Source: PDI
Twenty-seven-year-old Jonas Jusay felt nothing but excitement and happiness when he learned that he would finally be joining his wife in Australia more than a year ago.
“I was looking forward to the trip, not because I was going abroad, but because I would finally be able to dispel my fears about maintaining a long-distance relationship,” recalls Jonas, whose wife Freeya had petitioned him to join her and her family in Melbourne.
Jonas, a computer engineering graduate from Cebu Institute of Technology, met Freeya when he was in college. In 2006, Freeya migrated to Australia with her family after finishing her nursing degree. They got married on August 22, 2008, during Freeya’s third visit to the Philippines.
“It took us three years to be in each other’s arms again,” Jonas says.
But husbands who follow their wives abroad face tough job hunting challenges and should be prepared for tough adjustments.
Jonas says that more than a year since he moved to Australia, he still has to find a regular job and is still adjusting to the culture and the Australian way of life.
Skill standards
Jonas, a native of Southern Leyte, discovered that his skills and experience were not considered up to par with Australian standards.
“I am presently doing casual work here, which is very different from my job in the Philippines,” shares Jonas, who used to work as an AutoCAD drafter for a large Japanese engineering company based in Manila.
A casual employee’s job is short-term, irregular, and uncertain. These jobs are usually available in low-skilled occupations such as clerical, sales, and service work.
He has decided to take short courses such as a certificate course in advance CAD drafting and in business administration to learn new skills and gain credentials for jobs there.
“The Australian learning process is very different from ours in the Philippines. Their educational foundation is very solid compared to ours,” he says.
Different school systems
He said courses at the “Uni” (the Australian term for college) focus on major subjects, since Australians are expected to have taken up all their general subjects in high school. It takes a Uni student three years to finish a bachelor’s degree, compared to the four or five years a Filipino student takes to finish college.
“Their courses are also a balance of theory and practice unlike back home where college students contend mostly with theories. I think this is the reason why most of our graduates lack the confidence to apply for jobs after finishing school,” Jonas points out.
Jonas recalls his first six months abroad, when he and his wife rented a house of their own. Eventually though, he says, they decided to move back with Freeya’s parents in Cranbourne East, Melbourne, to cut back on costs.
“Our money was just enough to pay for the rent, household expenses, and my wife’s tuition, as she is presently taking up a two-year master’s degree in nursing,” he says.
Freeya, a licensed nurse in the Philippines, can practice in Australia. However, she has plans to get a Victorian license to be qualified for a higher classification.
Inspiration and hard work
“Time, sacrifice, and patience are our ‘weapons’ here,” Jonas says. His models and inspiration are his in-laws, who succeeded in their respective careers in Australia.
His father-in-law migrated to the continent 10 years ago. He is now involved in land research and development, while Jonas’s mother-in-law works at the University of Melbourne.
True, one can earn good money in Australia. “But you cannot earn it if you don’t work hard for it,” he stresses.
On a typical day, Jonas is up at 5 a.m. and starts work at 6 a.m. He is home at 3:30 p.m. and watches Filipino noontime shows on television before dinner.
“After dinner, I go online and at times compose my own songs or record cover songs that I upload on Facebook to keep in touch with my family and friends,” adds.
Missing Pinoy social life
Jonas regularly uploads music videos of his own compositions to share with friends and loved ones back home.
Social networking, he says, enables him to cope with the loneliness of living far away from his family and friends.
“I have been playing the guitar since high school. But it is only now that I have found the time to really devote my energy to it,” Jonas says.
A Filipino’s migration experience won’t be complete without those initial and unforgettable brushes with the host country’s laws and culture.
Strict road regulations
“I was horrified the first time I rode a car with my wife because I was not used to Australia’s right-hand drive policy. I felt that we were going to crash into every car on the opposite side of the road,” Jonas chuckles.
“Good thing that I immediately forgot about that nauseating experience because my wife took me to dine on a cruise for the first time. I really enjoyed looking at the beautiful Melbourne City lights while listening to musicians serenade us,” he adds.
