No Going Back
 

Hello Everyone,

My name is Abi, and i'm really sorry to intrude on your lovely forum, but i was wondering if anyone could offer me some advice. I'm a researcher on a Channel 4 TV programme called No Going Back, which is about brits looking to pack up and move abroad to start a new business or life in another country, preferably Australia, and i've been finding it difficult to find people, and get more research on what it entails and how difficult it is to actually pack up and move.

A lot of people do a lot of research before they move away and i wondered if anyone had details of companies or organisation that i could possibly contact to help me or give me advice as to where people go to do this and information on how easy/difficult it is.

If anyone is thinking of moving or making a new life for themselves and would be interested in No Going Back, I really would love hear from you. My e-mail address is [email protected].

Thanks for your time and again sorry to intrude.

Abi x

Re: No Going Back
 

To be honest Abi,

When I have watched 'No Going Back' on Channel 4, the migrants have made it look so easy.

Outbound publishing have brought out their own DVD on the actual process of migrating, paperwork from start to finish. This I have watched time and time again to boost my own confidence in my own application.

Although I enjoyed 'No Going Back', I find the whole 'struggle process' far more interesting to watch.

Film some of those migrants and you would really have the 'blood sweat and tears' stuff that makes great TV.

Because not only is the skills assessment the hardest part, without it you cannot migrate in the first place.

Ask for people at the skills assessment stage and they will tell you the same.

Good luck

Samantha

Re: No Going Back
 

Sniff! Why won't any local channels here in Norway do such shows? Damn; we even asked two of them, but /&%"#/ NO .. it does not fit with our schedule now was the reply! Hmm .. there must be a demand out there for stuff like this?? I find all those shows interesting ... and know others do as well!

Abi: not interested in a youngish Norwegian family then?!! ;) hehe! :D

/Jørgen Skogstad

Re: No Going Back
 

[no going back was a great show we loved it! Good to see different peoples hopes and dreams come real, but this wasn't always.I remember couples packing up everything and going and then getting homesick and coming back in one month! Remember the poor girl who's mother wouldn't speak to her for migrating. I have ofter thought of her and wondered if they ever made up? :)

Re: No Going Back
 

go 5 forums down and you'll find plenty people going back.

Re: No Going Back
 

samantha
i totally agree, these programmes are great but they do make it seem so easy. the skills assessment process was a nightmare trying to get all the info together, i don`t know why we didn`t give up, but everythings at the TRA now.They could make a programme on that stage alone.
But `good things come to those who wait`.(a long time).
keith and sam

Re: No Going Back
 

i agree sam,

ive got the outbound dvd, its great it shows just how frustrating it all is. i havent got to do the skills assessment, but im also in a position whereby i cant get wheels properly in motion until i pass my conversion. only 4wks to go.
once that is here, im sure i will be grey!
it would be nice to see real people who have actually thought about what they are doing and why and how. alot of these documentaries show people who appear to have spun the bottle and not researched anything.
they make it look simple and dont show half the emotions you feel in one hour let alone during the process.
maybe we should hire our own tv company for us lot on the forum :D

Trish
xx

Re: No Going Back
 

[What a program that would make!!!! tears, :( and smiles :) Since i started our paperwork we have had many ups and downs. Family think we have gone totally off our rockers! but why not. Life is short and full of many oppertunities if you are prepared to take them.Family we will miss but with computers and web cams and most importantly we have great memories which go with us.

Re: No Going Back
 

i actuaually spoke to a resercher for no going back and they were not interested unless you were moving and starting a buissness that you had never done before
ie: im a hairdreser hoping to open a salon thats no good i was told if i was to open a bb or cafe or something then they would be interested then.
but thats proberbly because there is a greater risk of you fallin flat onyer face and that makes better tv

Re: No Going Back
 

And that is because the TV staions only choose "a sure thing" - we were up for 2 different shows like this - but apparently we're "a liablility" as we do not have oodles of money and jobs to go to - they seem not interested in people that are not "secure" in their eyes. Both sat with us for ages and talked and talked and then....said they would talk to their bosses and get back to us...never called! Rejection from something like that is a bonus really - but where's the manners! Having dealt with a few of these programmes now, I am so glad we never had to deal with them at the same time as doing the most stressfull thing in our lives...if that's the way they deal with people. (Sounds like sour grapes huh - Hell No - I was just after the free flight and 1 month rent free, ha ha! And after that a mate said he's have disowned me if he had to watch them manipulate my character on "public humiliation" tv! Just as well we got rejected then!)

Re: No Going Back
 

thats the trouble with all these shows (new life down under, no going back etc) they just show the family 'appearing' in Aus. For us its been 18 months so far and still no visa!
I'd like to see a program with more details right from the beginning so people can understand more fully the whole process involved.

