From The US To Australia: Moving In With Ease

For many Americans thinking of emigration, Australia has become one of the most common choices for them to move into. In fact, more and more people from the US are now filing for Australian visas and moving into the country in recent years. But many are still asking, how easy really is it to move in from the States to the land down under?

As it unexpectedly turns out, getting in to Australia from the US is indeed relatively easy. There are actually many ways available for Americans to immigrate here. One of the most popular means is through sponsorship of employers. This one has become a viable option for many as more and more companies from the US either expand or move their operations into Australia.

What makes this method even more favorable to more Americans is that it actually doesn't require too much effort, as most of the legwork is done already by the sponsoring company. All one needs to do is to simply to submit his visa application and the company will do the rest. Also, since there is already a job waiting for you there, the process actually goes much faster.

Another common route that is taken by many US citizens to gain entry to Australia is the foreign student program. Actually, this one can be seen as only a second consideration, as most Americans actually go to Australia to study simply because of the quality of education there. However, immigrating into the country through this method is also rather easy, as the Australian foreign student program actually allow students to apply for permanent residency right after graduation.

However those coming in from the US needs to be ready. While entry is indeed quite a cinch, staying isn't. And there are actually a lot of things that you need to work on in order fit into Australia. And you also will have to learn a lot of other new things in order to finally settle in.

One of the things that you need to be prepared for is the Australian culture. Though the population is made up of mostly whites, the society here is far different from the ones that you are used to back home. For one, Australians are more relaxed, as compared to the businesslike attitude displayed by most westerners. Also, Australian culture is a mixture of elements coming from many different countries, so you also need to know even a bit about these.

Another thing that you will likely be surprised of is the language. Though Aussies do speak English, they might sound very different to the one you are used to. So be sure to learn the language even before you arrive here.

Meet Australia's Little Brother

Aside from Australia, migration experts say that another country that would be a good place to move into is New Zealand. These islands (there are actually two of them) off the southeastern coast of the continent, have in fact began catching the interest of many foreigners who want to move in here. And you will probably be surprised to know that one of the biggest foreign population in the country is that of Australians.

Before looking more into the prospects of living in New Zealand, it would be a good idea to know a little bit about the country. Unlike the neighboring continent, which has been settled for more than 50,000 years, the islands of New Zealand were only inhabited in relatively recent times. The first Polynesian colonizers arrived here in the 12^th century AD, though there are some experts that say that people might have arrived here much earlier.

On the other hand, European exploration of the islands begun in the early 17^th century. It is here that you would find an interesting connection between it and Australia. You see, the first European who set foot in New Zealand is the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. You will probably remember Tasman from the history books as the man who also first explored the state of Tasmania (and for whom it was eventually named). Also, the famed Captain James Cook, who founded the colonies on the continent, also made subsequent journeys to the islands. Eventually, both the two countries became colonies of Britain.

How the islands got the name of New Zealand got the name (again, considering that there are two of them) is a rather interesting one. Until recently, there was actually no name for the two islands together. The North Island was simply know as such, and so is the South Island. However, the first mention of the name New Zealand became popular among Dutch cartographers (map makers) as they saw it as similar to the Dutch province of Zealand. Eventually, it was James Cook who christened the islands New Zealand, from the older term.

It would be interesting to date that because of their similar histories of being under the British, both countries share ties with each other. In fact, they both mutually recognize each other's citizens. Thus, people can actually travel in between Australia and New Zealand without having to get a visa first. Aside from that, there are also other benefits that are mutually awarded to citizens of both countries.

And just like Australia, New Zealand is fast becoming a favorite among travelers. In fact, many are looking forward to seeing the islands' exotic landscape. This makes the islands another must for tourists.

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Exploring The Ancient Daintree Forest

Many Australian tourist visa holders would definitely be on the lookout for any interesting places to visit in the country. And since this is indeed Australia, they will not be disappointed, as there are plenty of such areas. In fact, some of them are very unique that you can consider it a one in a lifetime chance to see them. 

One such place is the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland. The forest and the national park that forms part of it is located in the Far North region (which is indeed the northernmost part) of the state. The area got its name from geologist Richard Daintree, one of the pioneers of Australian exploration. To give you an idea of how remote the area is, it is about 1,500 kilometers away from the capital of Brisbane. This means that you will have to travel one whole day just to get to the area.

So, why go to the forest, you might ask. What's so special about it? Well one thing that will surprise you about the rainforest is its age. Scientists estimate that the entire forest has been in existence since over one hundred and thirty five million years ago. This makes it the oldest rainforest in existence in the world to they.

Traveling in the rainforest will also make feel like traveling in time. In fact, there have been several creatures that were long thought to be extinct only to end up being discovered here. One of such is the flowering plant Austrobaileya. What makes this plant interesting it that it smells like rotten fish. This attracts flies that pollinate the plant.

Aside from the primitive creatures that can be found in the area, the Daintree Forest is known as one of the most bio diverse areas in Australia. In fact, it contains about 30 percent of all the reptile species that can be found in the continent. And there are about 1200 different species of insects. All of this in an are that is less than 0.2 % of the country's entire size.

There are also many different natural wonders that you can find in the area. One such place is the Mossman Gorge. This patch of land can be considered as the best example of the forest's 0primitive landscape. The Daimtree River, which flows through the forest is also a popular destination for tourists hiking the area.

Getting to the forest is actually quite easy. There's a railway that takes travelers into the entrance of the forest. The railway itself is an important tourist attraction in the area. From here on, you traverse the forest on foot.

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The City That Is Alice Springs

One of the places that many Australian travel visa holders would often want to visit when in the country is the city of Alice Springs. In fact, it has been considered as one of the top destinations in Australia. But you might still be wondering as to what this small city in the middle of nowhere has to offer.

