Friends leave NZ for UK
Apr 20th 2004, 8:58 am
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
Location: NZ since 2003.
Posts: 1,433
Friends leave NZ for UK
I just thought I'd share this with you.
We have been in NZ for 9 months. 6 months ago we became friends with another UK family who had just arrived. I worked with the wife. Our kids got on great, hubbies found a like minded mate to have a pint with. We sounded so alike as to why we had left the UK and what we hoped to achieve for ourselves and our kids in NZ. We acted as towers of strenghths to each other during our first christmas away from home. We understood the sort of things we each missed.
Then 3 weeks ago, they decided to go "home" !!! In 3 days they had booked flights and started the ball rolling to return. They returned last week. I can not begin to tell you how sad and unsettled it made me feel. I could not believe I had missed seeing their pain at missing home and family so much. They said they'd give NZ a year when they arrived, but once they realised it wasn't "Home" they decided to leave.
We'll all miss them greatly, but there is a point to this. They thought that because NZ is English speaking, it would be like England. Until they flew to Auckland, they had never been abroad before. They missed the familiarity of UK supermarkets, shops and UK products {having family send over Walkers crisps and Cadurys chocolate}. We have tried to integrate as much as possible, buying and eating kiwi produce. We love the "challenge" of shopping abroad {we've travelled/holidayed all over the globe}. We'll miss them, but know it was the right decision for them, even if we can't quite understand their reasons, {"NZ is further away than we thought" !!!}.
Gill, thank goodness I have "the Stuart Littles" to keep me busy.
We have been in NZ for 9 months. 6 months ago we became friends with another UK family who had just arrived. I worked with the wife. Our kids got on great, hubbies found a like minded mate to have a pint with. We sounded so alike as to why we had left the UK and what we hoped to achieve for ourselves and our kids in NZ. We acted as towers of strenghths to each other during our first christmas away from home. We understood the sort of things we each missed.
Then 3 weeks ago, they decided to go "home" !!! In 3 days they had booked flights and started the ball rolling to return. They returned last week. I can not begin to tell you how sad and unsettled it made me feel. I could not believe I had missed seeing their pain at missing home and family so much. They said they'd give NZ a year when they arrived, but once they realised it wasn't "Home" they decided to leave.
We'll all miss them greatly, but there is a point to this. They thought that because NZ is English speaking, it would be like England. Until they flew to Auckland, they had never been abroad before. They missed the familiarity of UK supermarkets, shops and UK products {having family send over Walkers crisps and Cadurys chocolate}. We have tried to integrate as much as possible, buying and eating kiwi produce. We love the "challenge" of shopping abroad {we've travelled/holidayed all over the globe}. We'll miss them, but know it was the right decision for them, even if we can't quite understand their reasons, {"NZ is further away than we thought" !!!}.
Gill, thank goodness I have "the Stuart Littles" to keep me busy.
Apr 20th 2004, 10:07 am
#2
Bitter and twisted
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Upmarket
Posts: 17,503
This post might be useful on the 'Australia and New Zealand' forum as a warning to people to do their homework and as a reminder of what the reality of migration is all about.
I am sure your friends were not alone in thinking that New Zealand and Australia are just like UK but with better weather.
G
I am sure your friends were not alone in thinking that New Zealand and Australia are just like UK but with better weather.
G
Apr 20th 2004, 12:03 pm
#3
Live the moment
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: In between nappies and feeds
Posts: 2,026
Thanks Gill and Rob. I am sure your friends will be happy at home. It's not easy and it's not for everyone is it.!!
All the best for you guys
Pants
All the best for you guys
Pants
Apr 20th 2004, 4:46 pm
#4
home again, home again
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Notts to Perth, Perth to Notts
Posts: 1,748
Re: Friends leave NZ for UK
Originally posted by Gill and Rob
I just thought I'd share this with you.
We have been in NZ for 9 months. 6 months ago we became friends with another UK family who had just arrived. I worked with the wife. Our kids got on great, hubbies found a like minded mate to have a pint with. We sounded so alike as to why we had left the UK and what we hoped to achieve for ourselves and our kids in NZ. We acted as towers of strenghths to each other during our first christmas away from home. We understood the sort of things we each missed.
Then 3 weeks ago, they decided to go "home" !!! In 3 days they had booked flights and started the ball rolling to return. They returned last week. I can not begin to tell you how sad and unsettled it made me feel. I could not believe I had missed seeing their pain at missing home and family so much. They said they'd give NZ a year when they arrived, but once they realised it wasn't "Home" they decided to leave.
We'll all miss them greatly, but there is a point to this. They thought that because NZ is English speaking, it would be like England. Until they flew to Auckland, they had never been abroad before. They missed the familiarity of UK supermarkets, shops and UK products {having family send over Walkers crisps and Cadurys chocolate}. We have tried to integrate as much as possible, buying and eating kiwi produce. We love the "challenge" of shopping abroad {we've travelled/holidayed all over the globe}. We'll miss them, but know it was the right decision for them, even if we can't quite understand their reasons, {"NZ is further away than we thought" !!!}.
Gill, thank goodness I have "the Stuart Littles" to keep me busy.
I just thought I'd share this with you.
