From Mexico to Perth | Culture Shocks & Work-Life Balance in Australia | S2 E17 Chinwag Tuesdays

What’s it like moving from bustling Mexico City to the calm and quiet of Perth, Western Australia? In this warm and insightful episode of Chinwag Tuesdays, I chat with Karen—my very first guest from Mexico—about her journey as a skilled migrant, her career in the IT industry, and the cultural surprises she faced along the way. Karen opens up about everything from converting pesos to dollars at the supermarket, to adjusting to Aussie work culture, to embracing Australia’s slower pace of life. We also talk about the challenges of making new friends, how she’s giving back to the community by tutoring new migrants in English, and what she’s learned about finding purpose in a new country. If you're thinking about migrating to Australia, or you're already here and looking for connection, this episode is for you. Learn Australian English through real migrant stories! This episode gives insight into the Aussie work environment, lifestyle differences between Mexico and Australia, and how to build a fulfilling life abroad. Great for international students, skilled migrants, and professionals aiming to improve their Aussie English and settle into life in Australia. Interested in volunteering as an ESL teacher and giving back to the migrant community? Check out this link: https://www.northmetrotafe.wa.edu.au/amep-volunteer-tutor-scheme ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ⌛ Chapters 0:00 – Introduction to Chinwag Tuesdays 0:05 – Karen’s background: from Mexico City to Perth 6:06 – Early surprises adjusting to quiet Perth and cost of living 13:05 – Work culture contrast: hierarchy, autonomy & work‑life balance 20:00 – Volunteering as an English tutor through AMEP 24:30 – Building friendships and embracing multicultural life 29:00 – Advice for migrants: clear goals, adaptability & tailored migration paths ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 📲 How to Contact Karen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magpie.27 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenayalapadilla/ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 🗣️ Practise listening to real Aussie English and learn natural pronunciation in a relaxed, meaningful context. 📌 If you’re improving your Aussie accent, navigating life in Australia, or seeking inspiration as a migrant — this episode is for you. 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes focused on Aussie English, Aussie accent, and real-life stories from migrants across Australia. ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 🎙️ About Aussie English with Amanda On this channel, you’ll find practical tips to improve your Australian English, pronunciation, and cultural understanding. What you’ll learn here: ✅ How to perfect your Aussie accent & pronunciation ✅ The most useful Aussie slang & expressions ✅ How to communicate naturally in Australian workplaces and social settings 📅 New episodes of Chinwag Tuesdays every fortnight and a new video lesson every month! Subscribe now to improve your Aussie English and learn from expert guests. 🐨🇦🇺 ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 🎓 Want to Take Your Aussie English to the Next Level? 🚀 Join my all-in-one Aussie English course - ‘Mastering Australian English!’ 👉 https://www.aussieenglishwithamanda.com/mastering-australian-english 🇦🇺 Understand & use Aussie slang naturally with ‘The Aussie Slang Crash Course’ 👉 https://www.aussieenglishwithamanda.com/the-aussie-slang-crash-course 📚 Explore my Aussie English eBooks! 👉 https://www.aussieenglishwithamanda.com/store 📊 Test Your English Level Here 👉 https://www.aussieenglishwithamanda.com/english-level-test 🎁 Get Free Aussie English Resources! 👉 https://www.aussieenglishwithamanda.com/freebies 👩‍🏫 Work with Me! See all the ways I can help 👉 https://www.aussieenglishwithamanda.com/ways-to-work-together ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 📱 Follow Me for Daily Aussie English Tips! 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aussie.english.with.amanda/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aussie.english.with.amanda 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aussieenglishwithamanda ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ 🔔 Don’t Forget to Like, Subscribe & Comment! 👍 If you found this lesson helpful, hit the like button and subscribe for more Aussie English accent and pronunciation lessons! #aussieenglish #aussieaccent #aussieslang #australianenglish #englishlearning #straya #aussieenglishwithamanda