Moving from Fiji to Australia for studies — nervous and unsure which city would suit me best
Hi Everyone,
I’m from Fiji and have recently started seriously thinking about furthering my studies and eventually moving to Australia.
I’ve visited places like Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne before for holidays/vacations, but moving there to actually live, study and build a future feels very different.. and honestly a bit overwhelming.
Coming from a small island country, I think I’m nervous about adjusting to the lifestyle, pace and independence that comes with such a big move. Part of me is excited, but another part of me worries about loneliness, cost of living, making friends, finding work while studying, and whether I’ll adapt well overall.
I recently read a post from someone deciding between Adelaide and Sydney, and weirdly I related to it a lot because I’m also trying to figure out which Australian city would realistically suit me best long-term.. not just for vacations, but for actual life.
So far:
- Cairns felt calmer and somehow more familiar
- Brisbane felt balanced and friendly
- Sydney felt exciting but intense
- Melbourne felt very cultural and interesting
I’d really appreciate honest advice from people who’ve moved interstate, moved from smaller countries, or international students who’ve settled in Australia.
Which city do you think is easier for someone from Fiji/the Pacific to adjust to?
How difficult is it emotionally starting over there?
And if you could start again as an international student, which city would you choose and why?
Thank you so much.