We have been in NZ for 9 months. 6 months ago we became friends with another UK family who had just arrived. I worked with the wife. Our kids got on great, hubbies found a like minded mate to have a pint with. We sounded so alike as to why we had left the UK and what we hoped to achieve for ourselves and our kids in NZ. We acted as towers of strenghths to each other during our first christmas away from home. We understood the sort of things we each missed.
Then 3 weeks ago, they decided to go "home" !!! In 3 days they had booked flights and started the ball rolling to return. They returned last week. I can not begin to tell you how sad and unsettled it made me feel. I could not believe I had missed seeing their pain at missing home and family so much. They said they'd give NZ a year when they arrived, but once they realised it wasn't "Home" they decided to leave.
We'll all miss them greatly, but there is a point to this. They thought that because NZ is English speaking, it would be like England. Until they flew to Auckland, they had never been abroad before. They missed the familiarity of UK supermarkets, shops and UK products {having family send over Walkers crisps and Cadurys chocolate}. We have tried to integrate as much as possible, buying and eating kiwi produce. We love the "challenge" of shopping abroad {we've travelled/holidayed all over the globe}. We'll miss them, but know it was the right decision for them, even if we can't quite understand their reasons, {"NZ is further away than we thought" !!!}.
Gill, thank goodness I have "the Stuart Littles" to keep me busy.
They had visited three times previously to Perth. No amount of planning and holidays can actually prepare you for the 'real living' here.
One of the first hings my hubbys aunt said when we arrived was that we would meet lots of people, but also see lots go back to the UK, how true this is.
Apr 24th 2004, 4:27 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 716
Hi Gill and Rob,
Know how you are feeling, same thing happened to me many moons ago, you feel very sad to see them leave, but look on the bright side, they can always come and stay with you for a holiday
and you can visit them perhaps.
I must admit, no one ever know how they are going to except another country, especially one so far from home.
keep smiling
Irish Guinness.
Know how you are feeling, same thing happened to me many moons ago, you feel very sad to see them leave, but look on the bright side, they can always come and stay with you for a holiday
and you can visit them perhaps.
I must admit, no one ever know how they are going to except another country, especially one so far from home.
keep smiling
Irish Guinness.
May 19th 2004, 8:17 am
#6
Just Joined
Joined: May 2004
Location: Greater Manchester
Posts: 16
Re: Friends leave NZ for UK
Originally posted by Gill and Rob
I just thought I'd share this with you.
We have been in NZ for 9 months. 6 months ago we became friends with another UK family who had just arrived. I worked with the wife. Our kids got on great, hubbies found a like minded mate to have a pint with. We sounded so alike as to why we had left the UK and what we hoped to achieve for ourselves and our kids in NZ. We acted as towers of strenghths to each other during our first christmas away from home. We understood the sort of things we each missed.
Then 3 weeks ago, they decided to go "home" !!! In 3 days they had booked flights and started the ball rolling to return. They returned last week. I can not begin to tell you how sad and unsettled it made me feel. I could not believe I had missed seeing their pain at missing home and family so much. They said they'd give NZ a year when they arrived, but once they realised it wasn't "Home" they decided to leave.
Good luck to you and yours - I hope your new life is all you dreamed of! You seem really happy!
We'll all miss them greatly, but there is a point to this. They thought that because NZ is English speaking, it would be like England. Until they flew to Auckland, they had never been abroad before. They missed the familiarity of UK supermarkets, shops and UK products {having family send over Walkers crisps and Cadurys chocolate}. We have tried to integrate as much as possible, buying and eating kiwi produce. We love the "challenge" of shopping abroad {we've travelled/holidayed all over the globe}. We'll miss them, but know it was the right decision for them, even if we can't quite understand their reasons, {"NZ is further away than we thought" !!!}.
Gill, thank goodness I have "the Stuart Littles" to keep me busy.
I just thought I'd share this with you.
We have been in NZ for 9 months. 6 months ago we became friends with another UK family who had just arrived. I worked with the wife. Our kids got on great, hubbies found a like minded mate to have a pint with. We sounded so alike as to why we had left the UK and what we hoped to achieve for ourselves and our kids in NZ. We acted as towers of strenghths to each other during our first christmas away from home. We understood the sort of things we each missed.
Then 3 weeks ago, they decided to go "home" !!! In 3 days they had booked flights and started the ball rolling to return. They returned last week. I can not begin to tell you how sad and unsettled it made me feel. I could not believe I had missed seeing their pain at missing home and family so much. They said they'd give NZ a year when they arrived, but once they realised it wasn't "Home" they decided to leave.
Good luck to you and yours - I hope your new life is all you dreamed of! You seem really happy!
We'll all miss them greatly, but there is a point to this. They thought that because NZ is English speaking, it would be like England. Until they flew to Auckland, they had never been abroad before. They missed the familiarity of UK supermarkets, shops and UK products {having family send over Walkers crisps and Cadurys chocolate}. We have tried to integrate as much as possible, buying and eating kiwi produce. We love the "challenge" of shopping abroad {we've travelled/holidayed all over the globe}. We'll miss them, but know it was the right decision for them, even if we can't quite understand their reasons, {"NZ is further away than we thought" !!!}.
Gill, thank goodness I have "the Stuart Littles" to keep me busy.
Good luck to you and yours - I hope your new life is all you dreamed of! You seem really happy!
Last edited by Guocera; May 19th 2004 at 8:20 am.
