My life in Australia, how the love began #5

It's time for part 5 of my weekly post about Australia, I will try to keep it a little bit shorter this time. I will talk about why I left and everything that came with that, enjoy reading :)

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I left Australia at the end of November in 2011, so 2 years ago, and I still really want to go back. The reason I left was money, unfortunately. I had money saved up and I got money from the 'Studiefinanciering' every month, that I saved on my Dutch account, which turned out to be a big mistake.

I needed to pay the semester upfront, but the money from the 'Studiefinanciering' only came in monthly. After the second semester I had saved money on my Dutch account, but then it turned out the currency had changed a lot in a bad way for me. The money I saved was worth half as much as it was when I came to Australia, and I realized I wouldn't be able to pay for the next semester, unless I got a payment plan. But then I would have the same problem the following semesters, and I didn't think that would be worth it. So I made the decision, that it would be better to go home, save some money and then come back.

The problem was that I didn't want to live in Holland, so I was looking at other options as well. That's when I thought about the Au pair program. As I mentioned in one of my previous Australia posts, I was thinking about studying in the United States as well, so it made sense to me to go there as an Au pair and see what life is like over there. Maybe I would want to stay or maybe I would want to go back to Australia, but at least then I would have a taste of both countries and cultures. So that's how I ended up here, a little bit later then planned, but I like my life here, although I don't think I could live her forever, so I have to figure out what's next, but I will write a separate post about that ;)

When I left Australia, I was sad and happy at the same time which was kind of confusing. I didn't want to leave my 'Indi family' behind, but I was also happy to see my family back home. My new family gave me a USB that I looked at when I was waiting for my flight, and it made me cry... They put on all kinds of pictures and memories of us, and in the end each of them wrote me a special message.

First I flew to Brisbane, and Greta was there, so we decided to stay in a cheap hotel, because my next flight wasn't till the next morning. It was so unreal when I was at the airport, to officially leave this amazing place. I still remember what Greta said: 'I don't like to say goodbye, so see you later.' And that's exactly how I felt. And I will see them later, but maybe a little later than I hoped for.

When I came home it was like I never left and I was fine for the first month or so, but then I was wondering why I was there, I didn't want to be in Holland, and I wanted to get out. I signed up for the Au pair program and then it took 10 long months before I left again. Off course I miss my friends and family, but I never miss Holland, it just doesn't feel like I belong there.

This was the last part of this series, next time I will talk about my plans after the Au pair program.

Do you ever feel like you don't belong where you are right now?