Q: Hi! My partner has been offered a fantastic opportunity to work in Canada for minimum six months, still 2/1 but home each night. I’m really excited that he has got this offer, and have encouraged him to take it up, which he said he would only do if I moved with him. Now it's getting closer though, I'm getting really nervous. I am looking forward to it, but I worry that while he is at work, I will start to resent him while I'm stuck in the house (we will be quite remote, and I won’t have the car during the day), especially because we don't have any children or anything for me to focus on, aside from maybe a part-time job or study. Am I right to feel apprehensive about this, or am I over-thinking? Are there any techniques you can recommend, or anything we should discuss beforehand to make the transition easier?

A: Firstly, let me say that it is perfectly normal for you to feel apprehensive about moving overseas. It will be a big change - but what an exciting one! One of the big benefits of the mining and resources industry is that there is the opportunity for travel. We have friends working expat throughout the world: Mongolia, Canada and Africa just to name a few.

My husband and I lived for two years in South Africa, before we had kids, and I can honestly say it was the best thing we ever did. We travelled heaps and really made the most of it.

My husband worked long hours and I was certainly apprehensive before we left. South Africa is so different from Australia, with so many cultural differences as well as security issues. I was not able to get a visa and felt very worried about being home all the time on my own.

I have to tell you we had the time of our lives. We bought a little car so that I could have freedom to move around and go exploring. I would highly recommend this - I know it can seem like a big cash outlay you would prefer not to have, but it will save your sanity. Even if it’s just to have the freedom to go to the shops.

I also got a cash job (I'm a nurse) at a little local alternative health clinic - well, really it was more of a massage and beauty salon! I worked four days a week for just $400 a month, so you can see I certainly didn't do it for the money! It was just such a great way to meet people and I had so much fun. I'm not sure of your employment background but it might be worth looking into a spousal visa for Canada - you could enquire at the mine also to see if there is a job in administration etc.

You will find that people are so friendly and you won't believe how quickly you make friends. Some close mates of ours spent two years in Canada for mining and they LOVED it. 

Having said all that, though, you really need to give it six months before it feels like home. And make sure you use Skype etc to stay in close touch with loved ones back here. 

Also, have a good honest chat with your husband about your concerns. I'm sure he is feeling apprehensive as well, but I can't tell you what a great experience you will have. 

And at the end of the day, if you get over there and after many months you both still hate it - just come home. It's all a choice and if it's not working for either of you, reasses and make a new plan!

Please let us know how it all goes.  I am so excited for you. My adventure was 10 years ago. We now have two kids and are more settled, but I still think so fondly of the time that we lived overseas! I now hope to do it again with the kids some day.

Take care, Alicia