I take great pride in the fact that I arrived in this country with just two suitcases and $500 in hand. Today, our achievements, both personally and professionally, stand as a testament to the rewards of unwavering hard work.

In 1992, my husband and I relocated from India to pursue a better future and lifestyle as permanent residents on a skilled migrant visa.

My advice to fellow migrants is to approach the journey with an open mind, readiness for hard work, and preparation for emotional, financial, and physical challenges. Setbacks may arise, and adapting to a new culture and country can be daunting, but embracing these experiences is crucial.

Despite facing some discrimination, I have navigated through it, moved forward, and embraced both my Indian identity and Australian culture. While staying connected with my overseas family, Melbourne has become my home for over 30 years. Despite missing my home country’s family and cuisine, I take pride in raising my kids, who were born here, into successful professionals.

Support for migrants could be improved through the establishment of support groups and services that enhance their skills for employment, address challenges, and offer opportunities. Personally, I take pride in our journey, from establishing our first home to raising our children into accomplished professionals.

Having adapted to a new culture, I successfully managed work, home, and social life, maintaining a balance between my roots and Australian culture. Each day, I approached life with determination, focus, a positive mindset, and a can-do attitude, leading me to where I am today—a content and proud mother witnessing my son run his own pharmacy and my daughter becoming a lawyer.