Chapter 1: The Leap into the Unknown

"Are we out of our minds?" my partner pondered the night before our flight across the globe to forge a new life. We were on the brink of leaving behind everything we had spent four decades building.

That was five years ago.

With three young children and five suitcases in tow, we had taken out a loan to cover my first semester of graduate studies. This single moment encapsulated all we owned at that time.

Fast forward to today, I have successfully established a new life with my family, 13,000 kilometers from our homeland. I envisioned penning an elaborate narrative about how my exceptional team managed to navigate this monumental shift and carve out a new existence in Australia—and I intend to do just that.

However, as I sit here in the living room of our rented home, I find myself lacking a visa that would secure permanent residency in Australia (or at least a pathway to it). Despite this, I feel immense pride and joy, yet I'm also overwhelmed, prompting me to share this moment with you.

We ventured into the unknown together.

Separated by almost 13,000 kilometers, we transitioned from Belgrade, Serbia, to Perth, Western Australia. Was it courage or sheer folly?

We made the tough decision to leave our well-paying jobs behind, to relinquish the social capital we had painstakingly built over 20 years in our home country. I stepped away from my flourishing career in marketing, my parenting blog, and various writing opportunities to start anew, despite being over 40 and perceived as "too old." We transitioned from being managers and influencers to working as cleaners.

We faced unimaginable hardships (and "hard" hardly encapsulates the extent of our struggles). Job opportunities eluded us, regardless of our impressive credentials. We toiled as cleaners for up to 16 hours each day, barely seeing our children except at bedtime. I was required to pass every exam at Edith Cowan University just to maintain our student visa and allow us to remain in Australia. Living in someone else’s home, we lacked the financial means or credit history to secure our own place.

On some nights, I was too exhausted to drive, fearing I might crash due to fatigue. Each moment was consumed by work or study, and I often wondered how I managed to feed our family and care for three children.

In the midst of desperation, I also found awe in our resilience.

The strength of my children astounded me; they never complained, even as we turned their lives upside down.

Section 1.1: The COVID Challenge

Then came 2020 and the onset of the COVID pandemic. Our plans to return to Serbia were dashed, leaving us uncertain about where we truly belonged—caught between two worlds. We resolved to stay and persist, navigating each day as it came.

We diligently worked toward our goals while trying to maintain our sanity and support one another.

Subsection 1.1.1: Building a New Life Together

Together, we have constructed a completely new life. Today, I work full-time as a marketing specialist and have secured sponsorship from my company to remain in Australia. My husband now drives a truck instead of leveraging his skills as a mechanical engineer or manager, opting for better pay rather than starting anew in a different field. I am at the dawn of a new venture—rebuilding my marketing side hustle and reclaiming my status as a marketing expert, this time in a new market and language.

The children have adjusted wonderfully, made new friends, and are thriving. We’re anxiously awaiting that elusive visa (the Australian immigration system is notoriously convoluted, but that’s a topic for another day), so we can finally plan our trip back to Serbia, purchase our own home, and breathe a little easier.

Chapter 2: Reflection and Inspiration

I began my writing journey on Medium in January 2023, dedicating my time, knowledge, and effort to each article. Though I have a passion for writing, I'm still honing my skills in English, hoping to reach the same level of proficiency I have in Serbian.

Today, I poured my heart and soul into this narrative, along with the tears of pride and gratitude that accompany it.

While this story may not resonate with everyone, it holds immense significance for me. If you find yourself contemplating immigration or any significant life change, I encourage you to take that leap! You are capable of much more than you realize. Perhaps I can inspire you to make a transformative decision in your life.

Dare to dream big. Open your mind to new opportunities. If you're unhappy where you are, don’t hesitate to move—you’re not a tree! Pursue your goals with determination, not someone else’s agenda. Keep your loved ones close; they are your fortress!