Working in a new country: what does it feel like?

Albizia Akbar has joined us as our communications and marketing lead. He brings experience, vision and wide open eyes to the role 

Feeling welcomed in new organisation

“What  is it like to work in a different country?” I’ve always wondered that since I was a kid.

I grew up in a small village in the Purwakarta region, about three hours from Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta.  As a little boyI loved playing soccer but also reading books and writing stories. Those hobbies made me want to become a journalist, inspired by the words I read and the thought that my own stories might one day inspire others.

Little did I know that this early dream would eventually take me far from home, all the way to the land down under, Australia. 

Studying and working in Australia

My first exposure to Australia was in 2018, when I joined a youth exchange program organised by Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sport in collaboration with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. During that time I spent two months in Melbourne and Bendigo.

After returning from that amazing program, I continued my career in Indonesia  – first as a writer and then chief editor for one of the country’s biggest science communication media outlets, and later as a communications coordinator for an Australian Government program in Indonesia.

Then, just last year, I was fortunate to receive an Australia Awards Scholarship to pursue a Master of Marketing Communications at the University of Melbourne. During my studies, I started looking for opportunities to put my learning into practice through part-time work.

At first, it felt impossible. I come from a place where the culture is very different. English is my third language. And I had no full-time work experience in Australia.

That is why even the thought of applying for a job can feel daunting. I’m comfortable and confident in my skills, but coming from a developing country, there’s always that lingering fear of being overlooked, or worse, feeling invisible.

But when I found Groupwork Centre, something clicked. It felt like destiny. The organisation’s mission  – helping groups work well together and facilitating positive change  – deeply aligned with my personal belief in the freedom of information and using communication to improve people’s lives.

Therefore, knowing that I can contribute my storytelling skills to an organisation that holds the same values gives me the spark that gets me out of bed every morning. So, I prepared my pitch deck, polished my CV, wrote a cover letter and gave it a shot.

Joining Groupwork Centre

Long story short, I got  the job! After two amazing interviews and an assignment, I received the call; I had been accepted for the role! Hurray! Later, I found out that nearly 70 candidates had applied. Knowing that I was chosen among them was such an incredible feeling.

From my interviews, I learned that Groupwork Centre places strong emphasis on JEDI –    Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion  – as one of its strategic narratives. That immediately resonated with me because my academic goal is to learn and practise inclusive and accessible communication.

In my previous role, I was also introduced to GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion), so continuing this work at Groupwork Centre felt like a natural progression, as if one chapter of learning had seamlessly led to the next.

In the end, it felt like a perfect fit. I needed a place to put my skills into practice while also making a living here, and Groupwork Centre needed someone to help enhance their storytelling. I’m so glad we found each other, and I’m excited to be starting my role as the Communications and Marketing Lead at Groupwork Centre. 

Take a selfie with the team

Stepping into the learning zone

However, starting a new job  – especially in a new country  – always comes with a bit of fear for me. I’ve worried that I might not fit in with the team, that I might fail, that I fall short of expectations, or that I might not be the right person for the job.

But in my first few weeks at Groupwork Centre, I felt warmly welcomed and supported.

Everyone was generous with their time and knowledge. It felt so refreshing to be in an environment that encourages continuous learning. Life, I believe, is a cycle between the comfort zone, the learning zone, and sometimes, the panic zone. I’d say I’m firmly in the learning zone now, though occasionally it feels a bit like the panic zone too!

But being surrounded by experienced and kind facilitators makes me feel safe. I know I can always reach out for guidance when I face challenges or confusion along the way and I can confidently say they’re the best people to help with that.

I just hope I can do well here. Moving forward, I’m really excited to use my skills to tell Groupwork Centre’s vision, mission and values. I hope I can share more stories about who we are and what we do: our people, our short courses, our workshops and training, our communities – everything! And I guess the first step is to overcome the fear, step into the learning zone, and give my best in everything I do.

Anyway, it’s been an incredible start to my journey so far and I’m excited to share more stories in the chapters ahead.

See you in another post.