maggie Li

Story

In 2003, I came to Australia as a tourist, I travelled to Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra and thought Australia was a beautiful and nice country. I also hoped that my daughter could have a good English education, which could expand her opportunities for her future, so I decided to immigrate to Australia.

In November, 2006 we left my home, China with my family to immigrate to Melbourne, Australia by airplane. It was winter when we left Beijing airport with heavy coasts and we finally arrived in Melbourne after we had travelled for about 16 hours. It was summer and so hot in Melbourne, so we all had to take off heavy clothes at the airport.

We enjoyed the Chinese music, Chinese movie and delicious Chinese food on the plane. My daughter was very happy, however, we felt very lonely and pretty different when we arrived at the Melbourne airport. We looked like the deaf-mute people landing in this strange country; even my daughter could not buy food and drink by herself. My daughter asked me, ‘ Mum, when will I go back Beijing?’

We had to stay at my friend\’s house in the beginning and then we made efforts to rent a house to settle down. We eventually found one which was near the primary school, transportation and shops within one kilometre away from Box Hill. My daughter went to Blackburn English Language School to study English which helped her to open her mouth and not be afraid to speak. In that school she met many other children who were immigrants who wanted to exchange experiences with her, so she decided to remain in Australia. My husband went back China to do his business and he often goes between China and Australia.

Our life in Australia is happy with poise and satisfaction and my daughter is growing up and she enjoys her Aussie friends and study.

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