Its like "here's family A in their new home in Brisbane" forget about the 2 years it took to get them there. The shows overall are not very informative, the producers just want to film them argueing and all falling out.

The worst culprit is that one where they 'apparently' turn up on the doorstep and give the family 2 weeks to make up there mind to emigrate. What a load of Bollox!!!! What about Visa's, pets, kids schools, notice from work, house to sell etc.etc.etc.etc. No-one believes it so why cant the TV people be more honest.

The subject matter is there to make a really good documentry style program, I'm sure there are thousands of people interested in emigrating especially to Australia, so why not make something actually useful........but no, it all desends into trash TV.

Re: No Going Back
 

Well said!

Re: No Going Back
 

I think Samanatha makes a very interesting point. It is the whole 'paperwork process that needs to be explored first. Audiences need to know that it is not an easy process and relationships have broken down because they cannot take the pressure of the system. I too worked in TV for the BBC (Research, Producer) and I understand the mechanics and constraints to your programme, but you honestly put potenial migrants in cuckoo land !

Show them going throught the system, the whole process including medicals, staying up late at night trying to phone the DIMIA and waiting for the infamous yellow envelope to arrive. On the way point out what the system involves, the skills test, filling in the paperwork (an agent is not necessary - if you can pass the skills test, you can certainly do the paperwork yourself), the docters panel and the various problems you may encounter with the medicals and costs (it is not cheap).

Film their research of various locations, we bought every book possible(the Live and Work in Australia/NZ is excellent), read this site and visit the Australian government site (www.immi.gov.au) not only does this inform you of the process but gives, a realistic view of all aspects of Australian life. What are their main reasons for moving (this should be in your interview stage - heard many stories of people going back after a month !) Lastly, how it affected the children in the family not just from concept but the reality of the actual move, after the initial 'excitment' has worn off.

Trying to sell their UK house, having to 'validate' their visa by a certain date. The actual flight. Having to register with medicare, understanding the health system (the fact that you have 1 year to register for a private plan if you wish to take up the governments 30% rebate), changing your driving licence, taking the multiple choice test again and in some states having to do the practical test as well ! God the banks out here, how you are charged for everything. If you want a morgage with a good interest rate, you are usually advised to wait until you have been here and in your job for 6 months (you have no credit history here, you have to start from scratch).

You should touch on the fact that as a new migrant you have to prove your self against the competitor, which is usually an Australian who is very highly qualified. Most UK certificates are not recogised here - my husband was a very highly paid Engineer with responsibility for over £8 million worth of construction work, here in Australia his position just does not exist. He has had to change his career path totally and now work as a Services Manager in Construction, now learning everything about lift shafts/fire regulations and electrical/mechanical areas. This responsibility comes at about 1/3 less wage than he would earn in the UK ! On top of this, are UK people aware that Australians work very hard, much harder than in the UK - 8.00am start to 6.00pm with on average 20 days holiday (and as stated less wage).




Having said all this I would like to make it clear we personally have no regrets at all, love the country to death and its people, can't wait to become citizens and would never go back.


Why not make 2 x 30 - part 1 the process (all applicants will experience different hurdles/obstacles) and part 2 the actual move ? I think you should follow up on the migrants about a year after, people want to know how it has worked out.


Best wishes,
SD.

Re: No Going Back
 

With all your outlines etc - I would have watched that program - Let me know when you make it.

Re: No Going Back
 

I would have too ! I'm thinking about touting the Aussie TV networks but for a reverse programme - filming Aussies migrating to the UK - the only problem I can see, is that I might talk them out of it before they apply !!!

Cheers.

Re: No Going Back
 

I agree with all the above about the lack of focus on the agonising application process and the struggling to settle in rather than just a 4 week window when you parachute the participants in.

But I would also like to see more focus on people who are organised, looking for employment (rather than starting a business) and not a couple who are on the verge of splitting up etc. It might not be as exciting but it will give a much more balanced view of migrants go through I feel.

Re: No Going Back
 

Trish where did you get the outbound DVD from? I know we've already been to oz (and back again) but it would be interesting to watch? The prob with TV shows like No Going Back, is they don't show the application stages! The waiting, waiting and more waiting, selling of the house, leaving work, all the insecurities etc etc What they do show is, hurrah....visa granted, leaving party, on the plane and start a new life!!! It needs to be more real than that otherwise it gives people false hope. X

Re: No Going Back
 

I got my DVD's from 'Outbound Publishing' 'Australian News'.

Have watched them over and over again. Cant help it.

Its true though, although I watch the 'No Going Back', the Outbound DVD's are much better,

I still maintain that whilst the struggle begins when you arrive and settle in, alot can be said for the initial process of skills assessment.

How it takes over your whole life, how you hang on to everything Australian.

