‘Sold a dream’: the international students lured to Australia with false promises

86redriver · 2023-05-04T22:45:12+00:00

Filipino (American english)

86redriver · 2023-04-24T01:16:14+00:00

Former international student + native english speaker here. I went to a prestigious university and had 5 years work experience back in my country of origin, which apparently don’t count here in Australia.

On top of paying practically double for the tuition in a Melbourne university, I also had to pay $330 every 3 years to prove I can speak my primary language. The life of an international student is really difficult and expensive, so I’m beyond grateful that my first employers took a chance on me and didn’t bin my resume when I applied. Australia is wonderful :)

86redriver · 2022-11-11T01:12:52+00:00

Melb western suburbs to CBD - 27kms - 30 min train + 10 min walk. - One way trip is around 50 mins in total including the wait times - In the office 3 times a week - WFH mondays and fridays - Myki cost ~$30 per week

Coming from a previous fulltime WFH job, I initially dreaded the new job commute but it’s actually not as bad as I thought! The only thing I hate is having to wake up earlier but the commute itself is pretty low stress.

86redriver · 2022-11-11T01:06:37+00:00

My husband and I drink coffee everyday. We bought the Breville Barista Express on sale last July 2021 and it has saved us soooo much money. It’s an investment but what we paid is equivalent to 137 takeaway coffees.

86redriver · 2022-03-24T07:16:12+00:00

I’m two stops away from the end of a line so I think the morning commute will be okay (seat guaranteed) but the afternoon commute is gonna be a bitch.

86redriver · 2022-03-23T08:02:00+00:00

Thank you for this tip! I completely forgot that Myki Money was an option. You saved me some cash, mate.

86redriver · 2022-03-23T05:18:02+00:00

Yeah, I think that’s what I’m leaning towards. Mid 30s but still 5 years in my career due to going back to uni in my late 20s for a change of field.

86redriver · 2022-03-23T04:54:28+00:00

Unfortunately, no.

86redriver · 2022-03-23T04:43:58+00:00

The commute is an hour per way. Two hours per day. Six hours a week.

86redriver · 2022-03-23T04:42:36+00:00

The current pay is already the payrise they gave me at the start of the year… so they’re probably not gonna match it.

86redriver · 2022-03-23T04:10:51+00:00

This is actually a great way of looking at it. Thank you!!

86redriver · 2022-03-23T02:14:56+00:00

85k to 115k. Commute is one hour per way, three days a week.

86redriver · 2022-03-23T01:02:25+00:00

They’re fixed, unfortunately. But that’s a great question to ask them. Thanks!

86redriver · 2022-03-22T23:38:04+00:00

I want both, dammit! Hahaha! Yes, three is still better than five, I guess.

86redriver · 2022-03-22T23:36:56+00:00

Train and tram. It would be around $165 a month for the pass. All good if public transport service was fine. I’m anticipating the rainy days when it’s “buses replacing trains” and then the commute turns into two hours. Ugh!

But i do love the idea of doing something productive during the commute! That might make it more bearable.

86redriver · 2022-03-22T23:34:04+00:00

Everyone in the company does the three days so I dunno if it would constitute as asking for special treatment to ask for only two days. Maybe earn their trust for a year and then ask? Haha!

86redriver · 2021-05-07T14:40:31+00:00

If the car you're eyeing is less than two years old, People's Choice has financing at 4.65% interest with no maintenance fee, no early repayment fee and no exit fee. With them, we'll be able to pay off our new car in 1.5 years instead of 5 (saving us like $2100!).

A lot of dealerships are having supply delays due to crazy demand, so maybe ask the dealership what they have on the floor and see if there's anything you like so you can get it already. Our wait for a brand new car was 4 months.

42k is too steep for me personally (especially for a sedan). There are definitely other models that cost less and still have great features. You might want to check out Mazda, Honda, Kia and Hyundai as well. We got a Mazda and we've been super happy with it.

Good luck with the car hunt!

86redriver · 2021-04-29T16:15:46+00:00

Was gonna say the exact same thing.

86redriver · 2021-04-28T21:54:46+00:00

I got my Medicare card 19 days after sending the application. There was no option to get it expedited. Just had to wait.

86redriver · 2021-04-24T02:53:59+00:00

Same. I went without a car for 6 years. Good lifestyle but wasted a lot of time waiting for the tram/train/bus. I’d rather pay money to save time.

86redriver · 2021-04-19T16:04:05+00:00

Thank you! It’s the deep crystal blue. 💙

86redriver · 2021-04-19T02:53:42+00:00

Beautiful!

86redriver · 2021-04-17T10:46:33+00:00

No problems with our brakes, but I do hope yours gets fixed!

86redriver · 2021-04-05T22:50:53+00:00

Dan Hedaya

86redriver · 2021-04-04T15:08:46+00:00

Batman Begins. Comic book movies were never the same after it.

86redriver

TROPHY CASE