When I arrived at Melbourne Airport in 1985, it was nearly two o'clock in the morning. I collected my luggage and went through customs. There was no one waiting for me. I needed to find a hotel because I needed to get some sleep. My flight took more than eleven hours. I took a bus to the city and asked the driver if he could recommend one good hotel where I could stay. He told me about a small hotel not far away from the bus stop in the city. I thanked the driver.
I checked in at the hotel and paid some money before I went into the room. As soon as I was inside the room, I went to bed and slept for about ten hours because I was really tired.
In the afternoon, I started looking for a place to live. I didn't want to stay at my hotel for a long time becuause hotels are expensive. I went to a real estate agent and talked to a lady there. She helped me find a place to live but said it would be ready after a few days. I explained to her that I needed to move in as soon as I could. She rang the landlord and in two days, I was able to pay the rent and the bond. I left my hotel and moved in soon after that.
I met a few people who are from my country. They helped me learn about Australia. They showed me how to buy a train ticket and validate it. They also gave me a lot of advice on how to look for work.
When I was walking in one street in the city one day, I saw a job advertisement on the windwo. They wanted a kitchen hand to work in the evening. I went inside and asked if I could get the job. The owner of the restaurant asked if I would like to start immediately. He showed me the kitchen and introduced me to the chef there. I was astonished but was happy to find my first job in Australia.
The money was not enough and I depended on the money I brought with me from my country. A few months later, I got my qualifications accredited in Australia and started working at a bank in Doncaster. Because I worked hard and had a pleasant manner with the customers, I got a promotion. Not long after that, I became a branch manager and got a good salary. I started to send money to help my family back home. I helped pay the school fees for my younger brother and he graduated from university after a few years.
I always tell my children and friends that it was really hard for me when I first came. They admire what I've done.
