic job in PR, a beautiful flat overlooking the harbour bridge, lots of great new friends and my Aussie man by my side. Who knows what is around the corner for me this year, but I do know that I’ve already made lifelong friends who I’ve shared some incredible memories with and look forward to many more.
Dani Aneka 