Ligia, from Fonseca in Colombia’s La Guajira region, had been in Australia for six years when she gave her 2018 interview. Her account connects learning English, independence and settling into Melbourne. When discussing Nómadas, she highlights being able to ask questions and find approachable people far from home.
In this story · View contents
- Origin
- Colombia
- Destination
- Melbourne, Australia
- Topic
- English, adjustment and support
- Original video
- April 2018
Original Spanish quotation«son amigos más que asesores»
Ligia Ochoa · Original interview in Spanish
The beginning was harder than it looked
Ligia wanted independence and an experience in another country. She first considered Canada, then chose Australia. Melbourne’s diversity and events appealed to her, but arriving brought difficulties: everyday English, accents and expressions took adjustment. She also describes the loneliness of not yet having a local network.
What she valued about Nómadas
Her assessment of the agency connects with that difficult start. Ligia describes walking into the office and finding people willing to listen. Being able to ask small questions and feeling that the team followed how things were going mattered to her. Her testimonial identifies approachability and availability as concrete parts of the relationship.
Confidence in English developed gradually
Ligia estimates that it took about a year and a half to feel more comfortable in conversation. She noticed changes when understanding conversations on transport, watching series and no longer translating every sentence mentally. Spending time with people from different countries helped her practise while keeping friendships with Spanish speakers. That is her own timeline, not a forecast for another student.
Work and quality of life in the 2018 context
Ligia mentions experience in cleaning, entertainment and hospitality. At the time, she was a waitress in an Italian restaurant. She valued being able to support herself and enjoy the city, while acknowledging that jobs and circumstances varied. The video records that chapter; it does not establish current wages, vacancies or conditions.
Prepare for your experience
Turn what interests you in this story into questions for your own plans. These editorial suggestions can help you prepare a conversation with a guide.
- Define the support you needWrite down questions about language, your course and arrival.
- Ask for specific examplesAsk who will support you and what the service includes.
- Check your proposalLook up the course and institution in the official CRICOS register.
What support do you need?
Tell us what you want to study, which destination interests you and what you would like to ask. The button takes you to the Nómadas contact form.
Talk to NómadasNómadas guidance is free for students. Tuition, insurance, fees and other third-party costs are quoted separately.
Questions about this story
Why does Ligia recommend Nómadas?
She values approachable support, being able to ask questions and feeling followed up with during her experience. That is her personal assessment in the 2018 video.
When was the story published?
04/04/2018. This adaptation is dated October 2026, but does not present historical circumstances as current.
Is this a full video transcript?
No. It is an editorial selection of points useful for understanding the experience, with access to the original source.
Can I expect the same outcome?
Every person has different circumstances and goals. The story does not guarantee employment, a visa, earnings, fluency or residency.
How can I compare agency support?
Ask who supports you, through which channel, at what times and what is included. Use details from the stories to frame questions rather than replace your proposal.
How can I talk to Nómadas?
Use the contact form and share your destination, goals and planning stage. The form starts a conversation; it does not issue a visa, job offer or instant quote.
Watch the original interview
This is a selection of relevant themes from the account. Compare them with the full Spanish-language video on our channel.
Sources and context for this story
Editorial summary of an interview published by Nómadas Experience on 4 April 2018. Years of residence, jobs and circumstances refer to that time; this is not an update on her current situation.
Selected and adapted in writing: 15 October 2026. The video date identifies when the experience was described.- Ligia · Original interview in Spanish · Nómadas Experience
- Study Australia · Accessed: 15 October 2026.
- Additional official resource · Accessed: 15 October 2026.
To explore other paths, read Gastón in Australia: from marketing to kitchen work and Vicente: a Chilean engineer’s experience in Australia. Each account offers a different perspective to help you prepare your own questions.
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