A Conversation About Life, Photography, and Immigration in Australia
This article summarizes a conversation with Joy, a photographer originally from Shanghai, about her experiences living and working in Australia. Joy shares her insights on studying, working, and immigrating, along with her perspectives on different Australian cities and their cultural scenes.
Joy's Journey to Australia
Early Years and Education
Joy moved to Australia in 2000 to pursue her studies at Sydney University. After graduating, she returned to Shanghai and worked in media for several years before deciding to return to Australia for further education. She mentioned a trend of going abroad in Shanghai during that time and a personal desire to see the outside world.
Returning to Australia for a PhD
After working in Shanghai, Joy felt the pressure of the fast-paced city life. She returned to Australia to study for a PhD at the University of Brisbane, focusing on the creative industry. This decision was driven by a desire for a change of pace and a passion for her research topic. Her academic pursuits included a course she really enjoyed: politics.
Working as a Lecturer and Gaining Permanent Residency
Lecturing and Immigration
After completing her PhD, Joy worked as a lecturer at Perth University in Western Australia for three years. She noted that becoming a university lecturer is a path to permanent residency in Australia. "I didn't know at all before. There was no one to guide me."
Moving to Melbourne
Following her time in Perth, Joy moved to Melbourne seeking a more artistic and culturally vibrant environment. She made this decision somewhat spontaneously, drawn to Melbourne's reputation as a cultural capital.
Perspectives on Australian Cities
Weather and Lifestyle
Joy expressed her preference for Sydney's weather, noting its mild temperatures. She also appreciated the beautiful light in Perth for photography. Melbourne's weather, on the other hand, was described as the coldest in winter, similar to Shanghai.
Safety and Security
Joy compared the safety and security of different Australian cities. She mentioned that Sydney used to be very safe, but now Melbourne is experiencing increased issues with homelessness and drug use. She noted that petty theft is more common in European cities like Paris and London.
Cultural Differences
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Sydney: A very international city with tolerance for immigrants.
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Melbourne: An old-fashioned immigrant city with food from all over the world.
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Perth: Has a lot of British immigrants.
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Brisbane: Not so inclusive of Asians. Joy expressed a personal preference for big cities, comparing their vibrant energy to New York. She finds Melbourne's diversity stimulating, allowing her to capture glimpses of different cultures through her photography.
Career and Industry Insights
Photography and Art
Joy is currently working as a photographer in Melbourne, focusing on fashion week events, model portfolios, and commercial product photography. She also organizes small art exhibitions. She shared some information about the salary of an university teacher in Australia, "If it's a senior lecturer, it's usually 70,000 to 100,000."
Media Studies and Career Prospects
Joy shared her experiences teaching media studies. "What I really want to say is that I used to teach a lot of students media studies at university. But in fact, they will encounter a problem, which is that media studies is not conducive to your employment and is not conducive to your immigration." While acknowledging the lack of clear career paths for media studies graduates in Australia, Joy encourages people to follow their passion if you are very interested in studying media.
Reflections on Life Choices
Staying in Australia vs. Returning to China
Joy discussed the possibility of returning to China to be closer to her parents. She acknowledged the challenges of starting over in a new environment but remains open to the idea.
The PhD Experience
Joy described her PhD studies as a mentally challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. She emphasized the importance of strong writing skills and the development of dialectical and independent thinking.
Cost of Living
Melbourne's rent is relatively cheaper compared to Sydney. "Recently, many of my friends have moved from Sydney to here because they can't stand the high cost of living in Sydney."
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