I have been obsessed by the same question: whether I should manage to stay in Australia, since the first day of my arrival. In fact, the Australian government had just changed its immigration policy, namely, international students who want to immigrant should study here for at least two years, but I'm going to complete my master degree on Professional Communication within a year, and I don't want to work on another one, so theoretically, I've already lost my chance to immigrant; however, I know there're still two other ways to achieve this goal.
One is to marry a guy who has local identification. It's obvious that so many Chinese girls have been doing such a silly thing to get the green card of another country. It's unworthy to make such great sacrifice of future happiness so I'm unwilling to follow the suit. The other is to take a kind of translation test issued by the local government, which will enable me to gain sufficient scores for the immigration. My landlady just encouraged me to take part in it, because I majored in English and got high mark in the past important examinations, such as TEM-8, IELTS, but candidates are required to get at least 70 scores in this extremely difficult exam,resulting in a large number of failure, as I suppose, it's nearly a mission impossible.
To be frank, I had never been so diffident in my English before I went to Australia. On the first week or two, I seemed to be deaf, for I could hardly understand what the natives were talking about. Moreover, I felt extremely nervous when trying to say something, except the simple sentence "Excuse me", which was frequently used to ask for the direction. I'm aware that there's certain gap between ideal and reality, but my English was so challenged at the very moment that I had to reconsider my great anticipation. Anyway, I really want to conqure this tough task, for I'm sure, it'll gain me much confidence or motivation,if I really make it some day.
I actually had a strong attachment to this new continent at first sight. I really enjoy its picturesque scenery, mild climate, tranquil and hustle atmosphere, and friendly people. I really don't know why I should leave such a paradise a year later, except for the provisional language barrier. I'm convinced that it is a magic land full of charm and wonders, especially after I met a man, and got to know his story.
He used to graduate from a key university in China, and get an admiring position with high salary in Agriculture Bank, but things all changed after his travel to Australia. He quitted his previous job, and immigrated here without hesitation. Now he had to work around the clock, but still got less pay. He doesn't look sad, but happy instead. He told me interpersonal relationship in Australia is much simpler than that in China. He was actually set free from great pressure after living here, for all he has to do now is to finish all the assignments he is obligated to. By contrast, in China, he had also to spend great deal of time or energy handling his leaders or other colleagues. What he said accounts for one of the major reasons why most Chinese try every means to stay rather than go back to their motherland.
It reminded me of a conversation about why Taiwanese today are reluctant to be part of the mainland, because they were fed up with the temporary environment and system in China. In their eyes, almost no democracy or freedom can be found in mainland, because of the supreme dominant of one Party. I myself actually have no interest in politics, but there's only one thing I want to point out, that is, once I worked as a trainee journalist, I worked out a couple of reports about the dark side of society, but was forbidden to publish only because some of the local political leaders called the editor and asked him not to do so. I know such kind of thing won't happen in western society, since free speech is highly promoted. I admit I was really oppressed at that time, as I used to think the basic criteria for a good journalist is dare to expose the bloody fact to the public, but the fact is I was even deprived of the chance!
It seemed I strayed away from the topic, but what I actually want to say is that I can understand where comes the pressure when working in China to some extent. Basically, we can only adjust ourselves to get accustomed to the society where we are living rather than transform it. I don't know whether immigration is sort of escape, but if it can keep you far from worries or pressure, why not just do it?
It's truly an obsession for me, I meant whether to leave or stay, as I also realize that it's almost impossible for me to seek an ideal job that can fulfil all my career design or say personal development here in Australia. Here academic certificate is really nothing, people virtually value working experience rather than that piece of paper, and hence many international students managed to live but have to do humble jobs. It's the common problem they are facing up. I really feel sick the moment I think that a postgraduate on computer eventually work as a butcher. Don't you think it's ridiculous for the fingers dealing with keyboard in the past turned out to be the slaves of pork, beef or mutton?
I'm sure most of the Chinese students further their education abroad, because they feel there's an urgent need for them to have their knowledge updated and competence enhanced in a better learning environment. They go overseas study regardless of the high expense, simply because they don't want to be ordinary persons, so what is the point if they find it later that they have to give up their previous dream and then work as a humble man in Australia if they choose to immigrant? Likewise marrying a foreigner you by no means love, this kind of sacrifice is also very painful, as I suppose.
Love and marriage is always regarded as the biggest dream of every woman, but to me, personal pursue in career is even more crucial. I reckon life must be completely dim if it's deprived from the inner dream and hope that can consolidate us to be an independent being. We do face plenty of alternatives in our lifetime, but I know this time I have to be even more wise to make the final decision...
