Hannah DeMilta is a social media specialist at Sydney digital agency, Switched on Media. She moved to Australia in 2010 from her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. She is a social person online and offline, feel free to connect with her on Twitter @HannahDeMilta.
Tell us about yourself.
I work at digital marketing agency, Switched on Media, in Sydney Australia. I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio. I feel in love with Australia when I studied abroad here and decided I wanted to return. I moved to Sydney in August 2010. It’s been an amazing journey so far, I feel really lucky and grateful to be here.
What were your first impressions of Australia?
The beach culture is striking. When I studied here, I would see people walking around the shopping centre or riding the bus in bare feet (holding surf boards). Everyone here grows up by the water and most love it. I was actually surprised by the European influence when I first arrived. I expected things to be more similar to the states.
What do you miss most about home?
I miss my family and friends the most. Second place is good Mexican food. I could really go for some good Mexican right about now, seriously.
What do you like most about living in Australia?
I love the people and lifestyle. I’ve had moments where I feel like I fit in better here than I do at home. I find day to day life more relaxed here and I like that locally owned shops are the standard, rather than exception. People are slower to warm up to you (still friendly) but you feel the value of earning trust in friendship more often. I’m particularly found of Sydney as a city as well. It’s a gorgeous place. I love the dual nature of the major city and beautiful beaches. If you haven’t been before, it’s well worth the visit.
What are the biggest differences between the USA and Australia?
There is a more of a work/life balance here. People respect your time off, shops close early and it’s a more relaxed atmosphere in general.
How do you deal with culture shock and homesickness? Have you found a secret pill for it yet?
Unfortunately, there is no secret pill that I’ve found yet. Although, I’ve discovered Lindt’s chocolates seem to work some type of “feel better” magic on me. I chat with my family on a fairly regular basis and we like to email back and forth a lot as well. The time difference is tough because sometimes I really want to call home and I know that it’s the middle of the night for them and I have to wait. I’m able to face homesickness with the mindset that these few months and years away from home are just a small part of my life in the bigger scheme of things.
What were your biggest fears about moving abroad? How did you deal with them?
I was honestly pretty nervous that moving to Australia wouldn’t live up to my expectations. I had built this move up a lot in mind. I was worried that I would get here and be disappointed. Luckily that wasn’t the case and I’m really happy I came. I’m also scared of bugs and creepy crawlies. I deal with those by screaming like a little girl and running away from them.
What are the ups and downs of living abroad?
You always will miss certain things (and people) from home. The brands in the grocery store are different, some pop culture references are lost on me and they don’t have Pandora Radio here. At the same thing I feel like I’m on a constant adventure. Everything is new and exciting. I get to learn and even relearn a lot about life.
What would make you move back to the USA?
I’m not sure if there is something that would “make” me move back. I think I’ll go back to the states to live again in a few years, but I’m not really sure. I’m taking this bit by bit. It’s hard to say how I’ll feel in a couple years from now.
What advice would you give to someone who is about to move to a foreign country?
I would encourage them to start networking online and meeting people before they even leave. It will help when you first arrive to feel that you already have connections and a place to start (especially if you don’t know anyone in the country you’re moving to). I would also give the advice of hanging with the locals when possible. I have American friends in Sydney but also a great group of friends outside of that. Branch out and set roots within your community if you’re serious about living and staying there.
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