[Editor]

Australia has for many years been one of the more popular expat destinations and indeed the Austrian authorities have been very keen to bring on-board skilled and unskilled workers to assist with a growing economy. Even though the Australian economy has started to flatten out with regards to growth, at least in the short to [...]

Click to read the full news article: 22% Expats in Australia feel lonely...
Please come back to discuss the story here in this thread.

 

[Ricko_man]

To be honest, I think 22 per cent is very low.
Does it reflect the "real" per cent of loneliness? I believe most of the expats don't build up their social life to the level it was back home. But since this is so obvious when you relocate, maybe they don't regard it as loneliness.
More info about the percentage among single/married would have given a better view of this data.

 

[Jayceee]

If you don't mind umpire I think I'll apply the Murdoch trash-media test to this story. Who is paying for it, who's agenda is it pushing, and who benefits from it...nuff said!

 

[stormgal]

If you don't mind umpire I think I'll apply the Murdoch trash-media test to this story. Who is paying for it, who's agenda is it pushing, and who benefits from it...nuff said!

I don't know why you're being negative - this is a very valid point. Far too many posts have been written here and elsewhere by various people exactly because of loneliness.

I believe it's a problem that will effect many of us. The only way that someone will not feel lonely is if they're moving to Australia because they're in love with someone over there. Or maybe being married will somewhat help.

I don't believe for a second that people do not go through home sickness when overseas. But I think that some people are able to mitigate the feelings of loneliness because they're better skilled at making friends - i.e. having more bubbly personalities, not being shy, "social leaders", etc. It takes skills to make and keep friends and starting from scratch in a foreign country is no easy task.

 

[Jayceee]

So you're saying it does pass the Murdoch trash-media test ?

 

[Jayceee]

Stormgal,

On reading back I think my questioning of the report might have been too forensic in that I failed to take into account the sensitivities of those who its was about...for that I apologize.

My questions regarding the veracity of the report still stand.

Jaycee

 

[stormgal]

So you're saying it does pass the Murdoch trash-media test ?

I don't know what the Murdoch test is, but I really don't think the story is trash. I remember reading a stats publication on DIAC's website. There was a tally on the report about the amount of people who return back to their home countries and "loneliness" was one of the reasons cited. Australia hands out many visas a year, but just about the same number depart permanently.

The biggest group of migrants who depart Australia permanently are from the UK, followed by New Zealand.

Here, I found the link - check out the reason cited under, "Reasons for emigration":

Australian Immigration Fact Sheet 5. Emigration from Australia

 

[xabiaxica]

Stormgal,

On reading back I think my questioning of the report might have been too forensic in that I failed to take into account the sensitivities of those who its was about...for that I apologize.

My questions regarding the veracity of the report still stand.

Jaycee

it was based upon the answers to a survey conducted on this forum............

 

[Jayceee]

it was based upon the answers to a survey conducted on this forum............

If that's an assurance that no "push polling" was involved I accept the survey results.

 

[xabiaxica]

If that's an assurance that no "push polling" was involved I accept the survey results.

I have no idea what you're talking about :confused2:


what's 'push polling'?

if you look to the right of the page, there is often a poll there - usually a very simple multiple choice question, sometimes a more involved survey

 

[Jayceee]

I have no idea what you're talking about :confused2:

what's 'push polling'

Do you think motherhood is a good thing ?

 

[xabiaxica]

Do you think motherhood is a good thing ?

ask me on Sunday

my daughter is having a massive 'sweet 16' party tomorrow night

 

[Jayceee]

Ah well at least you're in control, one of mine is in in Afghanistan.

Sorry for that rather crude form of explanation of push polling