After working in India for 16 years, my husband and I moved to Adelaide, South Australia in November 2018 to start a new life-chapter. I had always dreamed of living abroad for a better quality of life and cleaner air.

I came with a clear plan. Before arriving, I had already networked with people in Australia and hired a coach to fine-tune my strategy. I had three job offers and started work on January 14, 2019, and the next day, I even took a leave to watch the cricket match.
Our initial months in Australia were smooth. My job was fantastic, offering a perfect work-life balance. I felt included and valued as the only woman in my team.

In March, I discovered I was pregnant. Despite initial worries about how my temporary residency would affect my maternity leave, my company was incredibly supportive. They even covered my maternity leave, which was unexpected since it’s typically government-funded.
However, in the early months of my pregnancy, I was mugged and severely injured. I was unconscious for a while and woke up with a bruised eye, broken jaw, nose, and tooth. I did not realise the intensity of my injuries till I got home and saw myself in the mirror. I was rushed to the hospital. My main concern was my baby’s safety, but thankfully, everything was fine. The outpouring of sympathy from everyone I encountered was overwhelming, and it was comforting to see such compassion. I even received a claim from Victims of Crime.
To keep my mind occupied and happy during recovery as I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror, I decided to help others find jobs, sharing the tips and tricks I had used. This eventually led to me starting a career consulting service, Ri-Launch, born out of my passion for making a difference.

Postnatal depression hit me hard, compounded by trauma and mommy guilt. However, I found a new direction in talent acquisition, excelling in the role and earning multiple promotions. And currently I am working in a Global Mobility Role.

Assault, 2 redundancies and 5 years later, I have a beautiful son, a lovely home, permanent residency, and great friends. Despite the challenges, Australia has given me more good than bad.