[Chiba]

Curiousity - will NZ be the third country for anyone else out there? Fourth? If so, what's influencing your decision to move again? I don't mean you've done six months somewhere - I mean you're settled, integrated, dug in like a tick, etc.

Reason I ask is: I've just spent a couple of days filling in the (big) questionnaire from NZIS on which they'll base their phone interview. The document's naturally enough targetted at first time emigrees, but it made me realise all of the things that I now take for granted after 10 years in another country that were tricky the first time around. It's kind of hard to get that across on their questionnaire... on the one hand, I know there will be difficulties, so feel I should write that down so that NZIS know I'm taking the move seriously, but on the other I'm in a "we shall overcome" frame of mind after doing it once already.

By the way, that questionnaire's a great idea in my opinion - really makes you think! Maybe they should make you fill it in as part of EOI?

[Tentun]

Hi there
Yip, NZ will be our 3rd country. We came to the UK 7 years ago and have settled nicely. In my opinion the decision to move to NZ is harder in some respects because we are so settled and we both kindof think - oh boy, can we really go through it all again - no bank account to start with, no credit history, no friends, unsure of the system and the way things work, cultural differences, feeling like an outsider!! Do we actually want to put ourselves through it again when we have gotten so far in this country already.

But then, in the same breath, sometimes I think it's easier for us because the UK is not our country of birth so we don't have the usual ties of family, childhood memories, history etc - and we have done one big move once before so what's another one - we know the ropes, we know that it's tough, we know we have to make an effort with local people. We know we can do it no matter how tough.

We haven't gotten as far as you yet so we haven't had to do the questionnaire but if I were filling it in I would definitely be realistic about it. I don't think I would rose tint it because we know the difficulties and that should work to our advantage and give us a better chance of settling and getting through the hardships than someone who has never done it before. From our move to the UK - I know that there are hard times but we've come through them by sticking with it even when we thought we were mad and wanted to jump right back on that plane - and I know that the harder you work at it the better it will be and eventually things work out. So that will be my attitude with NZ too - I'll stick with it until I make it work for the better.

As for our decision to move again - I just want a change of scenery and a more outdoorsy life for my son. I'm hoping NZ will come close to the type of childhood that I experienced and give him a more relaxed lifestyle and less pressure to grow up too quickly.

Good luck with your questionnaire

[Hesh]

Chiba,

Good luck for your questionnaire.. btw, what kind of questions do they ask ?

-Hesh

[dharder]

Curiousity - will NZ be the third country for anyone else out there?

I moved to the States from Germany for a year, then back to Germany, then to the UK 10 years ago, and will move to NZ in December. I'm not sure about the questionnaire, as I am applying via the partnership route, so won't have to have an interview.

I don't want to leave the UK, mainly because I do feel settled here, and feel little inclination to 'settle' all over again.

I think I realised this the other day when my sister (not in the UK) asked me about a book called 'Starter for Ten', which she thought meant a reference to a meal, and in particular the starter of that meal for ten people. I could tell her that no, that is a reference to a tv programme, and means something completely different. The only reason I know this is of course because I've been here for a while, and now 'get' references, and in fact, make them myself.

I don't care so much about the technicalities of everyday life, I'm sure I'll be fine opening bank accounts and stuff, but the lack of cultural reference points within a new place will make it difficult for me. I'm not looking forward to spending another 10 years feelings as comfortable in my surroundings as I do here.

Daniela

[zardell]

I don't care so much about the technicalities of everyday life, I'm sure I'll be fine opening bank accounts and stuff, but the lack of cultural reference points within a new place will make it difficult for me. I'm not looking forward to spending another 10 years feelings as comfortable in my surroundings as I do here.
Daniela



Yep - can totally relate to that.

Cultural reference points and familiarity.

Well said.

Julie

xx

[Trigirl]

is this questionnaire a new thing i wonder? or is it just for certain countries? we didn't need to fill one out even though we did have to do an interview (over the phone)

has anyone from the uk done one of these?

[nippa&pippa]

NZ is also my third country but only born and live in jamaica for under a year before arrive in UK. Because i was only in jamaica for under a year and was a baby, therefore had no memory of jamaica!!, I didn't need to fill in questionaire about previous countries.

[Moorf]

No Trigirl, I don't recall a questionnaire either, but it seems heaps has changed in the (nearly) 3 yrs since we did the move - even the medicals are more thorough/expensive...

I've lived in several countries, and may still live in several more :D