June 6, 2025
Born in a middle-class family in Nagpur, Maharashtra, I was raised by strong parents—my mom, a cancer survivor who fought her battle when I was born, and my dad, a self-made man who built a business from scratch. At age
“My Australian adventure started in 2009 when I first visited Brisbane and instantly felt at home. A year later, in 2010, I moved to Australia to pursue my Master’s in International Tourism and Hospitality Management at James Cook University.
Originally from Slovenia, I had a career as a lawyer, but the thought of spending two more years getting accredited to practise law in Australia didn’t excite me. I was ready for a change, something more adventurous, so I followed my passion for tourism.
My first job here was in events management for a nonprofit. While it was rewarding, it was also challenging for a perfectionist like me—I couldn’t control every detail. Finding another job wasn’t easy. I was overqualified for coordinator roles but didn’t have the managerial experience for higher positions. It was a frustrating time as I applied mainly for event roles since that was my only experience in Australia.
Then, something unexpected happened—a lecturer from my university offered me a sessional teaching position. I had never taught before, but I remembered enjoying training sessions in my previous job. Teaching turned out to be a perfect fit. After one term, I was offered more subjects, and within a year, I became a full-time lecturer. I’ve been teaching ever since, blending my love for tourism, travel, and learning. Even during the challenges of COVID, I never thought about changing careers. I cherish the flexibility and work-life balance my job offers, letting me soak in Brisbane’s beautiful weather and outdoor lifestyle.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for my life here, my supportive friends, and my two dogs, Lyla and Neddy. My adventurous spirit, which I’ve had since childhood, keeps me exploring new things, whether it’s hiking, abseiling, canyoning, mountain biking, or skydiving.
My advice to anyone thinking of moving to Australia is to do your research, grab every opportunity, and build strong connections. Success isn’t just about luck; it’s about being proactive and staying engaged and rest will follow as Australia is the land of opportunities.” Julija Ovnic
Born in a middle-class family in Nagpur, Maharashtra, I was raised by strong parents—my mom, a cancer survivor who fought her battle when I was born, and my dad, a self-made man who built a business from scratch. At age
I landed in Sydney in 2014 with a suitcase full of dreams and a body still healing from cancer. After surviving thyroid cancer the year before, I knew this move wasn’t just about changing countries — it was about choosing
I come from a small town in Punjab called Rajpura, and my journey to Australia has been nothing short of an adventure. I started my Bachelor’s in computing at Manipal University in India, before transferring to the Australian National University
I grew up in Sydney with a single mother and spent most of my early years immersed in wrestling and boxing. School, on the other hand, was never my thing. I struggled with dyslexia, couldn’t focus in class, and changed