You go through the whole process in your head to try and imagine how it will be. I have even gone imagined going through airport security, leaving my family behind and made myself cry.

The whole picture should be shown if you want to get it balanced.

Re: No Going Back
 

We certainly fulfil the criteria of the show 'new business' etc, but there is no way on earth I'd ever participate - whole process is bad enough without having a TV crew filming your every ****-up.

Re: No Going Back
 

Now that would be a programme I would REALLY be interested in!! :)

Re: No Going Back
 

I think that filming us lot crying over our skills assessment forms, cursing the TRA and doing our daily entries onto Expats, would make great viewing :D

Not to mention the alcohol fuelled parties to help us over our 'trauma'.

Come on Channel 4, you have everything you need here on Expats.

You have a rich mix of characters, comediens, drama queens plus the odd troll thrown in for good measure.

And most people come onto this forum because they are planning their migration or helping others settle in.

You have everything you need Channel 4, you just have to look for it.

Re: No Going Back
 

hi mate,

www.outboundpublishing.com they have quite a few things you can order and watch, youve seen it and done it though! The dvd is about 6hrs long but is excellent and compulsive viewing :D

Re: No Going Back
 

Just thought I'd say hello Trish..............HELLO ! :)

xx

Re: No Going Back
 

Shouldn't you be asleep young lady. :D

Re: No Going Back
 

hello you :D
hope youre ok
will def chat soon.

trish
xx

Re: No Going Back
 

I should :D
Computer has glued itself to my lap

Shouldn't you be working?

Cas x

Re: No Going Back
 

Your right, I should be. As its the bosses computer I'm on I better move. Cya at next meet up.

Re: No Going Back
 

Will do Bordy, if not before - Carl is here no lter than 13 days time :D

Trish, give me a call when you not busy/knackered - leave message if out and i'll call you back xx

Re: No Going Back
 

will do mate, take care :)

Re: No Going Back
 

and how much would you be willing to pay a family to follow them on the hardest journey and time of there life.we have just come back from our visa trip and i am ready to go (wifes 95% ready) but the stress just getting this far is unreal..........how big is your cheque book

Re: No Going Back
 

Well said...you beat me to it.

Re: No Going Back
 

just got an email reply and guess what.they don't offer a fee and usually people want to take part as they are setting up a new business and its good publicity for them to get there business on t.v............they must be bloody crazy, and there goes my plan for a free holiday and a bucket of cash :)

Re: No Going Back
 

Dont they even pay for flights?

I'm sure A Place in the Sun actually pay for the flights and accomodation whilst the "punters" are out there... :confused:

Re: No Going Back
 

In what sense could it ever be considered good publicity, I wonder? I mean, how many of Ch4's viewers would watch it and then say - 'You know, I need some new flooring, I think I'll buy it from that guy on the TV despite the fact that they're 14,000 miles away. Who needs B&Q.'

What a load of pony.


:D

Re: No Going Back
 

More likely to be "If we ever do go to Australia we're buying nothing from that bunch of whinging poms!!!" :D

Re: No Going Back
 

don't think they pay for anything but don't quote me on that.it just says "we don't pay a fee" and then goes on about how it's good publicity for new business and if your reading this,the no going back team can i just say how much i enjoyed your shows and will be watching your next series BUT!.........get your hands in your pockets,it's cost us about £2000 from start to finish for all the forms and fee's such as TRA,visa's,meds and then you want a show for nothing. MY ARSE :p

Re: No Going Back
 

Hi again Professional Princess],
better photo of Gordon I have to say, where can I get this DVD about migrating petal. Would be grateful if you could give us an idea
cheers hun
lace :)

Re: No Going Back
 

Its a joke that you dont get paid. Those 'A new life down under' shows are repeated over and over again on Discovery channel. The repeat fees alone must be huge.

I read somewhere that Christopher Biggins lives on the repeat fees from 'Porridge'. So why cant 'ordinary' people get a slice of the cake.

If Everyone refused to go on these shows then there'd hardly be any TV apart from soaps.

Re: No Going Back
 

Hi there Lacey!

Do you subscribe to Outbound Publishing 'Australian News'?

I ordered it from there, think it was under £20 but cant remember.

I shall look up the site for you, and post the link. I know you can phone them up and order it.

Cant do it now as I should go to bed, been on here hours.

But tomorrow from work, I shall post you the details.

Take care

Sam

Re: No Going Back
 

Lacey the website you need is www.outboundpublishing.com

I have copied and pasted some info about the DVD for you too, probably easier to phone them.

My subscription has run out with them but I think its well worth renewing, the paper is great and informative.

Not got a copy of The Emigrate Challenge? Call 01323 726040 to purchase a copy now! RRP £19.99 – Existing Subscribers £16.99 – New Subscribers £14.99

Love Sam