What does it really feel like to build a life in Australia as an immigrant in 2026?

In this episode of In Between Life, I reflect on everything we’ve talked about so far — from the rising cost of living in Australia to burnout, identity, and the emotional reality of starting over.

Following my last episode on the cost of living, I dive deeper into what’s changed since 2022 — including inflation, petrol prices, groceries, and government relief measures — and why, despite these changes, many immigrants and hospitality workers still feel financially and emotionally stretched.

This episode is also a reflection on the journey of this podcast and the stories shared so far:

• The pressure to find your first job in Australia

• The reality of working in hospitality as a migrant

• Conversations with Sandra, Darlene, and fellow chefs navigating visa pressure and responsibility

• Burnout in demanding industries and the mental health impact of migration

• Insights from Isha on emotional exhaustion, resilience, and coping strategies

• Identity struggles — living between visas, countries, and versions of yourself

If you’re an immigrant, international student, or working professional in Australia trying to build stability while navigating uncertainty — this episode will resonate deeply.

This is not just one story.

This is a shared experience.

🎙️ Follow In Between Life for real, unfiltered conversations about migrant life in Australia, hospitality careers, mental health, identity, and the journey of becoming

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Instagram - @itsthecookiebrain

Linkedin - Gaurvi P

Living in Australia is often seen as a better opportunity — but what does it actually cost to build a life here as an immigrant?

In this episode of In Between Life, I break down the real cost of living in Australia (2022–2026) based on my experience as a pastry chef and skilled migrant in Melbourne.

From rising inflation to everyday expenses, this is an honest look at what it takes to survive — and why saving money feels harder than ever.

We talk about:

• Weekly grocery costs in Australia ($80–$120+)
• Transport expenses using Myki in Melbourne ($40–$50/week)
• Petrol prices and weekly fuel costs ($1.80–$2.20 per litre)
• Health insurance costs for visa holders ($100–$150/month)
• How inflation has increased living costs by 10–25% since 2022
• The reality of income vs tax (30%+ deductions)
• Why many immigrants and hospitality workers struggle to save

This episode is for immigrants, international students, and anyone working in hospitality in Australia who feels like they’re earning… but not getting ahead.

If you’ve ever questioned your financial progress, felt the pressure of rising costs, or wondered if this journey is worth it this conversation will resonate.

🎙️ Follow In Between Life for real, unfiltered stories about migration, work, mental health, and the life we build in between visas and dreams.

References-

Australia Human rights institute

https://www.humanrights.unsw.edu.au/about-us/theinstitute

Australian Bureau of Statistics

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/consumer-price-index-australia/latest-release

Episode 9 with transcripts

Living in Australia is often seen as a better opportunity — but what does it actually cost to build a life here as an immigrant?

In this episode of In Between Life, I break down the real cost of living in Australia (2022–2026) based on my experience as a pastry chef and skilled migrant in Melbourne.

From rising inflation to everyday expenses, this is an honest look at what it takes to survive — and why saving money feels harder than ever.

We talk about:

• Weekly grocery costs in Australia ($80–$120+)• Transport expenses using Myki in Melbourne ($40–$50/week)• Petrol prices and weekly fuel costs ($1.80–$2.20 per litre)• Health insurance costs for visa holders ($100–$150/month)• How inflation has increased living costs by 10–25% since 2022• The reality of income vs tax (30%+ deductions)• Why many immigrants and hospitality workers struggle to save

This episode is for immigrants, international students, and anyone working in hospitality in Australia who feels like they’re earning… but not getting ahead.

If you’ve ever questioned your financial progress, felt the pressure of rising costs, or wondered if this journey is worth it this conversation will resonate.

🎙️ Follow In Between Life for real, unfiltered stories about migration, work, mental health, and the life we build in between visas and dreams.

References-

Australia Human rights institute

https://www.humanrights.unsw.edu.au/about-us/theinstitute

Australian Bureau of Statistics

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/consumer-price-index-australia/latest-release

Burnout in hospitality is real — but for many immigrants in Australia, it goes even deeper across industries like agriculture, paramedics, healthcare, IT

In this episode of In Between Life, I sit down with Isha, who brings a rare and powerful perspective.

Having worked in hospitality across India and Australia in front office, food & beverage, and sales roles — she now works in the mental health field, supporting people experiencing psychosocial challenges.

Together, we explore burnout not just as exhaustion from long hours, but as something layered with migration, identity, and the pressure to survive in a new country.

We talk about:

• Why burnout is so common in the hospitality industry
• The added pressure on immigrants and international students in Australia
• Early signs of burnout most people ignore
• Emotional vs physical burnout — and how to recognise both
• How work stress starts affecting life outside the job
• Realistic ways to protect your mental health while working long hours
• Cultural barriers around mental health in Asian and immigrant communities

If you're hospitality worker, or immigrant trying to build a life in Australia — this conversation will feel real, honest, and necessary.

You’re not alone in feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or stuck.

