| His being an expat living in Canberra, Australia is part of Norway-born Alexander's deal with his wife to spend time in each of their home countries. Life in Oz has its own set of quirks, he finds. His advice for those planning on moving to Australia? Prepare for the unexpected. |
 Alexander Johannesen |
August 29 2006
-Where were you born?
I was born in Oslo, Norway.
-In which country and city are you living now?
I live in Canberra, which is the capital of Australia.
-Are you living alone or with your family?
I live with my wife, two daughters, and Oscar the English Cocker Spaniel.
-How long have you been living in Australia?
We're coming up to our third year anniversary.
-What is your age?
35 years old.
-When did you come up with the idea of living in Australia?
When me and my wife got married in 2001 we decided to live two years in each other's countries. First we lived two years in Norway, and then we were to live two years in Australia. We're currently at the third year here.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
I've had two stabs at getting a VISA to Australia, one before getting married and one after. Before, even if I had sought-after skills and my child was living in Australia I simply didn't get granted a VISA. After we got married and followed the normal conventions, it was granted after bucketloads of paperwork and paying a nice lump of fees.
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you moved to Australia or when you first arrived?
In Norway you really don't need one, so I didn't expect I needed one in Australia, but getting one was fairly easy.
-How do you make your living in Australia? Do you have any type of income generated?
When we came to Australia we had about 4 months of money saved up that would provide for us while I would apply for jobs. After 3 months I was offered a senior position at the National Library of Australia in the IT division, and that's where I am still today.
-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
As all Norwegians learn English in school and I have spent several years working in the UK, I already spoke the language (Australian is a weird version of English, really :) before coming here. Understanding the Australian peculiarities is essential if you want to integrate into their society and for getting real contact with Aussies. In that aspect, Canberra is more international in nature, so you'll probably be better off here than some other parts where being foreigner is perhaps a bit more of a challenge. Even for me, a white Caucasian Norwegian with very good English, there were issues with anything that wasn't the Aussie way.
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I certainly miss my old country and my friends, the culture and the way of life. People often say Australia is such a relaxed place, but I find it hard to relax here. The people here are friendly, but not very deep, at least not for the first few years you known them, but then perhaps I'm not patient enough. Norwegians will dive into deep subjects and reveal big personal treasures with you straight away, while the Aussies will share the weather, the hate of politics and the latest sports results with you. I also miss the organic lush green woods and the moist rocks. I could spend weeks in those woods. The Australian bush is heartless, dry and filled with things that will kill you.
-Do you have other plans for the future?
Me and the wife plans to travel to Melbourne, the cultural capital of
Australia, for our fifth anniversary. We also hope to move back to Norway for a little while some time in the future.
-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We rented at first a dump in the suburb of Curtin, but after I got the job with the library we bought an adorable little house in Cook. We love our house and our garden, even though it isn't built to the weather conditions we've got here. It's my hobby project to try and upgrade it to colder climates, better retain heat and make better use of recycled energy (solar-power, gray water, wind power, etc.).
-What is the cost of living in Australia?
The cost of living is reasonable and supposedly cheaper, at least at first, but when you add things up, it's on par with Norway, really.
-What do you think about the Australians?
Australians are a funny mix; they claim to be incredibly multicultural, but only as long as you're an Australian version of your old self. They value their colloquialism more than serious communication, but all in all they're a friendly bunch.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Australia?
The lack of serious politics (or a political system that works) is for me a great worry, and the way that this country doesn't take ecological issues far more seriously! The educational system is in decline, even to the point of us not wanting to raise our children here. Even politicians don't take politics seriously in this country. The conservatives in power call themselves liberals; I'm sure that's part of the Australian humor.
On the positive side, they've got a lot of really nice beaches.
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Australia?
Everything you thought you knew about Australia, you'll find along the coastline. Anywhere else, prepare for the unexpected. And Australia is not as warm as you might expect, except in those places you didn't want to go to anyways.
Also, wear sun-screen. Lots of it. Bring it on in buckets. And perhaps get yourself some bottled water; they provide pool-water from the taps.
-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Australia?
I have a page, called Norwegians in Canberra, on my homesite that tries to bring Norwegians who get lost and end up in Canberra together ;-) Give it a try. Look me up if you're here. And try to enjoy life.
