The story of Maria, an Englishwoman who redefined her life in Australia
What does it mean to be an immigrant for you? Is it simply leaving your home and moving to another country? A mountain of paperwork to get to know a new place? Maria has a completely different perspective on this process. Even with all the opportunities England had to offer, she longed to explore something new and experience a different life. She didn’t feel a sense of belonging in Manchester, and when she first visited Australia, she felt she had found her little corner of the world. But wanting it wasn’t enough; she had to face all the challenges that came with applying for a visa to ensure her dream didn’t fade away.
Maria Mauger is thriving at 50. As mentioned, she was born in Manchester, England. In 2005, after a trip to Australia with friends and her husband, she decided it was time to move, instantly falling in love with what she saw.
After finishing her degree in health, Maria found various job opportunities in the English market. It was only ten years later that she decided to become a teacher. She enrolled in university again but, unfortunately, was considered “too old” to pursue a course at that time. However, she didn’t give up on her dream and taught high school for 15 years.
The first time she visited Australia on holiday with her husband and friends from London, she was enchanted by everything she experienced. She thought perhaps it was time to change her life. However, she knew the process would be lengthy, as obtaining a visa and relocating is a challenging task. “Younger people may have more opportunities than those over 35 (at the time). What mattered was that my experience as a high school teacher for so long would count.”
Maria has always had a wanderlust spirit. Her grandmother lived on an island in the middle of the ocean, and her father was from Chile—her family included examples of people who migrated to different places. Additionally, she had friends from various countries in London, including New Zealand, Australia, and India. She felt supported by those around her. She lived in Sydney for two years before moving to Noosa, Sunshine Coast.
Now, 16 years into her journey, Maria recalls that the process of securing her permanent visa took about a year, heightening her anxiety and anticipation. When she moved to Australia, she continued working as a high school teacher.
Throughout our conversation, Maria reflects on her time in London before she managed to move. Life there was demanding, with little time for leisure and a hectic pace that made it difficult to enjoy life fully. Her husband is a journalist, and she was a teacher, meaning both of their jobs consumed many hours of the day and week. They lived in a small apartment, which made it even harder to pursue a better quality of life. “We had a good life with our friends, but it was very busy in London. When I came to Australia, I could enjoy nature, the beaches, and a more relaxed lifestyle.”
Every year, the Australian government provides a list of professions in demand, and these vary significantly. When the classification for teachers appeared, Maria saw it as a huge opportunity—perhaps even a sign from fate. The advantage was that the language was the same, including the accent, which greatly helped with communication and the visa application. To support her documentation, the school where Maria worked in England wrote a letter of recommendation to the government, confirming her five years of experience there.
The time from application to visa approval took about six months, but the prior process of gathering documentation and recommendation letters took over four months. She and her husband had no alternative plans, so they continued working, waiting for the visa approval to move. The anxiety only increased.
It’s important to remember that Australia is a country that was colonised by England. These historical ties allow English citizens to enter Australia as tourists for up to a month without a visa. But Maria wanted more; she wanted the country to be her new home and decided to take a risk: she applied for a permanent visa, knowing that if it was denied, she wouldn’t get her money back. They applied with a visa that included both her and her husband.
The potential for a lighter lifestyle and the welcoming nature of Australians were crucial factors in Maria’s decision to move. Her husband was able to transfer his job from London to Sydney, which eased this transitional phase (he was a sports journalist). “It was strange, but I felt more at home in Australia than I ever did in England,” she shares nostalgically.
After their move, their perspective on their home country shifted. In the first five years living in Australia, they returned to England three times: once for the wedding of close friends and twice for holidays. They enjoyed traditional foods, spending time with family and friends.
Maria has always felt like a citizen of the world; that’s part of who she is. So, despite feeling nostalgic for family and friends while living away from home, she feels that England has become secondary. “I no longer see it as my home. At first, I missed it deeply, but now my place is here. I’ve changed a lot since moving to Australia. I encouraged everyone close to me to come here, sharing how good life is. In fact, my best childhood friend lives just next door in Gold Coast. We’re always close to one another.”
When I ask her about her views on immigrants, Maria speaks passionately about this group and feels included in that “classification.” For her, immigrants are anyone who chooses to leave their country in search of the new: trying new things, meeting new people, and learning new languages. “These days, it’s become much easier for people to learn other languages. This process is undoubtedly beneficial for the world. When people travel to other countries, they have the opportunity for new experiences, to learn a different language, discover amazing places, and enjoy delicious food (a crucial point). That’s wonderful,” she concludes.
“After four years living here, I see Australia as my home. My husband still cheers for the English teams and took about seven years to feel the way I do, but even so, this is his home too. What makes me believe this is my place is the quality of life I have. I earn more money, can go to the beach, and enjoy wonderful food. People are more relaxed, they live happily, and that’s what I need: happiness and tranquillity.”
Quanto sentimento, me senti fazendo parte da matéria, me senti no corpo da Maria, uma reportagem sensacional misturando informação e sensações! excelente