When HE plans...

This Ramzan was really special for me. This was the first time in the longest while that I was not working during this month. I thoroughly enjoyed my predawn meals, enjoyed my prayers, finished recitation of Quran, experimented with cooking, had most iftars at home… immensely enjoyed this slow but extremely fulfilling routine. I don’t know when I will get another chance to experience Ramzan like this because even this was not planned by me. 

Pakistan's Independence Day 2020

Happy Independence day to the country that will always be my identity no matter where I live 

Six Things I Love About Adelaide

It has been two years since our move to Adelaide. I strongly believe that it takes you up to a minimum of 2 years to understand a new place. So, if you are new here and things do not make sense... don't worry they eventually will and if you have been here two years and things still do not make sense, do not worry - just know that it is absolutely normal to take time when you migrate. 

But, in all honesty, Adelaide is a great place to start your life as a new immigrant. Migration comes with its set of issues and while job and income are one of the major concerns but, quality of life, security, a strong community, ease of movement and peace of mind are also very important factors. In Adelaide, you can tick off many boxes. I might have found myself struggling harder in a fast-paced city trying to find an identity and stability compared to the ease with which my husband and I were accepted by Adelaide, in fact, South Australia. 

We have come a long way in these two years and I can now say that it feels home. 

Here are six things that make Adelaide a good choice:

Immigration Diary: Friendships

One thing that many of us go through after moving to a new country or city is the challenge of making friends and finding the right people to connect with, especially in the beginning. 

Immigration Diary: Volunteer Work While Job Hunt

While you are job hunting, it is always a good idea to do some volunteer work. Though, it may not give you anything financially but, It will help you stay occupied and keep you away from brewing negative thoughts. A volunteer experience can be added to your CV and may have a good impact on the potential employer. 

Immigration Diary: One Good Resume is not Enough

One Good Resume/CV is not enough. 

I always thought that you just make one resume and list all your work experience, job tasks and achievements and use it while applying for relevant jobs. I assumed that the reader will go through my resume and understand my skills based on the information and assess that I suit the role or not. 

Immigration Diary: Recruitment Cycle In Australia

Immigration Diary: Resume Template

 Hellooo, 

Welcome to a new section on my blog called “Immigration Diaries” for now (until I come up with a better name). Here, I will be sharing MY findings as I navigate through all the phases as a newcomer in Adelaide/Australia. It will be tips and tricks based on what I will learn during my journey and may or may not work for everyone.

Heart Talk: Working in Foreign Country

The most difficult thing that you face when you move or migrate to a new country is building your identity from scratch. No matter what school/university you have studied from, no matter what famous companies you have on your CV and no matter how many recommendation letters you carry, all these have very little weight in most cases, if not all. That is why it is very difficult to find the right job. And If you find a job relevant to your field, even then you need to work really hard to build your credibility and prove your worth. The hard work doubles because you have to prove yourself as a professional and get accepted socially as well and there are many other issues on a personal level that keep building on. You will feel that people at work hesitate to talk to you because you are from a different cultural background. It mostly happens because they try to be cautious to not say/do something that may upset you but, you start feeling socially isolated at work and all this is emotionally draining.  

The only way to go through all of this without letting it demotivate you is to EXPECT it and ACCEPT it as soon as you can. Walk your way through it with optimism and hope. Don’t take rejections personally and do not let them shatter your confidence. 

It is one of the toughest phases but, it does not last forever.