I met Cíntia in Australia … She knew a friend of mine back in Portugal, and we went for coffee once after she landed in Melbourne. For the past 2 years, I’ve seen her grow every single day as a person, professional and travel – she is damn good person to follow and I am so happy to call her my friend. Please, check this wonderful interview with all the tips from another Portuguese woman living in Australia.
- Name: Cíntia Sofia
- Nationality: Figueira da Foz, Portugal
- Age: 27 years old
- Occupation: Designer / Photographer
Tell me a bit about yourself…
I consider myself a person who is not afraid of taking risks, to jump, to fall, to explore… When I want something, I am the one who goes and fights for it: my mind never stops dreaming about new things and I always want more: I’m happy like this!
I really love meeting new people, places, cultures, learning more and constantly.
Tell me something fun about you…
Last year, I traveled for 2 months in Indonesia and when I returned to Australia I had to make the decision: go back to Portugal or continue to travel. Basically, I had 2 suitcases made: one with summer clothes to return to Portugal and another with Winter clothes to fly to New Zealand. I chose the second option and that was the best thing I could have done: I traveled alone in the middle of nature, without social media, rules and routines…
1. What pushed you to move abroad? And why Australia?
What made me leave my comfort zone (Portugal) was my desire to evolve, to grow personally and professionally. I needed a challenge and that’s why I decided to come to the other side of the world.
2. When did you move to Aussie land? Did you move alone?
I arrived in Australia on September 18, 2017.
I came with one of my best friends: we both wanted to learn English. We left Portugal together and we lived 7 months together in Melbourne. After that, he decided to return to Portugal and I decided to stay.
3. How was the process of moving to the other side (packing, visa, saying goodbye to your family and friends)
The preparation was easy for me, because I arrived with a student visa, I had a company (information planet) that helped me with the whole process: visa, health insurance, plane ticket… When I arrived I just had to find a place to live.
Same. It was easy to say goodbye to my family and friends because I know I go back much more “rich” culturally, personally and professionally. The night before I flew to Australia, 10 of my friends stayed with me until 6 in the morning to enjoy the last few moments with me. My friends are like a big family to me and even though, I’m far away I know that when I come back, they will all be waiting for me.
4. Did you have any friends in Australia before settling there?
Yes. I met two Australians in the Netherlands and it was from them that I began to think about Australia as a destination to live.
5. Did you speak English before moving?
No, I did not! Every time I listened to a song or watch a movie in English, I always felt very “dumb” because I just did not understand anything. Learning English was a goal that I had for a long time… In Portugal, I even had private English lessons but between work and other hobbies, I ended up never investing myself as much as I should have. It was at this point that I realized moving to an English-speaking country would help me much faster.
6. I believe you miss your family and friends from Portugal. How do you manage that?
I miss them, of course! … But, to be honest, I think I manage it very well. The fact that I am so independent and I have so many projects and goals helps me to focus on the present rather than the past/ people I left in Portugal. It may seem crazy but I think what I miss the most is my car: my tiny car! Another thing, sometimes it is hard not to be close to my friends who are having babies. sometimes I feel I am “losing” moments.
7. How often do you fly back to Portugal?
Since I moved to Australia, I have not been back. I am planing to go back in 2020.
8. What is the most difficult thing when you live abroad?
The hardest? Nothing is difficult when we want something so bad. Perhaps the most complicated part is the language: in New Zealand and in the north of Australia the English pronunciation is more complicated… But I always get around.
9. In regards to job opportunities…
– How easy did you find a job in AU?
Australia is a country full of opportunity! I got here, I did not speak English and I still got a job. A few days after arriving, I received a call from someone asking me if I wanted to work as a graphic designer and photographer, and a year and a half later, here I am. If you want, fight hard and things will happen!!
– What exactly are you doing?
At the moment, I am working full time in a Graphic Design company, it was what I wanted. On the weekends, I work in photography: weddings, baptisms, photo shoots … Also, I’m working as a freelancer on 3 other projects here in Australia – basically I always have a lot to do.
– Is this a different occupation from the one you had in Portugal?
At the moment, yes. When I was in Portugal, I worked full-time in a photography company and in my spare time I used to do some graphic design projects. I’ve been doing this for 10 years now and I sincerely LOVE what I do.
10. I know you worked in farms collecting bananas and pineapples to get your 2nd year visa in Australia.
– How was that experience?
Yes, we Portugueses have the option of working 88 days in a farm or in hospitality / tourism area. I chose to work in a farm to have the experience of living / working in agriculture. Let’s say the experience was VERY hard physically and psychologically. In Northern Australia, I worked at the Paradise Pines farm where I experienced very hot days (about 45º sometimes), many cyclones, spiders, snakes, frogs and other animals that I do not know the name of. It was nice to know what it’s like to live for 3 months in the middle of nowhere and hang out with local people and backpackers.
For 3 months, I slept in a container, cooked in a small camping stove, wash my clothes by hand and ate a lot of pineapple, watermelon and mango. It was perhaps the most modest life I’ve ever had, close to sea of hot water full of crocodiles, sharks, jellyfish and others – only in Australia.
– Any advices for Portuguese who wished to find a job in Australia….
My advice to anyone who wants to have the farm experience is to search before arriving: it is essential to know about harvest periods; the types of fruits to pick up… It also helps a lot to have a car because you can easily stop by anywhere to ask if they need people to work. I did not have car, so the only solution was to spend hours on the phone, insisting a lot, talking to friends of friends… Another important detail, the ideal is to find a farm that pays per hour and not per KG or bucket (another tip). In my modest opinion, it is not easy to find farms to work but I did it so can you.
11. Have you traveled in the country? Where have you been?
Yes, I did a roadtrip on the East Cost, I started in Sydney and finished in Cairns. I had visited Tasmania, a very beautiful island. When I travel, I always enjoy exploring as much as I can, hiking, climbing mountains, swimming in lakes, jumping into rivers, exploring deserted beaches, national parks…
12. The best and the worst about Australia
– The best …
- Favorite food: Australia does not have much choices in terms of food: between kangaroo and crocodile, I love kangaroo! On the other hand, I am a huge fan of Asian food and here in Melbourne there is a lot of choice.
- Favorite place: Brunswick heads and Tasmania
- Favorite sport: Here they are crazy about the horse rides.
- Favorite expression: “Heyy Mate” or “Good on ya!” There are the easiest ones.
– The worst
- The worst about Australia: the fact that is so far from Europe.
13. Any particular advice for those who wish to move to another country
Yes, Australia is a fair country with many opportunities. Here, I can work on what I like, save some $$$$, travel and enjoy life on my own way. For those who are looking for a change, you should keep in mind the distance (Australia is far) so, it is not always easy. Also, you need to bring money, Australia is an expensive country. But overall is worthwhile, imagine all the Asian countries/ New Zealand so close that you can explore.
14. One sentence to describe Australia and your Aussie experience…
Australia is a young country… Here there is still much to explore. For me, this adventure has been truly a discovery of the country and of myself, as a person.
Instagram: @cintia_sofia
Página Facebook: Cíntia Sofia
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Cíntia, amor: obrigada por partilhares connosco a tua experiência na Austrália. Aos interessados em viver na terra dos cangurus, não hesitem em contactar a Cíntia… Tenho a certeza que ela vos vai poder ajudar muito.
Beijinho,
Daniela