Optimize Your Finances: WHV One Week Cash Flow Statement Guide
3.11 Arrived in Perth, and it truly felt like a quaint village [laugh cry], not the bustling city I had imagined. I thought my English was decent, but after arriving, I was completely lost [laugh cry]. On the first day, I checked into a hostel and wandered around the city alone. Along the way, I encountered three homeless people, one of whom was visibly drunk and clutching a bottle, which made me a bit nervous, so I quickened my pace.
That night, at a McDonald’s in Northbridge, I originally planned to have dinner, but a racist white man started yelling at me, which scared me. I ignored him, grabbed my food, and rushed back to the hostel. These experiences on the first day made me want to hop on the next plane out, but I gathered my courage, thinking about all the time and money I had invested, and refused to be defeated by these minor setbacks!
The next day, I noticed there were no other Asian faces in the hostel. Although everyone was friendly and greeted each other, I still felt a bit out of place. In the following days, I met some companions in Perth, and the experience became a bit more enjoyable. We explored the city together, and it started to feel a little more familiar, though I was still somewhat bewildered by the new environment.
I planned to visit other places to collect visas, but finding accommodation and getting responses to my job applications proved challenging, leaving me uncertain about my next steps.
As someone who is very introverted and perfectionistic in China, coming to Australia feels like a monumental challenge, with many things to face and experience on my own! On 3.15, I mustered the courage to have dinner with my British roommate, feeling as if I had used up every bit of English I knew in my life.
It was a humbling experience, realizing how vast and diverse the world truly is. On 3.16, I left the first hostel and spent the day exploring the city, planning to buy some supplies. At a McDonald’s in the center of Perth, a homeless person came in and started cursing when he saw several Asian people ordering, then threw coins.
Encountering discrimination twice at McDonald’s, I developed an unexpected fear of the place [laugh cry]. It seemed even in the city center, such incidents could occur, making McDonald’s feel like a dangerous gathering spot for the homeless and troubled youth. I decided to avoid McDonald’s unless absolutely necessary [laugh cry].
In the next two days, I visited parks, saw kangaroos, and tried sitting on the grass to enjoy the moment. Reflecting on these days, it was indeed chaotic, with some good experiences, but mostly filled with tension and confusion. I wish I could adopt the laid-back attitude of the locals. The food here is really disappointing, even the Asian cuisine is subpar—expensive and unappetizing. I suddenly feel that nothing beats a home-cooked meal, at least I won’t feel like throwing up after eating it.
I’m looking forward to brighter days ahead. After a few days of much-needed relaxation, it’s time for me to jump back into the job search. But when I start calculating my expenses in Australia using RMB, it really hits hard—ouch! [cry]
