One Year Later: Australia, Questions (and Answers) from a Lost Reader

From “Why Australia?” to “Are you back for good?” — here’s what I have to say, one year later.

Since I returned from Australia for this Italian summer break, I’ve been asked the same questions over and over.

The classics — the “first dinner back” questions:

• Where have you been?
• Why Australia?
• What did you do there?
• How was it?
• Would you recommend it?
• Are you back for good?
• And now, what’s next?

So here I am, answering — not everything, but something.

The most urgent questions? Maybe.

The juiciest ones? Definitely.

❓Where have you been?

Nowhere dramatic — just somewhere that made me feel alive.

I simply decided to exist beyond a screen.

As some of you know, I’m facing another delicate medical procedure.

But ever since the first one, everything changed. I’m still searching for answers in waiting rooms that smell like disinfectant.

When I was told I had to go “under the knife” again… I just couldn’t.

I knew that before I can face it all, I needed to feel alive.

Alive like I hadn’t felt since 2019.

And the only way to do that was to jump into an adventure that made absolutely no sense.

Some thought it was an escape. Others, an act of courage.

They were all a little right.

But one year later, I know it was exactly what I needed.

I didn’t vanish from this space on purpose.

Juggling the time difference, new connections, and keeping old ones alive was… impossible.

Choosing to share my journey only on my personal account made things easier. Some of you were already there.

The rest? I’m telling you now.

🌍 Why Australia?

The idea had been in my head for a while.

Since the summer before, actually.

But for a thousand reasons, it had never become real.

In the end, it was my family who pushed me. They were the ones who were most scared at first. They encouraged me to take that list of contacts and scribbled ideas seriously.

They thought I’d go for three months, then come back for surgery.

Well… we know how that turned out.

So, why Australia?

Because it’s (relatively) easy.

Sounds like a paradox, I know — 24 hours of flying, a different language, a completely different culture.

But for Italians, the Working Holiday Visa is accessible.

English (even the spaghetti version) is manageable, and you can find work — especially as a backpacker.

Australia had everything I needed:

• The chance to earn and support myself
• The opportunity to improve my English
• The promise of a real adventure

👩🏻‍💼 What did you do in Australia?

Everything. And nothing.

And that’s the truth.

I didn’t work in my field — it’s tricky without converting degrees or getting extra certifications.

So, I did what I needed to live well. And more than that.

• I started as an au pair for an Aussie family. They now are family. I will share more on that in another post.
• Then I waitresses for a couple of months.
• Finally, I focused on completing the famous 88 days required for the second visa. That led to an intense experience on a small island, working in housekeeping.

I won’t go into too much detail here.

Each job deserves a dedicated post of its own.

🤔 How was it?

Answering this properly needs a full article.

But I’ll try to keep it short: I had a great time, but it wasn’t always easy.

The hardest parts weren’t about the country — they were about me.

My mindset. My expectations.

What was difficult for me is easy for someone else.

Overall?

I miss Australia.

And I can’t wait to go back.

🧭 Would you recommend it?

Yes.

And no.

It depends on who’s asking — and why.

It’s a life-changing experience.

It will test you. It will shape you.

But it’s not the “surf, sunsets, and smoothies” dream TikTok sometimes promises.

It’s real.

And it’s not for everyone.

If you can’t adapt or let go of control, it’s tough.

But that, too… is a conversation for another day.

🏡 Are you back for good?

Not yet.

I don’t think Australia is where I’ll settle.

But I’m not ready to close that chapter either.

Since my second visa has already been approved, staying in Italy would mean wasting months of work and sacrifice.

And I’m not ready to do that.

I’ll be heading back to the land of kangaroos between late September and October.

Then we’ll see.

🌱 And now, what’s next?

The same thing I’ve been doing so far:

everything and nothing.

Right now, I’m taking time to:

• Catch up on medical appointments
• Hug my family again
• Reconnect with my friends
• Give space to my creativity (this blog included)

I’m trying to return without losing the pieces I picked up along the way.

And hopefully, collect some new ones too.

And no, I didn’t bring a koala or kangaroo home with me.

Please stop asking. 😄