Two suitcases, two worlds: A journey from student visa to Australian Citizenship
By Rinchaal Patel,
Mindset and Relationship
Coach, YOLO Academy
When I first arrived in Australia as a wide- eyed 18-years old in the 2000s on a student visa, my suitcase was full of Maggi packets, Parle-G, and familial expectations. I had no idea how profoundly this journey would shape me. Initially, like any other 18-year-old, I was relieved that I can now finally sleep-in and do things my own way and won’t have parents waking me up early to study for exams. I was finally going to be free.
Little did I realise that this move here would come up with its own challenges and would push me so far out of my comfort zone. Back then, “international student” wasn’t a lifestyle brand, it was a test of resilience. Today, as an Australian citizen looking back, I see both how far we have come and how much has changed for those arriving now.
To the younger migrants stepping off planes today: welcome. You are about to begin one of the most transformative chapters of your life. And yes, things are easier now in many ways. But in some ways, they are also harder.
When I arrived, there was no WhatsApp, no social media platforms that allowed you to make calls back home so freely. Calling home meant carefully rationed minutes on a prepaid phone card, often with a queue of other homesick students waiting behind you. Today, you can video call your parents while walking down street.
We did not have no Google Maps/ sharing live locations guiding you to your lecture theatre, or to places unknown. If you got lost, you asked a stranger or just accepted your fate. We learned how to navigate public transport without apps. There was a quiet pride in figuring things out the hard way. Today, technology has removed many of those barriers, but it has also made it easier to stay isolated.
So, here’s my first advise: Be present in the world you are in, rather than living in two worlds. Put your phones away and talk to the people around you who don’t understand your accent. Make friends outside your desi friends group and explore different cultures that make Australia a desirable place to live. Growth happens when you immerse yourself here. Your Australian experience shouldn’t just be academic; it should be deeply human.
Back in the 2000s, survival skills came before social life. We learned how to cook, out of necessity, ready-to-eat packs of curries only tasted good when we were hungry or in a bind, but the costs would start adding up, and eating takeout everyday was not feasible.
We learned how to budget every dollar, and it somehow is the same for those coming today, but there are options of having tiffin services that provide home cooked meals at a reasonable price. There are also more frozen food options now available. You can even learn to cook something watching Youtube vidoes, insta reels.
Even though the costs are higher, competition is tougher, and part-time work is more structured now, the principle remains the same: respect your money. Every dollar you earn represents your time, your effort, and often your family’s sacrifices back home. Budget wisely. Avoid the temptation to “live like an influencer.” Those $25 brunches on the weekend do tend to add up.
Here’s my second piece of advice: convenience can quietly limit your growth. Learn to cook, not just because it’s cheaper, but because it’s grounding. Say yes to invitations, even when they feel unfamiliar. Share our culture through food with strangers. Food has a magical way of turning strangers into friends. And yes, try vegemite at least once.
Another thing that hasn’t changed much is the emotional rollercoaster.
There will be days when you feel incredibly independent and proud and others when you wonder why you ever left home. That’s normal. I still remember my first Diwali, going to the temple, no firecrackers only sparklers, no loud music or fun with cousins. However,
I wasn’t alone in this experience. There were many others like me at the temple, sharing the magic of Diwali away from home, with friends and strangers who were feeling the same mixed emotions I was feeling, sad from being away from families but taking comfort that we could still celebrate it. It wasn’t the same as celebrating with family, but it was beautiful in its own way.
Here’s my third piece of advice: You are not losing your culture, you are expanding it. Yes, celebrations may not be the same as they were back home, it is about being part of the community and engaging in activities that nurture the feelings of belonging in us. Attend events hosted by different icons of the community and enjoy the modified taste of the culture.
Let’s talk about the pressure many of us felt in the early days. The pressure to “fit in”. Some tried to hide their accents, their food, even their names. Today, Australia is far more multicultural and accepting, but that doesn’t mean identity struggles have disappeared.
Here’s my last piece of advice? Own who you are. Your story, your migration journey, is your strength. Your bilingual brain, your adaptability, your ability to navigate different worlds, these are assets, not limitations. Don’t dilute them to blend in.
Years from now, you will remember the lifelong friends you made sharing the journey, your chosen family. You will remember the good days and the impact of every struggle had on your life choices. You will remember the resilience you uncovered and the person you became along the way. You will remember the moments that made you feel at home in a place that once felt foreign.
Australia gave me more than a degree. It gave me perspective, resilience, and a second home.
It will do the same for you, if you let it.
