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Career Opportunities, Job Seeking, Job Applications
Contact the Careers Service well before you complete your studies, for information and assistance with job applications and career opportunities in Australia and overseas.
Returning Home
You may be surprised to learn that students can suffer another culture shock when they return to their own country. For some people, readjusting to life back home can be even more challenging than when they first tried to settle into life in Australia. The reasons you may have problems re-adjusting when you return home include:
- you have changed during your stay here, while the people and customs at home may have remained the same
- your friends and family may want you to be exactly as you were
- you may have difficulty accepting the “rules” at home now that you have become accustomed to a new lifestyle
- stereotyped male and female roles may present a challenge to you
- your old social network may have changed during your long stay overseas
- new mannerisms and ways of expressing yourself may be misinterpreted by others
- you might worry that your education is irrelevant to your home situation
- you may not be able to find employment in your chosen field
- you may not be able to communicate what you learned overseas because of resistance to change from colleagues
- being perceived as a threat by supervisors and fellow workers
- there might be changes in political conditions or national policies
Although you may not be able to prevent some of these situations occurring, research has shown that students who are prepared and informed about what to expect when they return home, can reduce some of the stress and confusion associated with those experiences.
Here are some suggestions to help you prepare for your return home:
- think about your arrival in Australia: recall one positive impression and one negative impression
- think about ways in which you have changed since you arrived in Australia
- what are your hopes for yourself when you return to your home country?
- what are your fears and apprehensions about going home?
- in what way do you think changes in yourself may impact on your relationship with your family, your friends, your professional relationships?
- organise the practical details of your departure and return home by using the following checklist of 'things to do"
- be prepared for a period of adjustment when you arrive home
- be patient, be flexible and keep your sense of humour
- be sensitive to other people’s feelings
- try to keep in contact with other students who have returned home so that you have someone to talk to about your experiences
- remember that you are skilled in cultural adjustment – you demonstrated it by adapting to life in Australia
- be gentle in your expectations of yourself and others during this re-entry period.
Checklist of Important Things to do Before Departure
| Item |
To do |
Done |
| Telephone |
Ask your phone company to disconnect your phone at least a week before departure so you can pay any debt or receive a refund before you leave |
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| Electricity/gas |
Advise the company 2 working days before departure so the meter can be read and the final account sent to you |
|
| Accommodation |
If renting, make sure you give the landlord or agent notice in writing of your departure date. Check lease for length of notice (usually 2 to 4 weeks)
Clean house/flat and ask for inspection of property 1 or 2 days before departure. Sign a claim form for bond so agent/landlord can forward it to the Rental Bond Board for a refund if the premises have been left in good condition.
Give the Rental Bond Board your forwarding address if you cannot get the refund before you leave
Hand in keys to landord/agent |
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| Bank |
Close your account
Pay any outstanding amounts on credit cards |
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| Home country address-leave with: |
University – change it on SOLS.
Alumni Office.
Friends or contacts.
Post office for redirection of mail (for a fee of $9 for the first month).
Any journals to which you subscribe. |
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| Return borrowed items |
To libraries.
Friends.
Return key to your department if applicable. |
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| Graduation |
Ensure that you lodge application before relevant date in May (July ceremony) and in September (December ceremony). |
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| Disposing of unwanted items |
Advertise furniture, etc for sale or donate to friends
Sell or give away unwanted text books |
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| Transporting your luggage |
Compare price of shipping companies, air and sea mail, air freight, excess luggage, unaccompanied baggage.
If taking equipment such as computers, check on regulations regarding packaging and transportation.
Check with Australian Customs for information on prohibited exports.
Check with your embassy on your country’s customs regulations. |
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| Farewells |
Allow time to say goodbye to friends, University staff and anyone who has been significant to you during your stay.
Get contact details so you can stay in touch. |
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| Airline tickets |
Confirm booking72 hours before departure.
If you require a specific menu on the flight, inform the airline or booking agent as early as possible. |
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| Travel to airport |
Arrange transport so that you arrive 2 hours before departure. |
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| Arrival |
Notify family of arrival date and time.
Notify employer if applicable. |
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You can download a printable PDF version of the "Checklist" above from here.
Adapted from Oriented for Success: A Resource book on Overseas Student Services, Ed, Michelle Barker, AIDAB 1990 and AusAID’s Orientation Guidelines
Changing to Another Visa (Tourist, Application for PR)
Click here for information about changing to another type of visa.
Staying in Touch with the University (Alumni)
As a UOW graduate, you can be a valuable part of the University community by being an ambassador in the wider community in Australia or overseas. You also have much to gain by keeping in touch with UOW. Click here to learn about the benefits of being an Alumni and of being involved in the Alumni network after you complete your studies.
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