Immigration to Australia: The Other Side of the Coin
Introduction
Hello everyone! This is Perth Two People, and I'm Shuai. I'm sure many of you have watched my last video about the 12 benefits of immigrating to Australia. Today, I'm going to talk about the 10 major disadvantages, or drawbacks, of immigrating to Australia. I believe you all want to know more about the negative aspects because, as the saying goes, a bucket can only hold as much water as its shortest plank. Understanding the worst-case scenario and the biggest drawbacks will help you make a more informed decision about whether immigrating to Australia is right for you.
1. Time-consuming, Labor-intensive, and Expensive Process
Immigrating to Australia is a long and arduous process that requires a significant amount of time, effort, and money. If you can obtain Australian citizenship within five years, consider yourself lucky. There are many people who have been in Australia for ten years and still haven't got their citizenship. During this process, you can't expect everything to go smoothly. You need to constantly work hard to improve your English, study, and work part-time to achieve a good result. It's not as simple as just enrolling in a school and getting by. You need to have at least an IELTS score of 6 or 7 in each section to be eligible to apply for skilled migration or employer sponsorship.
In addition to the time and effort, the cost is also a major factor. You have to pay for your tuition fees, living expenses, and all other costs in Australia. If you come from a wealthy family, your parents may be able to support you. However, if your family's financial situation is average, you will have to pay for everything yourself. You will have to work part-time while studying, often working long hours like 996 or 007, just to save enough money to complete your studies and apply for a visa. Even after all your hard work, there is no guarantee that you will be able to obtain Australian citizenship. You may end up with nothing after years of effort, and you may not be willing to give up because you have invested so much time and energy. So, I suggest you set a time limit for yourself, such as five, six, or seven years. If you still haven't obtained Australian citizenship by then, it's time to go back to your home country.
2. Language Barrier and Cultural Differences
Australia is a multicultural country, but the official language is English, not Mandarin. Mandarin is just one of the many minority languages in Australia. Even if you are fluent in English, you may still encounter language barriers and cultural differences. You will never be able to fully integrate into Australian society and will always be a minority.
I have a friend who doesn't speak a word of English. He can't even order food at KFC without my help. He works in a Chinese company, eats at Chinese restaurants, and shops at Chinese supermarkets. In this case, what's the point of coming to Australia? I used to work at a local supermarket in Australia. When I was taking a break in the staff lounge, I couldn't understand a word of what the local Australians were saying. I thought it was my problem at first, but then I realized that it wasn't. They were talking about local events, celebrities, music, and movies that I had no idea about. Just like how foreigners can't understand Chinese cross talk, we can't understand their conversations either.
3. Homesickness and Loneliness
When you are in a foreign country, you will inevitably feel homesick and lonely, especially during holidays. You will see your friends and family back home posting pictures of their happy reunions on social media, while you are alone in a cheap shared apartment in Australia, scrolling through your phone and not even wanting to eat. You have to queue up to use the kitchen, bathroom, and toilet in the shared apartment. Is it really worth it to leave your family and friends behind just to earn a little more money?
When you are old and lying on your deathbed, you will not remember how much money you have in your bank account. You will remember the happy times you spent with your loved ones, such as your parents, children, friends, and spouse. These are the things that truly matter in life, not money.
4. Disconnection from Australian Society
Even if you have been in Australia for a long time, you may still feel disconnected from Australian society. You will still be more interested in Chinese news, celebrities, social issues, and variety shows. You will still use Chinese apps like WeChat, Weibo, and Douyin. You will not care about what's happening in Australia, such as local news, TV shows, and events. It's as if you are living in a dream world, and Australia is just a passing scene.
When your Australian friends talk to you about local events, such as concerts and sports games, you will be completely clueless. You will feel like you are living in a different world. You will not be able to understand the local news on TV, even if you have a good command of English. You will only be able to understand the first few words, such as "Good morning everyone, this is 7 news." You will be completely out of touch with Australian society, except for earning and spending money.
5. Difficulty in Finding a Partner
If you are a man and haven't obtained Australian citizenship yet, it can be very difficult to find a partner in Australia. You will see that many women who came to Australia around the same time as you have already found local white boyfriends and got married and had children. They have already obtained Australian citizenship. On the other hand, you may not have even had a conversation with a local woman in all these years. You will see your friends and classmates back home getting married and starting families, even though they may not earn as much money as you do. You will feel anxious and frustrated.
In Australia, it seems like everyone is either busy making money, studying, or trying to obtain Australian citizenship. There is very little time for pure love and relationships.
6. Spiritual Emptiness
After working hard for five days a week, you may not know what to do on weekends. You may want to go to the movies, but you can't understand the dialogue without subtitles. You may want to join a club or an activity, but you can't fit in because you don't understand the language or the culture. You may want to go to a bar to have a drink and listen to music, but you can't understand the lyrics. You may want to have dinner with friends, but everyone is busy. So, you end up staying at home alone, scrolling through your phone.
When you first came to Australia, you may have been excited to explore the new country and culture. However, as time goes by, you will feel more and more bored and lonely. Your spiritual life will be almost non-existent. In this state of boredom and loneliness, you may be tempted to turn to drugs, gambling, or other harmful activities. Many Chinese people in Australia have fallen into this trap and have become addicted to these things.
7. Cultural Disconnection with Children
If you are lucky enough to obtain Australian citizenship and get married and have children in Australia, your children will grow up as Australians. They will receive Australian education and will be more influenced by Australian culture. If you have the time and money, you can send them to Chinese language classes and teach them about Chinese culture. However, if you are too busy working to make ends meet, your children may not have the opportunity to learn Chinese or understand Chinese culture.
As a result, your children may only be able to speak a little Chinese, but they may not be able to read or write it. They may not know anything about Chinese history, literature, or traditions. You will feel a sense of cultural disconnection with your children. You will not be able to share your cultural heritage with them, and they will not be able to understand your values and beliefs.
8. Racial Discrimination
Racial discrimination is a serious issue in Australia. Although it may not be as obvious as in some other countries, it still exists. You may encounter racial discrimination in various forms, such as being stared at, being called names, or being treated differently because of your race. You may also face discrimination in the workplace, in schools, or in other social settings.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation has become even worse. There have been many reports of racial discrimination against Asians in Australia. You need to be prepared to deal with this issue and to stand up for yourself if you encounter it.
9. Social Security Issues
Australia is generally a safe country, but there are some areas where the social security situation is not very good. These areas are usually populated by low-income people, immigrants, and ethnic minorities. In these areas, you may encounter problems such as theft, robbery, and violence.
If you are planning to buy a house in Australia, you need to be careful about the location. You should avoid buying a house in an area with a high crime rate. You should also take precautions to protect yourself and your property, such as installing security cameras and alarms.
10. Legal Issues
The legal system in Australia is different from that in China. You need to be familiar with the Australian laws and regulations to avoid getting into trouble. For example, in Australia, it is illegal to hit a child, even if they are stealing from you. If you do, you may be arrested and charged with assault.
In addition, the Australian legal system is very complex and can be difficult to understand. If you are involved in a legal dispute, you may need to hire a lawyer to represent you. This can be very expensive.
Conclusion
In conclusion, immigrating to Australia has its advantages and disadvantages. Before making a decision, you need to carefully consider your personal situation, your goals, and your values. You need to weigh the pros and cons and decide whether immigrating to Australia is right for you.
I hope this video has been helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for watching, and see you next time!