Malaysian expat Geena and her family have been living in Adelaide, Australia, since 2008. Though she misses home sometimes, there are many things she appreciates about raising her children in Adelaide. Here she shares what for her are the ups and downs of living there, how she found a teaching job, and other aspects of their expat life there.	Geena JL

-Where were you born?

Penampang, Sabah, Malaysia

-In which country and city are you living now?

Australia, Adelaide

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I am living with my family: 2 kids and a husband.

-How long have you been living in Australia?

8 months

-What is your age?

34 yrs old

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Australia?

Initially we wanted to go to New Zealand to live and work, we love the scenery, but my husband got a university offer in Adelaide, Australia. So the rest is history...

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

Easy for us because the education service provider arranged the visa for us.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Not at all, again the education service provider arranged it for us.

-How do you make your living in Australia? Do you have any type of income generated?

I have a teaching job here... I got it through browsing the local newspaper (the time I sent my husband to Australia), I applied directly and got a call 2 days after I emailed my resume. They interviewed me through the phone and offered the job immediately. Since I was not ready that time, I told them I could only commit after I had already settled in Adelaide. I went back to Malaysia, fetched my kids and joined my husband. After finally getting settled, I emailed the company again, telling them I was ready to start working with them, and that was it. My husband works as well, part time.

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I speak normal English, but with the accent that comes with their English here, it was kinda hard to understand at first what they were trying to say. After some time, I kind of blended it with my own English... my son adapted their accent in school, so he has a better Australian accent than my husband and I.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I miss home, friends and the comfort that I was so used to back home. One of the thing that seems to be familiar to me here, like back home, is my recreational activity in the shopping mall...Shopping!

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I plan to travel more in the future. I also plan to teach more at the other side of the world one day.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I am currently renting here, AUD840 a month, 2-bedroom unfurnished apartment.

-What is the cost of living in Australia?

Pretty cheap if you know what you are cooking... Fortnightly budgets are as the following:

• Groceries - AUD500

• Fuel - AUD100

• Childcare - AUD270

• OSH- AUD70

• Electricity & Gas- AUD60 a month

• Water - AUD30 (once in 3 months)

• Internet & Phone - AUD 150 a month

-What do you think about the Australians? 

Very friendly and laid back... Nice people. It's more like a mind-your-own-business type of neighbourhood and community... which I like...

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Australia?

Positives : The laid-back and MYOB community, relaxed and quite environment, nice beach... kids love to be in the school. Clean and well-structured transportation system. The speed limits at 60KM/hr... rushing anyone?

Negatives : The local younger generation can be loud and spontaneous. They can totally act like jerks, and do things out of stupidity like driving fast and getting killed at an age below 20.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Australia?

Open your mind and heart, stay positive and accept challenges in life as part of the process of becoming a mature person.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Australia?

My blog : http://paulnregina.blogspot.com