give me 20 minutes and i’ll prepare you for life abroad (money, jobs, housing & more)

Overview

Archisha Sharma shares lessons from moving alone from India to Australia at 18. Her main message is to prepare practically, expect a difficult adjustment, and be patient with yourself as you build a new life.

Key Lessons

Plan your finances carefully

• Make three separate budgets:
  • Moving costs: flights, rental bond, household basics and temporary accommodation.
  • Monthly living costs: rent, food, bills, insurance and transport.
  • Emergency fund: unexpected expenses, a move, or a period with little or no income.
• Don’t assume you’ll find a job immediately. Plan for the possibility of having no income for the first few months or getting only a few shifts.
• Check the actual work conditions on your visa.
• If friends or relatives help with housing at first, use the opportunity to save and learn how local costs and systems work.
• Avoid constantly converting every purchase into your home currency or comparing your finances with people whose families support them.

Choose housing with care

• If your budget allows, consider temporary accommodation while you learn about neighborhoods, transport, safety and nearby shops.
• Compare university accommodation with shared housing and other options. Choose based on your priorities rather than an idealized picture of student life.
• Watch for rental scams and verify listings before sending money. Photograph any existing damage and keep your rental documents.

Prepare for work and study

• Finding a first job can take time, especially without local experience or references. Start looking when practical, ask others about their experiences, and use university orientation, student groups and career resources to make connections.
• Difficulty finding work isn’t a personal failure. Give yourself time to learn how the local job market works.
• Balance work and study with commuting, cooking, chores and rest. Don’t let responsibilities consume the whole life you moved to experience.

Learn everyday independence before you go

• Practice a few basic meals so exhaustion doesn’t push you toward expensive takeaway food.
• Learn household tasks, laundry, managing appointments and budgeting.
• Research airport transport, rideshare options, SIM or eSIM access, and public transport before flying. In Melbourne, travelers need a Myki card.
• Keep key documents—such as your passport, visa, insurance, university papers and emergency contacts—in a folder on your phone.

Build a social life while accepting solitude

• Friendships may not happen automatically. Start conversations, invite people for coffee, and join clubs, classes, societies or a gym. Keep showing up and give people time to know you.
• Make room for socializing instead of postponing it until every responsibility is finished.
• Get comfortable doing things alone, such as exploring the city or visiting cafés. Being alone isn’t necessarily the same as being lonely.

Look after your emotional wellbeing

• Homesickness can arrive unexpectedly and doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision. Call people at home or spend time with friends rather than isolating yourself.
• Don’t feel guilty for struggling just because you chose to move or are grateful for the opportunity.
• Avoid comparing your real life with social media highlight reels; other people’s circumstances and challenges are often invisible.
• Expect mistakes and setbacks, and give yourself credit for learning to live in a new place.

Notable Details

• Locations: India, Australia and Melbourne
• Items and resources: Myki public-transport card, university accommodation, shared housing, Facebook Marketplace, rideshare apps and SIM/eSIM options
• Speaker: Archisha Sharma, reflecting on her experience studying and working in Australia after moving from India at 18.