Embracing change, resilience, and a growth mindset transformed my adversity into thriving in a new country. I stood up against challenges to protect my mental health and be the strong mother my daughter needed. Staying connected with the Malaysian community and culture in Australia helped me stay connected to my roots while building a new life here.

I came from Malaysia in 2013 to achieve a well-rounded lifestyle, arriving by plane with high hopes. Despite facing numerous life challenges and being a victim of domestic violence for six years, I was able to shift my mindset from that of a victim to one of growth. I dedicated eight months to my personal development, starting with mindset training. I became an NLP and TLT Practitioner, a Certified Life Coach, and attended various boot camps focusing on overall well-being and upskilling. I also became a keynote speaker. With this growth mindset, I focused on rebuilding my self-confidence, which had been severely impacted by domestic violence. As a keynote speaker, I now inspire others by sharing my story and strategies for navigating life’s challenges.

All my family members are in Malaysia, and I miss them dearly. Moving to Australia without any family members was challenging and made me feel like I had lost my main support system. However, I made new friends who treat me like family, and extended relatives and my mentors in Australia have become my new support network.

I am proud to be part of the Malaysian community here. As a member of the Malaysian and Singaporean Sikh Association, where I once served as Secretary, we celebrate and cherish our Malaysian culture through events like Merdeka Day and other festivals, gathering to enjoy our shared heritage and delicacies.

I believe immigrants can be supported during their transition by welcoming them into the community and providing guidance wherever possible. My advice for those in the early stages of migration is to embrace the new culture while maintaining your own traditions, seek community support, focus on the growth opportunities that come with change and challenge, and develop emotional intelligence to understand and manage your emotions so you can handle stress and adapt better.