From Brazil To Australia
I am from Brazil, and I travelled to Australia in 2015 for a sabbatical period to have experience of studying English abroad while experiencing the language on a daily basis, meeting new people of different backgrounds, visit and travel to different places, taste different culinary, enjoying life, so have the best experience ever of this sabbatical time. The funny thing is that the experience was so magnificent that I decided to extend my student visa and continue my studies in Australia to improve my English and get also international professional experience. I became fluent in English in 3 years (started from Elementary
level), and after that, I was able to complete a dual master course of master business administration and global project management in an Australian university. I had also great opportunities to work in different work environment, what helped to improve my English language skills while meeting amazing people that helped evolve my professional skills in a multiculture work environment. So, I’ve been in Australia since then, traveling to Brazil only for holidays to see family and friends.
From initial visa to citizenship
After completing the master course in Australia, while in the 485 graduation, in 2020 I was invited for an interview for a great Australian multinational company in the EdTech field well known for their presence in the education system in Australia from Kindergarten to 12 year grade, in which I was fortunate to be employed as a Software Quality Assurance Analyst, and in May 2023, I was honoured with the application of the186 DE visa sponsorship. My permanent residence was approved in the same year, in Dez 2023, which was lodged by Migration Downunder. The visa application process was very smoothly because I was very well supported and oriented during the whole the application process. I had all doubts promptly clarified by them. My 186 DE visa was approved in 7 months! So, in January 2025 my citizenship was also lodged by Migration Downunder. This was great because have Migration Downunder have all my documents already, requiring only additional documentation and information to lodge my Australian citizenship, it made the process very easy and fast for me.
Where in Australia are you currently living and any challenges you’ve faced
adapting to life here
Currently, I am living in the buzzing inner west Sydney neighbourhood, Newtown where I can easily buy a cup of coffee and eat a different culinary every day of a fortnight. My adaptation in Australia is quite easy because I am flexible with the changes and self-reliant. I’ve developed resilience and learned to adapt to changes, mainly in my friendship cycle, because friends are constantly moving far way due to work or personal pursuits, and I need to refresh my cycle of friendships from time to time and work in my friendship who moved away to keep connections alive. The positive side of this is that my friendship network is always expanded because the connections never fade away. I think this was my challenge at
the beginning of my journey, but I really thanks this experience that helped to develop these traits that is really needed when you have your primary support system in another country.
How was your experience with Migration Downunder?
My experience working with Migration Downunder has been amazing. Always well supported and oriented during the application of my 186 DE visa process that was approved in just 7 months! And now, Migration Downunder lodged my Australian citizenship as well.
A big thanks to Silvana, the migration agent who supported me very well in the process along with her support team. All doubts quickly answered which makes the process very effective
What are your plans now that you have lodged your Australian citizenship?
I think now I can say that I reached the utmost, I can get the Australian dream badge and fully engage into Australia culture with its beauty and opportunities and everything good it has to offer. It is interesting where life can lead us if we follow our heart and give our best in everything we try to do. 10 years ago, I would never imagine I would live abroad because it wasn’t in my plan in that period. I was planning to go back to Brazil after my studies, but I followed my heart, and I gave a try to what life was presenting me that time and this leaded me to this incredible milestone.
What do you like most about Australia?
There is not only one but many the best things. The first thing I fell in love about Australia when I arrived here, in Sydney particularly, is how I can enjoy life so much with little because there are so many things available to do with little money and easy to reach (because public transport is wide and very efficient), such as music festival on the streets or parks, arts exhibitions, museums, bars, stunning views, there are parks everywhere I go in the city and in every neighbourhood I’ve been so far, giants national parks for hiking, stunning beaches at every part of the coast, and specially all its natural beauty, wild life (see captured on the picture..), and pristine flora in national parks are something I admire. I also discovered many hidden gems as some small museums in The Rocks that I loved. I also really enjoy Vivid Sydney that is an event I fell in love for its vivacity and artistic technical lightning. Another thing I truly adore about is the multiculturalism. I made so many friends from different cultures while studying that really expanded my view about the world and how it is wonderful and rich in culture, knowledge, habit, food. Hearing different language and see different traditions on each corner really enriched and expanded my views about many things and really showed me the beauty of a diverse world in its entirety. So, there is not only one but many the best things about Australia I really like. I have so many funny and inspirational
stories in Australia so far that would fit better in a book someday
