8 Tips For Moving Home After Completing Your Studies In Australia
Undoubtedly, living abroad can be very exciting for international students. Experiencing different challenges in a foreign country develops one as a person, teaches new skills, and creates new meaning in life.
However, returning home after completing studies in Australia may be more challenging than expected. International students may need to consider many things before moving back, like finding a job in their home country, arranging new accommodations, renewing social ties, and more.
All in all, returning home can be perceived as starting all over again. Still, you can make this transition easier by following the tips below:
1. Plan Ahead
When moving abroad, you make plans about travel, housing arrangements, social activities, jobs, and more.
You must do the same when you return home. Remember, it’s always worth planning for this new stage in life and being open-minded, optimistic, and aware of all the challenges in your home country.
2. Take Care of Administrative Matters
Before moving back, you must deal with all the administrative matters. These include applying to graduate, paying student debts (library fines), getting a copy of your student transcript, etc.
And suppose you have an account with an Australian bank. In that case, you must close your account before leaving your study abroad destination.
If you are staying in a rental property, you need to inform your landlord that soon, you’ll be moving out accordingly. You need to organise for your utilities to be disconnected and pay your final bills.
You might have to apply for a tax return if you have a part-time job in Australia. For more details, check out the website of the Australian Taxation Office.
3. Get Rid of All The Unwanted Items
Getting rid of all the unwanted items, such as clothing, furniture and homewares, can be a great idea. You can choose what things to take back home and replace or sell the remaining items. Selling unwanted items may even help you fund your travel expenses.
To sell your belongings, you can advertise them on campus notice boards or set up a market stall with your friends.
Also, if your motive is not to earn money, you can donate the items to a charity of your choice.
4. Organise Your Flight Tickets
You should carefully research all your flight options while returning to your home country. Many airlines provide discounts for students and extra luggage allowance.
If there are any items you want to ship back home, you should explore different shipping methods and shipping costs.
Also, don’t forget to ensure that your passport is valid.
5. Expect To See Changes
Not adapting to changes is one of the most significant reverse culture shock examples that may lead to experiencing difficulties in your home country.
Therefore, you should expect changes in yourself, your lifestyle, places, and other people in your environment. Expecting changes will make moving back a lot easier and more comfortable.
6. Find A Mentor at Home
Coming home after an exchange year in Australia can make it difficult to organise things. Hence, having a mentor will help you to deal with various issues, such as looking out for job opportunities, finding accommodation, and handling other logistical and administrative matters.
The mentor you choose can be your close friend or family member.
7. Find Similar People
When you return to your home country, you may encounter people who are least interested in listening to the experiences you’ve gained while living abroad.
Therefore, you need to find someone with a similarly international experience so that you can debrief and expand your existing social circle.
8. Going Home Checklist
You can use this list to make plans for returning to your home country:
| Serial No. | To Do | Done |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Close your bank account. | |
| 2. | Pay the outstanding amount on your credit card. | |
| 3. | Inform your landlord that you are about to move out. Give them the required length of notice as stated in your lease. |
|
| 4. | Disconnect landline telephone. | |
| 5. | Settle all the outstanding phone bills. | |
| 6. | Disconnect gas/electricity. | |
| 7. | Settle all the outstanding gas/electricity bills. | |
| 8. | Terminate all your internet and phone contracts. | |
| 9. | Finalise your outstanding medical bills. | |
| 10. | Clear all the outstanding debts with the University (library fines). | |
| 11. | Return borrowed items, library books, etc. | |
| 12. | Get an official academic transcript. | |
| 13. | Make sure you have a valid passport. | |
| 14. | Purchase air tickets. | |
| 15. | Make provisions beforehand for transportation to the airport, especially if you are carrying a lot of luggage. | |
| 16. | Get rid of unwanted items. | |
| 17. | Make arrangements for your items to be sent home. Research and compare the prices of shipping companies, airfreight, and sea and airmail. |
|
| 18. | Consider the length of time it will take for parcels to arrive in your home country. | |
| 19. | Check with airlines on excess luggage and costs. | |
| 20. | Don’t sneak out of Australia without informing or visiting your friends. |
Useful Links to Explore:
- English Language Requirements for Australia
- Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
- How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
- Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
- How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
- Driving in Australia as an International Student
- How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
- The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
- A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
- Types of Education in Australia
- What to Study in Australia?