The history of a woman with dual citizenship
The proximity between New Zealand and Australia leads many to believe that their lifestyles are the same. However, Oriana Pauli emerges to challenge this notion. Twenty-three years ago, her New Zealand family saw an opportunity in Australia to forge new paths and provide a better life for their children. Now 27, Oriana lives in Australia, specifically in Noosa, Sunshine Coast.
The relationship between Australia and New Zealand is indeed one of neighbours, which is why many Kiwis decide to move to Australia. The main reason? Quality of life and numerous job opportunities. Besides improving their standard of living, the salaries are also appealing. “Here, you can have a good house, a car, and other benefits that are not so easily attainable in New Zealand. Everything is very expensive there. You work more and earn less, while in Australia, you earn more and work less.”
It’s a misconception that the two countries are so alike. When Oriana moved to Australia, she encountered a completely different culture. Although she was still a child, the transition to a new school and making new friends was a challenging part of her journey. Her perspective on her home country also changed. “I no longer want to live in New Zealand. Here feels like home to me. Once I understood the reasons that brought me to this country, I realised it’s the best place for me to live.”
Throughout the interview, Oriana aims to portray the reality of her parents and her four siblings (three sisters and one brother), staying true to the facts while never forgetting to mention her Kiwi roots. Even though Australia is her new home, she acknowledges the significance of her origins in her story.
The process of moving was considerably straightforward due to the proximity of the two countries. New Zealanders do not require a visa to visit Australia, meaning tourists have free access. However, since Oriana’s family sought to reside in their new country, the bureaucracy was more substantial. They received assistance from friends already in Australia, who helped them navigate the process. This warm welcome contributed significantly to their ability to settle away from home. Today, Oriana holds Australian citizenship.
Oriana notes that the relationship between Australians and Kiwis is often marked by competition, particularly in sports. Throughout her narrative, she compares the rivalries to those between Brazilians and Argentinians. Despite this, they share a strong friendship. A curious fact about her family is that her grandmother refused to become an Australian citizen, choosing to retain only her New Zealand citizenship, underscoring that the rivalry truly exists. However, this sentiment isn’t reflected in Oriana, who considers Australia her new home.
Oriana’s profession arose as an opportunity to share her knowledge with others. She works as an English teacher for those looking to learn a second language, including tourists and immigrants coming to the country. Coincidentally or not, she interacts daily with people from all over the world who have chosen Australia as their new home, just like her family did years ago.
When asked about her views on the immigrants arriving in the country, she spares no effort in praising and emphasising the importance of this group in local communities.
“I believe all immigrants work hard. After moving to another country, it’s not just ‘wow, how cool!’ Regardless of the reasons that led them here, they’ve decided that this is a better place for them. They need to adapt to the differences and work to achieve their goals. Australia is a country of immigrants. I see this as a great asset for Noosa, being a tourist town, and for the country as a whole. It enriches the culture. There’s job opportunity for everyone here,” she asserts.
Que matéria sensacional, leve e divertida, me deu muita vontade de conhecer esta nova cultura com muita diversidade, esse texto me esclareceu muito sobre ela e a Oriana.