The Australian police are also very strict in enforcing regulations against drinking and driving. Once, Jason was randomly asked to pulled over and undergo a “breath test.”
“I was so nervous because I did not know why I was asked to stop. The police officer asked for my car’s registration number and my driver’s license before asking me to blow into a device,” Jonas says, explaining that the device would determine if he had been drinking or not.
If the authorities catch a driver with alcoholic breath thrice in a row, his or her license will be suspended for a year, he explains. When minors are caught drinking and driving, steep fines are imposed on them and their parents.
Be on time
Also, “Australians value their time so much. If you set an appointment, you should be able to stick to it,” Jonas shares.
For example, if you set an appointment with your dentist then forgot all about it, you will receive a letter indicating the amount in fines you should pay lest you be hauled to court. In order to avoid this consequence, you have to cancel your appointment at least 24 hours before.
The quality of healthcare in Australia is admirable, according to Jonas. All medical procedures involving minor to major illnesses are free.
Jonas also admires the efficient Australian transportation system.
Sticking it out for love
There are ups and downs. “I really miss my family and a lot more things back home: Things I took for granted like the free time after work when I could still go to the mall,” Jonas says, pointing out that malls in Australia close at 5 p.m. sharp.
He also misses the Filipinos’ close social ties, like visiting neighbors and chewing the fat about the day’s events or life in general, as opposed to staying at home all the time in Australia.
“If you did not grow up here, it would be hard to find friends or barkada, as Australians focus mainly on their work and families,” Jonas laments.
Even the weather and the climate there is a cause for lethargy and loneliness, Jonas observes.
“The weather is unpredictable and the winters are insufferable. I have a hard time getting up during cold mornings,” Jonas complains, saying that he looks forward to experiencing the warmth, noise, and fun back home.
But Jonas still plans to stick it out. “I plan to finish a course recognized in Australia. My long term plan is to save money for a house and for my wife and children’s future,” Jonas shares.
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Twenty-seven-year-old Jonas Jusay felt nothing but excitement and happiness when he learned that he would finally be joining his wife in Australia more than a year ago.
“I was looking forward to the trip, not because I was going abroad, but because I would finally be able to dispel my fears about maintaining a long-distance relationship,” recalls Jonas, whose wife Freeya had petitioned him to join her and her family in Melbourne.
Jonas, a computer engineering graduate from Cebu Institute of Technology, met Freeya when he was in college. In 2006, Freeya migrated to Australia with her family after finishing her nursing degree. They got married on August 22, 2008, during Freeya’s third visit to the Philippines.
“It took us three years to be in each other’s arms again,” Jonas says.
But husbands who follow their wives abroad face tough job hunting challenges and should be prepared for tough adjustments.
Jonas says that more than a year since he moved to Australia, he still has to find a regular job and is still adjusting to the culture and the Australian way of life.
Skill standards
Jonas, a native of Southern Leyte, discovered that his skills and experience were not considered up to par with Australian standards.
“I am presently doing casual work here, which is very different from my job in the Philippines,” shares Jonas, who used to work as an AutoCAD drafter for a large Japanese engineering company based in Manila.
A casual employee’s job is short-term, irregular, and uncertain. These jobs are usually available in low-skilled occupations such as clerical, sales, and service work.
He has decided to take short courses such as a certificate course in advance CAD drafting and in business administration to learn new skills and gain credentials for jobs there.
“The Australian learning process is very different from ours in the Philippines. Their educational foundation is very solid compared to ours,” he says.
Different school systems
He said courses at the “Uni” (the Australian term for college) focus on major subjects, since Australians are expected to have taken up all their general subjects in high school. It takes a Uni student three years to finish a bachelor’s degree, compared to the four or five years a Filipino student takes to finish college.
“Their courses are also a balance of theory and practice unlike back home where college students contend mostly with theories. I think this is the reason why most of our graduates lack the confidence to apply for jobs after finishing school,” Jonas points out.
