We live in a very carrier driven society and a lot of people go willingly into a rat race comparing themself to everyone, but the truth is we need to try to discover who God wants us to be and try to be the best we can at it. I thought that it might be beneficial for some people to read my story and discover that even if there are hard and challenging times, getting to know yourself is the only road you can take.
Recently I have been thinking a lot about what my life turned out to be like, and how other people might see it. I am 30 years old and I can only speak of my past experiences and maybe discovering what the future holds will shape my views in a different way, but the main thing is that whatever comes along: I will try giving it all that I have! What kept me going, even through hard times was that I knew God is looking after me and whatever comes along He will protect me.
I grew up in small country town in Poland, where I was surrounded by large loving community. I was brought up in a family where education was very important, my mom was a teacher and ever since I can remember she was completing additional studies and participating in extra courses. She said to me that her dream was to become a teacher and I felt that similar thing is expected of me since we are very similar temperaments. We would plan together, which pathways I can take that would lead me to best possible outcome, it was all so overwhelming. I knew that my future depended on it and I did not want to choose something that I would not enjoy. I found out one of the bigger cities was holding a expo, where all Universities were displaying their courses. I went with few friends to check it out, surprisingly came back home even more confused! I took a huge bag of flyers and started looking through them, as I was about to finish, I found a flyer offering study and work in Australia.
My mom called the number on there to arrange a meeting and off we went to see an agent. I found out that I do not even have enough money for the flight, let alone to pay for the school, it looked like I will never be able to go. I was only 18 at that time and never had a proper job or real income. My parents and grandparents offered to help, they paid for school and all the cost related to visa. My other grandfather gave me $1000 for the beginning. I went on the plane and it all started. Funny enough I choose English speaking country when my leading language at school was German, so my abilities were lower than average.
I stepped out of the plane in Melbourne in August 2005 to be greeted by an Polish agent that arranged a place for me to stay. It was around 45 minutes tram ride from Melbourne CBD, where my school was located. I found out that this house belonging to Egyptian man, another Polish couple stayed. I was really grateful, they help me learn everything I needed to know at the beginning. Since we did not have internet at home I joined a local library to keep in touch with my family back in Poland. I knew they are going to support me no matter what happens and my mom said if things go wrong there is always going to be money for my ticket back home, but I was desperate to prove them that I can do it.
When I arrived, I had to pay four weeks lease for the room, which was $400AUD, than buy a tram ticket which was a $100 (for a month) and I needed a phone so I can start looking for a job which cost me another $50. I thought that the rest of money I will be able to keep for later but soon found out I need to buy books for English course, that I was meant to take. Feeling a little under pressure I ask my agent to help me get a first job, so at last I will have something to put on my resume. He arrange for me to work in the high end restaurant polishing cutlery and glasses. To be honest at this stage it was the only thing that was giving me hope, I had no friends, only few people I knew and all of them were giving me advice but no one offered any real help. This job was located 1.5 hours tram ride from my house and I was finishing around 12 at night. One day I missed a tram and had to walk home since I could not afford a taxi, it took me 3 hours in black 3cm heel shoes . Finally when I arrived I had blisters but I was glad to be safe. I never told my mom what happened that night, assuming she would just tell me to pack my bags. The job I got gave me enough income to pay my next month rent, tram ticket and I calculated that I can only afford to eat one roll a day till I find another job. During lunch breaks at school, I used to just hide somewhere by myself because I did not want others to see that I had nothing to eat. At this point my housemates moved to different location and I was about to get a new one, he was also coming from Poland. I was very excited for the change , but also worried if we get along, soon I found out that he was a very good support since we both where going through simular experience. I also got a job in a sandwich bar which was very hard but I was able to take some food home and have some extra income. I also decided to change my course to patisserie because I figured at least it will be helpful, regardless what I will be doing, but it was not easy considering my English skills where not that great.
In the meantime I had to leave my night job because of my timetable at school and at the same time got fired from sandwich position, my boss said that my skills were not good enough for the job , I started to look for something else with little luck. Started to feel depressed again, not knowing what to do. School asked me to buy new chefs uniform and knife set, which all together cost around $300. At this stage I was going to take any job that would come my way and then I got a call to come back to a sandwich bar (God answered my prays). I went again and decided to give it all that I have and be the best. I work there for another two years until I completed my course but during this time I was challenged in so many different ways, I was able just to pay my rent and school fees. I change houses and started to live in the city. I met my new best friend there , even we had ups and downs I knew we can always count on each other.
At the end my school I had classes 3 days a week, so I had to go back to working evenings. I have done a lot of assignments and balance work but I discovered what truly makes me happy . I love working with people, cooking and if not for that journey I would probably never choose this as my career but it gave me a great pleasure and sense of achievement. For some people it probably seems like I settled because hospitality does not seem like a challenging choice but if you do it with passion it is very rewarding.
After finishing my studies I work in few different cafes and met a lot of people that influence my carrier and some of them are my friends till now. Latter on I met my husband Tomek and decided to permanently stay in Australia. We got married just after 9 months of dating because my visa was about to expire, it was the best decision I could ever make! We have been married for 8 years now and I know he is best partner in life I could have. He supported me in following my dream to open a cafe. With my best friend we had a great business experience and I learned a lot about management side of it, but my priorities change and now Tomek supports me in another big step that we decided to take together. Since having my first daughter 3.5 years ago and recently our second daughter, I decided to develop my other passion which is working with kids, I have done short childcare course to help me understand basics of teaching and nourishing those young minds. At this stage of my life I want to be dedicated wife and a mother to my daughters, spending time and building relationships with them, it is a big part of my life and I feel privileged to be able to stay home and take care of them. I develop my skills through working with my kids and encouraging them to set their goals and not to follow the easy way but be open for possibilities that come along.
I hope this can be encouraging for people that are considering immigration as their path in life. It is definitely challenging and demanding route. Leaving your family and friends behind is hard. Knowing that you have to start everything from the beginning and be ready for times when it is simply almost too hard to bear. I saw a big number of people who gave up and could not deal with the pressure but if you survive there is a big possibility that you will find a new home and experience will make you a lot stronger and clarify your priorities. I am very glad that I moved here because I was able to meet a lot of great people along the way and Australians are very supportive and always willing to help.