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He thought he was going to stay three years or maybe four at most but Pierre Lopez (who graduated the Grande École Program in 1999) is now entering his 12th year in Sydney, the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. The 17,000 km separating him from his homeland, and the ups and downs of family life as an expat, give him some perspective on an experience that has changed the course of his life, and also help answer the question that many ask: is the land Down Under really an El Dorado for adventurous souls from all over the world? Here’s what he thinks, in a fascinating, anecdote-filled account.

Pierre LOPEZ, what was the starting point for your Australian adventure in 2013?

I’d told myself that I wanted to move abroad, without specifically fixating on Australia. The opportunity arose at a seemingly innocuous lunch in December 2012, when my manager at the time suggested I move to Sydney to set up a team and shape a local Procurement office. My wife and I had just had our second child, but that didn’t stop us: the decision to leave was taken that very evening. Things then happened very quickly and we moved to Australia three months later.

Did the move go smoothly despite the short time you had to prepare?

My employer smoothed the way for our arrival by providing us with a temporary apartment and a car to get us started. This gave us a chance to get our bearings before embarking on the search for accommodation. As we browsed the adverts, we found ourselves fantasizing over photos of sumptuous residences, some with sea views, others with huge swimming pools. We were astonished at the surprisingly low prices, almost too good to be true. It took us a while to understand what the “pw” meant next to the rents. Rents are quoted per week, not per month, as we’re used to in France! This realization brought our property dreams crashing back down to earth!

At what point did you feel properly integrated?

Like many foreigners, it took us a while – around six months – to find our feet and build up a network of friends. The early days can be unsettling, especially in such a remote country, but you have to trust yourself and be patient. In a situation like this, the ties forged are often very strong: sharing the same daily life and the same problems creates a natural bond of solidarity between expatriates, but also with some locals. For example, for Australia Day, we had just met a Franco-Australian family, and they had no hesitation in inviting us to spend it with them. We became very close. This kind of ordinary but sincere gesture makes integration not only possible, but profoundly touching.

You’re going into your 12th year in Australia. Did you plan to stay this long?

Our initial plan was to leave after three to four years. The turning point came when our first visa expired. Our employer, SUEZ, offered to sponsor us for Permanent Residency. When we were presented with this opportunity to make our situation in Australia more secure, we took a decision instantly without a moment of hesitation. Since then, we’ve taken another major step by becoming Australian citizens in 2019.

With the benefit of hindsight, are there any particular differences between the french and australian work environments?

There certainly are, at least in my own experience. In Australia, staff turnover is much higher: for example, it’s not uncommon to re-hire someone who left the company a few years ago. The working atmosphere is also more relaxed, with a much less formal hierarchy than in big French companies. Another difference is the pace of work. The notion of work-life balance is particularly ingrained in the local culture. No-one is surprised to see a CEO saying goodbye to his colleagues at 4.30 pm before heading off to play golf.

What are the main advantages of the “australian way of life”?

One of the most pleasant aspects is undoubtedly the quality of life: the climate, the space, the fact that you are surrounded by nature and that you live outdoors most of the time, which is particularly appealing to children. Australians have a well-balanced lifestyle. They work hard, but leave plenty of time for leisure, friends and sport. Weekends often start as early as Friday afternoon, and you get the impression that time passes in a different, more relaxed way. In terms of education, we were pleasantly surprised: the children are flourishing, but under less pressure than in France, and are encouraged to develop both their creativity and their critical thinking. As for the culture, it’s open and cosmopolitan, even if it can sometimes feel a bit far removed from the variety of history and culture we’re used to in Europe.

Australia is regularly presented as an Eldorado and a land of opportunity. In your experience, what is the reality behind this claim?

It’s true that Australia is often idealized, perceived as a promised land offering a slower pace of life, openness and easy professional opportunities. My personal experience partially confirms this vision: it’s undeniably an incredible country where we’ve been able to raise our children in a beautiful, healthy and particularly safe environment. The job market is also very dynamic, enabling potentially faster career progression than in France, often accompanied by higher salaries. Australia appreciates competence and motivation, offering opportunities based on proven worth, sometimes regardless of age or initial qualifications. However, this image of El Dorado needs to be qualified, and there are several essential factors to consider before embarking on such a project…

What are they?

A feeling of geographical isolation: Australia is a long way from Europe. Getting back to France is costly, time-consuming and tiring, a particular challenge for those traveling with children. This distance can put a strain on family ties and friendships.
There’s an element of job insecurity: while the job market is dynamic, that also means less job security. Wage protection is minimal compared to the French system. You need to be mentally prepared for the possibility of losing your job and having to bounce back quickly, as the Australian state offers few social safety nets, especially for those who are not permanent residents.
Visa dependency: for many expats, their visa is directly linked to their job. Losing a job can lead to it being almost immediately revoked, leaving very little time to find a solution or having to leave the country. This is a significant source of stress.
The impact on retirement: for those who have already paid contributions in France, it is crucial to anticipate the extent to which expatriation to Australia will affect future retirement entitlements in the French system.

How do you envision the years ahead?

At the moment, we’re seriously thinking about a possible return to France. After more than 12 years in Australia, we feel the need to be closer to our family. Being so far away is sometimes difficult, especially when we can only visit France once a year. As time goes by, it becomes more and more of a burden. We’re lucky enough to be Australian citizens, which would make it easier for us to return, and would allow us to maintain a certain flexibility if we wanted to go back and forth. My son is planning to study in France and this obviously plays an important role in our thinking. It’s the first time since we left that this idea has figured so prominently in our family discussions…

What would you say to the Pierre who was leaving France in 2013 to fly out to Australia?

I’d tell him to go for it, but to be well-prepared. Australia is a wonderful country, dynamic, welcoming and full of opportunities. But like any expat posting, it requires a real period of adaptation – be it administrative, professional or cultural. It’s essential to find out about visas and the job market beforehand, and to adapt your CV and attitude to local expectations. Here, for example, networking is essential, and often plays more of a part in the decision than submitting an application. Beyond the work aspect, I think moving abroad is an incredibly fulfilling experience on a personal and family level. It forces you to get out of your comfort zone, reinvent your reference points and open up to others. As a family, it’s a bonding adventure. You share the same challenges, the same discoveries, and create unique, often powerful memories. As for the children, they develop a real capacity to adapt, an open-mindedness and a cultural diversity that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

This article was written by Luna Créations for #IÉS, the IÉSEG Network magazine. Read here all the articles of #IES.