#J002 - My experience with Australia
- Connor Davies-Beare
- Feb 21
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 24
I don't regret travelling at all, but there's a lot I would do differently if I were to do it again.
A bit of background
After graduating Swansea University in June 2022, I went to Australia. While I don't regret going at all, I do regret not making the most of the opportunity and there's a lot I would do differently if I went again.
I had an amazing opportunity to stay with a friend’s aunt in the heart of Melbourne—a beautiful location with so much potential. But looking back, I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would. Why? Because I had no idea what I actually wanted to gain from the experience.
I was at a crossroads. The post-graduation phase is a strange yet exciting time when every door feels wide open, and so many people get pulled in different directions. Some of my friends back home were settling down, starting families, and buying houses. Others were staying in university, pursuing Master's degrees to enhance their career prospects. Some jumped straight into work to leave the broke student life behind, while others set off travelling, searching for something new.
As for me, I wasn’t ready to be a “real adult” and commit to a career. I still had curiosities I needed to feed and people I wanted to meet from all corners of the world. But beyond that, I was directionless.
Looking back, my mistake was not fully committing to either the freedom and unpredictability of a nomadic life or the routine and stability of building a life in a new city. I was torn between two paths: chasing new experiences and places or creating a lifestyle and structure I truly loved.
I think I liked the idea of being a nomad more on paper than in reality, but the truth is, I never truly gave it a proper shot. I spent three months living in a lovely apartment in the centre of Melbourne, but it wasn’t until I ventured to Daydream Island and experienced real backpacking that I got a taste of that lifestyle. By then, though, my mind was already made up about being home for Christmas, so I didn’t embrace the experience the way I could have.
If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to define your travel style before setting off. Decide whether you want the raw, unpredictable experience of a true nomad or to build a lifestyle you love in a new place. Have a plan to guide you, but leave room for flexibility because your goals might shift once you're out there. Whatever path you choose, commit to it fully.
Action 1: Defining Your Travel Type
📌 Task:
Decide if you want to build a lifestyle abroad or embrace a nomadic, free-roaming journey. Write down your decision and revisit it regularly to stay aligned with your intentions.
📝 Action:
Be clear on your intentions:
Lifestyle Builder: Are you looking for stability, a sense of community, and the chance for long-term growth in a particular place? Do you want to set roots, build a support system, and create a routine in a foreign country?
Nomadic Explorer: Or do you crave freedom, flexibility, and the excitement of constantly discovering new places? Do you want to move from one location to the next, living in the moment and chasing new adventures?
✅ Outcome:
Knowing your travel identity will help you make intentional decisions about where to go, how to live, and what kind of experiences to prioritise.
🌱 Example:
Lifestyle Abroad: If you choose this path, your focus will be on finding a home base, building meaningful connections, and establishing routines that support long-term growth and stability.
Nomadic Journey: If you choose this path, your priority will be flexibility, short-term stays, and actively seeking new experiences that fuel your sense of adventure and curiosity.
My personal lessons learned on building a lifestyle abroad
Based on my own experiences, I feel like I can only share personal lessons on building a lifestyle abroad rather than living as a nomad. Below are the top lessons I've learned.
💪 Stay True to Your Why
Keep your purpose for travelling front and centre—whether it’s self-discovery, learning, or cultural immersion. Staying connected to your ‘why’ keeps you grounded and helps guide tough decisions, like whether to change locations or choosing the right job.
🌅 Get Up Earlier
🎒 Pack Light
🏘️ Live in the Suburbs
🍻 Drink Less, But Make It Meaningful
🤝 Choose Your People Wisely
💼 Work With Purpose
📚 Keep Learning
🚗 Hire a car
Having clear travel goals is like creating a roadmap for your journey. It’s not about rigid plans, but more like a checklist that gives you something to work towards. By identifying the experiences, skills, and growth you want to achieve, you’ll have a sense of direction, which helps you stay focused and motivated. This way, as you explore new places and meet new people, you'll feel good knowing that every step you take is contributing to your personal development and broader aspirations. It keeps you engaged and allows you to track your progress, making your travels even more rewarding.
Action 2: Setting Your Travel Goals
📌 Task: Define what you want to do, see, and experience during your travels. Prioritise the experiences and growth you want to gain.
📝 Action: Make a list of skills you want to build, places you want to explore, and personal development goals you want to achieve. Think about things like learning a skill, taking a course, or developing/reconstructing a personality trait.
✅ Outcome: A travel experience that aligns with your personal aspirations, ensuring every step contributes to your growth or adventure.
🌱 Example: If I go back to Australia, I’ll focus on improving my surfing skills, volunteering with locals, and making lifelong friendships.
24 March, 2025
Master of None, Stolen Wisdom
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