Read or listen to Diana Olivera’s full oral history. Original interview in Spanish. An English translation is also available.
I am studying to be a primary school teacher at university [in Australia], and I work nights as a waitress at an Italian restaurant here close by home. We all earn income and contribute our income in my home.
I think the hardest thing was coming to another country that doesn’t speak Spanish.
I have noticed that Australia has a totally different culture, and the people are not as friendly as they are back home. I really miss my family and my friends. Here I have friends, but they are not…and it’s not friends if you know what I’m trying to say, the same type of friendship like I had back in Uruguay. The people there seem more genuine, and you or they could come to a house unannounced and here in Australia you can’t really do that.