That would definitely be a good question. And the answer is actually pretty much expected. Alice Springs has so many interesting attractions. And you will definitely enjoy your stay here right in the middle of Australia (yes, the city is located right smack in the geographic center of the country).

But before you proceed on, here's a little bit of history about the city. The area around which is now Alice Springs has actually been inhabited continuously for 50,000 years by the Aboriginal Arrernte people. It was only in 1872 that a settlement of white people was established in the place as a result of the construction of a telegraph station that linked Adelaide to Darwin. Back then, the town was referred to as Stuart. It was only in the 1930's that the name Alice Springs came about.

Now that you are a lit bit familiar about the background of the city, its now time to get to know about its attractions. And as have been said previously, you will be delighted to know that there are actually a lot to see in this area.

One of the first places you can explore is the Pyndan Camel Tracks. Yes, you've heard it right, camels. And you have probably thought that they can only be found in the Middle East. Here you will be able to hitch a ride with one of these creatures, as well as get the chance to hand feed them. You will also be able to interact with other creatures, like kangaroos (a camel and a kangaroo, that would surely be an interesting one). The Tracks also offer overnight camping opportunities for those who want to experience what it's really like living in the desert.

Another great Alice Springs tourist attractions is the Alice Springs Reptile Center. The Center is home to over thirty different species of reptiles, ranging from small lizards to the massive crocodiles. Both kids and adults alike will certainly enjoy the very educational tour, plus they will also be able to hand feed some of the creatures, which will definitely be something to look forward to.

But perhaps the biggest attraction of Alice Springs is Uluru. This massive rock formation lies just around 300 kilometers from the city proper itself. What makes Uluru a popular destination is the sheer size of the rock as well as its scenic beauty.

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Preserving The Great Barrier Reef

One of the most popular destinations that many Australia travel visa holders would want to visit is the Great Barrier Reef. This natural wonder has so many interesting things to offer that tourists will surely love. Thus, it is not surprising that many would often have this on top of their lists when they vacation in the country.

However, in spite of it being a seemingly an eternal paradise, the Great Barrier Reef Is, in fact, in danger of being lost forever. There are many threats that are affecting not only the reef itself, but also all of the creatures that depend heavily on its existence. Thus, everyone is encouraged in protecting this Australian treasure.

One of the biggest threats that trouble the Great Barrier Reef ironically comes from the tourists themselves. As the tourism business continues to grow in the areas covered by the reef, more and more people come in to visit the place yearly. Eventually, they bring in all sorts of things that can destroy the reef, including pollutants. The activities that many tourists do in the area can also cause damage to the reefs.

Aside from tourism, other human activities can also affect the reef's quality. Considering that the reef is within the boundaries of some of the country's major cities, the effect of human activities are even greater here. Overfishing is another major problem that the Australian government has to contend with in protecting the reef. Since the reef is also within the major shipping routes, this is also another threat. It is not uncommon to encounter incidents of ships accidentally beaching on the reefs, or worse, spilling oil in the water.

The Australian government has taken many drastic measures in order to protect the Great Barrier Reef. One of the things that they have called upon is sustainable management. Here, establishments within the area are required to come up with solutions that not only will benefit their businesses, but will also help in preserving the reef. Another program that has been vigorously encouraged by the government is that of eco-tourism. In eco-tourism, tourists are still very much encouraged to explore the reef's wonders, not only for leisurely purposes, but more so to gain a better awareness on the environmental issues that greatly affect the area, as well as participation in conservation efforts.

Tourists themselves, can play a big part in saving the Great Barrier Reef. One can start by simply following the rules on travel here. Though this one might indeed be small, it will nevertheless contribute greatly on the effort. Also, they are encouraged to participate in the many conservation organizations the are helping preserve the reef. 

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Hanging Out With Your Australian Friends

One of the most important immigration information for Australia that many travelers need to know about is the customs of the people in the country. As what you might have already known, Australian culture has its own unique quirks. So it is definitely a good idea to know more about them in order to make interacting with Australians much easier.

The first thing you will encounter is, of course, being introduced to an Australian. Here, you will likely be a bit surprised that your introduction will not be all that formal. In fact, it might be as casual as saying “hi, this is...” You see, Australians are very much relaxed when encountering new acquaintances, so you will definitely be at ease when meeting them for the first time. A handshake is often enough to close the meeting between the two of you.

Also, don't be taken back when your new Australian friend actually starts calling you by your first name. This is in fact very normal and again, owes to the locals being more relaxed. You are actually allowed to do the same and even encouraged to do so, as Australians see it as a sign of warmness on your part.

Another thing that you will likely notice is that Australians love conversing. And they will talk on many topics that they can think of. This is actually a good way of starting a great relation with your new found friend. One of the topics that you can start with is something having to do with sports, as Australians are indeed sports junkies.

However, it is likely that you are still trying to grasp Australian English at this stage. So if you are unsure of your ability to converse in the local language, it would actually be a good idea to stick to standard English. In case you don't understand a term that your companion is using, ask him softly what it means. Never attempt to use any word that you have just recently heard, as this might put you in a rather embarrassing situation.

Humor is also a big part of socializing among Australians. So don't be surprised in case you end up the butt of jokes when with your friends, also don't be onion skinned. You can respond with a snappy comeback and this will make your chat actually even livelier. However, make sure that you avoid any joke that might potentially be off the mark, or even racist, as this would leave a bad taste to others.

Also, you need to know the various customs with regards to going to gatherings with your friends. For instance, if you are invited to a dinner at a friend's house, it is customary that you bring in at least a bottle of wine or a dish to the occasion. Also, be sure to observe proper table manners when dining with friends.

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