Jonas recalls his first six months abroad, when he and his wife rented a house of their own. Eventually though, he says, they decided to move back with Freeya’s parents in Cranbourne East, Melbourne, to cut back on costs.
“Our money was just enough to pay for the rent, household expenses, and my wife’s tuition, as she is presently taking up a two-year master’s degree in nursing,” he says.
Freeya, a licensed nurse in the Philippines, can practice in Australia. However, she has plans to get a Victorian license to be qualified for a higher classification.
Inspiration and hard work
“Time, sacrifice, and patience are our ‘weapons’ here,” Jonas says. His models and inspiration are his in-laws, who succeeded in their respective careers in Australia.
His father-in-law migrated to the continent 10 years ago. He is now involved in land research and development, while Jonas’s mother-in-law works at the University of Melbourne.
True, one can earn good money in Australia. “But you cannot earn it if you don’t work hard for it,” he stresses.
On a typical day, Jonas is up at 5 a.m. and starts work at 6 a.m. He is home at 3:30 p.m. and watches Filipino noontime shows on television before dinner.
“After dinner, I go online and at times compose my own songs or record cover songs that I upload on Facebook to keep in touch with my family and friends,” adds.
Missing Pinoy social life
Jonas regularly uploads music videos of his own compositions to share with friends and loved ones back home.
Social networking, he says, enables him to cope with the loneliness of living far away from his family and friends.
“I have been playing the guitar since high school. But it is only now that I have found the time to really devote my energy to it,” Jonas says.
A Filipino’s migration experience won’t be complete without those initial and unforgettable brushes with the host country’s laws and culture.
Strict road regulations
“I was horrified the first time I rode a car with my wife because I was not used to Australia’s right-hand drive policy. I felt that we were going to crash into every car on the opposite side of the road,” Jonas chuckles.
“Good thing that I immediately forgot about that nauseating experience because my wife took me to dine on a cruise for the first time. I really enjoyed looking at the beautiful Melbourne City lights while listening to musicians serenade us,” he adds.
The Australian police are also very strict in enforcing regulations against drinking and driving. Once, Jason was randomly asked to pulled over and undergo a “breath test.”
“I was so nervous because I did not know why I was asked to stop. The police officer asked for my car’s registration number and my driver’s license before asking me to blow into a device,” Jonas says, explaining that the device would determine if he had been drinking or not.
If the authorities catch a driver with alcoholic breath thrice in a row, his or her license will be suspended for a year, he explains. When minors are caught drinking and driving, steep fines are imposed on them and their parents.
Be on time
Also, “Australians value their time so much. If you set an appointment, you should be able to stick to it,” Jonas shares.
For example, if you set an appointment with your dentist then forgot all about it, you will receive a letter indicating the amount in fines you should pay lest you be hauled to court. In order to avoid this consequence, you have to cancel your appointment at least 24 hours before.
The quality of healthcare in Australia is admirable, according to Jonas. All medical procedures involving minor to major illnesses are free.
Jonas also admires the efficient Australian transportation system.
Sticking it out for love
There are ups and downs. “I really miss my family and a lot more things back home: Things I took for granted like the free time after work when I could still go to the mall,” Jonas says, pointing out that malls in Australia close at 5 p.m. sharp.
He also misses the Filipinos’ close social ties, like visiting neighbors and chewing the fat about the day’s events or life in general, as opposed to staying at home all the time in Australia.
“If you did not grow up here, it would be hard to find friends or barkada, as Australians focus mainly on their work and families,” Jonas laments.
Even the weather and the climate there is a cause for lethargy and loneliness, Jonas observes.
“The weather is unpredictable and the winters are insufferable. I have a hard time getting up during cold mornings,” Jonas complains, saying that he looks forward to experiencing the warmth, noise, and fun back home.
But Jonas still plans to stick it out. “I plan to finish a course recognized in Australia. My long term plan is to save money for a house and for my wife and children’s future,” Jonas shares.
