Our Story of travelling to Australia in 2022 as an International Student

Finally, we arrived in Australia. It did not happen suddenly. It took soo much time and effort to process. Before that, I have never traveled out of my country, even though I have traveled around Sri Lanka. I never got a chance to do that in my past years. After ages, I could able to do that in 2022.

Actually, This is not an average tour to Australia. I came to do my Master's here. My preparation starts two years ago. But, the Covid-19 pandemic rapidly spread its authority around the world and all international borders were shut down. That period was tuff for every human being. Traveling to Australia from a South Asian country like Sri Lanka, even for higher study is not very as you imagine. There were thousands of paper works and financial requirements to fulfill the Visa requirement. 

Bandaranayaka International Airport

I always want to do future studies in a different country rather than my home country. Because I know it is the best way to explore a new continent, new culture, and new environment who having the travel fever like me.

However, lots of other countries were opened their international borders when the vaccination program did a great job. But, Australia denied opening its borders for international students until December 2021. After getting my Visa in November I was waiting a long period for the government decision with a broken heart. I was totally disappointed and feeling down. I had to start my studies online without any clue about the border opening. 

Suddenly, the Australian government did a big announcement about opening their country to international students. my eyes couldn't believe it after waiting that much time. However, I realized, I should need to be hurry because government decisions can be changed at any time.  It was mid of December and we started to check the air tickets for booking. We only found two tickets at an affordable price on the 25th of December 2021. If we didn't choose it, we have to wait more than a month to book another ticket. 

I had only less than two weeks to prepare for this long journey. When I am looking back at it, it was the busiest two weeks of my entire life. I had to pack two many things and meet people I most care about. At that moment, I hadn't bought my clothes, at least my traveling bags. Can you imagine the stress I had to handle? 

Not only that, It was a very tough situation in which I had to deal with my emotions. Actually, It was really hard to miss our belongers for a long time period. Even though, I hadn't time to rethink my decision. It all happened nonstop and there were so many requirements to fulfill before traveling to victoria. 

Basically, I should have a negative covid test report before 72 hours, a digital vaccine certificate, a Travel declaration form, a border entry permit, and so on. It was really stressful to fulfill so many documentation requirements. Finally, The waiting period came to end. We came to the airport at 12.50 am with thousands of hopes and expectations. Our first flight started from the Sri Lankan International Airport to Singapore Changi Airport. It was our first flights' experience of our entire life, we were so excited and a little bit scary.

Waiting to board

After passing immigration, we were waiting to border into the flight. It was a weird feeling, because, At the same time I was excited and broken. Time was flying like a bird, the waiting period came to end and we boarded to flight. As I said earlier, we flew on Christmas day, the airline crew gave us some sweets as a celebration and It was such a cute surprise. After sitting down in the seats, we were looking at familiar sights for the last time for a while. we have to make decisions to put our feet from our comfort zone for ourselves. Otherwise, we will regret that one day for sure. 

However, we were traveled by the Singapore Airline. The cabin crew was so friendly and supportive. our first flight reached Singapore at 7.30 in the morning. Here, I should need to mention, as a vegetarian my food experience was not so impressive. However, I could able to have a good dessert and drink. It was enough for me to survive. 

we had 3 hour waiting period at the Singapore Changi airport. It was the first time, I was in another country's land. We saw the mesmerizing sunrise from the window of flights. I haven't word to express the beauty of it. 

Changi Airport

                our first month in Australia

Our second flight starts at 11 am from Singapore to Melbourne. It was the first time we travel in the daytime across the clouds. If you had that experience, you know the beauty of it.  I felt like a butterfly, flying above the sky with the amazing sunshine. 

we had our second meal for the day and it was the same for me and the inside of the flight was so cold. It was 10 hours journey, I slept so many hours in the sky. I didn't feel any different, but some time flight went up and down. When the time was 5 pm, we were above the Australian land. I look down and try to figure out the differences between this land. At that point, we were apart more than 6000km from our roots and it was like magic. Another 2 to 3 hours, The flight was landed at the Melbourne airport. I was exhausted after 20 hours travel journey and super excited to begin the new chapter of our lives. 

First photo In Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport

After another 2-hour immigration process, we took a uber to our new home for some time period with lots of hopes and expectations. keep in touch with our blog and lei's walk with us on this new road......

 our first month in Australia