🎙️ Follow In Between Life for real stories about migration, work, and the life we build in between

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support

https://mensline.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/

Behind every chef in a kitchen, there’s a story that goes far beyond food.

In this episode of "In Between Life" I speak with a fellow chef from the Philippines who shares her journey of moving to Australia, building a career in hospitality, and navigating life as an immigrant.

We talk about what it really means to be the primary visa holder while your partner is dependent — the responsibility, the pressure, and the emotional weight that comes with it.

From working long hours in professional kitchens to adjusting to a new country, culture, and system, her story reflects the reality many migrant workers in Australia experience but rarely talk about openly.

This episode explores:

• Immigrant life in Australia
• Working as a chef in the hospitality industry
• Visa pressure and responsibility as the primary applicant
• Emotional resilience and adapting to a new life

If you are an immigrant, international student, or hospitality worker in Australia, this conversation will feel deeply relatable.

These are the stories behind the aprons — real, unfiltered, and still unfolding.

🎙️ Listen now and follow the podcast for more real migrant stories from kitchens across Australia

Burnout is one of the most common but least talked about realities of working in hospitality.

In this episode, I share my personal experience as an immigrant pastry chef in Melbourne working six days a week while trying to build a stable life in Australia.

From early morning kitchen shifts to late night rides on public transport, hospitality life can be physically demanding and emotionally exhausting — especially for migrants balancing work, studies, visas, and the pressure to succeed in a new country.

Why do so many chefs, kitchen workers, baristas, and hospitality professionals feel constantly tired?
How does migration make burnout even heavier?
And why do we rarely talk about it openly?

This episode explores the quiet realities of burnout in hospitality, the immigrant mindset of pushing through exhaustion, and the resilience it takes to keep building a life far from home.

If you’re an immigrant, international student, chef, or hospitality worker in Australia, this conversation will feel very familiar.

In the next episode, I’ll also be speaking with a mental health professional who previously worked in hospitality, to discuss practical ways professionals can deal with burnout both personally and professionally.

Follow the podcast, share it with someone in hospitality, and join the conversation.

Moving to a new country changes more than your address — it can change your identity.

In this episode of In Between Life, Gaurvi shares a deeply personal reflection on the identity crisis many skilled migrants face in Australia. When your life starts revolving around visa statuses — student visa, temporary visa, sponsored worker — it can feel like your professional identity, confidence, and sense of belonging are constantly being redefined.

As a pastry chef and skilled migrant working in hospitality, Gaurvi talks honestly about living between two countries, rebuilding a career from scratch, and navigating the emotional pressure that many immigrants silently carry.

This episode explores:
• Identity crisis as a skilled migrant
• Living between two cultures and countries
• Career resets in the hospitality industry
• The mental health challenges of migration
• Burnout, resilience, and rebuilding confidence
• Life while waiting for permanent residency in Australia

If you’re an immigrant, international student, hospitality worker, or migrant building a life in Australia, this conversation will feel familiar.

You’re not alone in the uncertainty, the pressure, or the quiet strength it takes to keep going.

In this episode of In Between Life, I share my journey from international student to sponsored pastry chef — navigating school, part-time kitchen work, visa transitions, and the emotional reality of starting over in your late 30s.

I talk about studying at Le Cordon Bleu, Melbourne, Australia, balancing three days of school with three days of work, and how soft skills, cultural sensitivity, and professional discipline shaped my transition from student visa to sponsored work visa in 2023.

This is not a success story.
It’s a real story.

We talk about:

• Migrant life in Australia

• Hospitality careers for international students

• Student visa to work visa

• Working while studying pastry arts

• Cultural integration in Australian workplaces

• Discipline, sacrifice, and professional growth

If you’re an immigrant, hospitality worker, international student, or someone rebuilding life in Australia — this episode is for you.

Not advice. Not motivation.
Just the truth about building something from the ground up.

What is it really like working in hospitality as a migrant in Australia?

In this episode, I interview a fellow Colombian hospitality worker about their real experience moving abroad — from jobs, to challenges, and what helps them overcome the cultural and language barriers.

We talk about:

• Migrant life in Australia

• Challenges in the workplace

• Motivations behind Chefs

• Building a life while waiting for stability

If you’re an international student, skilled migrant, or working in hospitality overseas, this honest conversation will resonate deeply.

This is a real story from the in-between.

Starting over in a new country sounds exciting — until you actually have to do it.

In this episode of In Between Life, I share the story of my very first hospitality job in Australia — just 10 days after landing as a migrant student.

From identity confusion to culture shock, I talk about:

• The pressure to find work immediately in Australia

• What kitchen trials are really like here vs back home

• The emotional shift from experienced professional to “new migrant”

• Lessons I learned in my first month working in Australian hospitality

If you're an immigrant, international student, chef, or skilled migrant trying to find your first job in Australia — this episode is for you.

This is not advice.
This is the reality of starting over.

🎧 Real migrant stories.
Unfiltered. Still unfolding.