Yohana Jury, an Australia-based immigrant from Indonesia, shares her story and insights. She grew up in a small town in Indonesia and moved to Australia on a scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in her desired field of study. While there, she met the man who would later become her husband, which led her to stay in the country to start a family.
Throughout the conversation, Yohana opens up about the difficulties she faced in finding a job that aligns with her skills. Despite holding local credentials and professional experience from overseas, she initially had to work at McDonald’s to gain her first Australian work experience. Today, she has achieved her dream career, but her journey required immense effort and perseverance.
Yohana offers practical insights for other immigrants navigating their integration journey. She emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community, cultivating self-belief, and persevering during difficult times. Ultimately, she encourages migrants to work hard and take pride in their efforts, even if it means starting at a lower level.
Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Johana Jury
02:26 – Growing up in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
04:02 – Early teaching career and daily life differences
06:08 – Earning a scholarship and moving to Australia
07:24 – Culture shock and adjusting to the Australian accent
10:36 – University experience and navigating language barriers
13:32 – The struggle to find work after graduation
15:00 – Starting from scratch with a job at McDonald’s
18:01 – Lessons in resilience and helping other migrants
20:16 – Building confidence and navigating identity
28:27 – Advice on belonging, community, and making Australia home
To connect with Yohana:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohanajury/?originalSubdomain=au
Thank you for listening to From There To Here!
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I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!
This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.
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Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience, disability, and transformation.
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