Perla Guarneros
“KNOCK AT AS MANY DOORS AS YOU NEED TO, ONE WILL OPEN AND YOU WILL THRIVE”
Perla Guarneros
Country of origin: Mexico
Occupation: Lecturer in Law at the Australian Catholic University
State of Residency: VIC
Favourite place in Australia: Lakes Entrance in Victoria
Upon arrival: Surprised by the quietness in public transport
Edited by Cristina Abela. Socials by Monica Espinosa.
Perla is a Mexican lawyer who loves socialising and meeting new people, she currently works as a Lecturer in law at the Australian Catholic University. She works in research projects focused on international law and human rights including the submission of policy papers to the United Nations on the enhancement of international participation of civil society groups in its proceedings. She was interviewed by SBS Spanish on the international responsibility of Russian authorities for the commission of international crime in Ukraine (April 2022). She has a beautiful family in Melbourne with her husband Abner and two boys.
TELL US YOUR STORY
Me and my husband arrived in Melbourne in January 2014. We both worked full-time in Mexico City. Our lives were full on, so we decided to take a gap year; however, we couldn’t afford it just as a holiday. He looked for job opportunities and I looked for scholarships. We chose Australia because we have some Australian friends who convinced us we had to visit this beautiful country. We already spoke the language and Australia had an interesting academic offer for me. It all made sense. I am a lawyer, and I was working at the federal government in Mexico. I got a government sponsorship through a program for the specialisation of federal employees, so I entered the Master’s of laws program at La Trobe University.
Arriving in Australia.
Our arrival in Australia was relatively easy. We were welcomed by one of our Aussie friends and her wonderful family, we were introduced to their friends, and we stayed in their house for few weeks. Then, we met another international student from Germany during orientation week who with we shared an apartment during our first year. Toward the end of our ‘one year’ stay in Melbourne we decided to have children and stay. The simplest way to do it was for me to enrol in a Doctorate program. I wanted to continue my academic preparation and my scholarship automatically extended for four years, the decision was easy. I started the PhD and we had our first son.
Doing the PhD with a newborn was not easy; however, I was lucky to have the support of friends. We couldn’t afford childcare so my son was in occasional care at a Leisure Centre, where I would work at the cafeteria. He’d come with me to university presentations and stay in friends’ houses so I could finish my thesis on time. I even managed to participate in competitions within the university, for which I won and represented La Trobe at the 3 Minute Thesis international competition in Queensland.
Perla and her husband Abner.
As soon as I finished my PhD, I started telling people I was looking for opportunities. I had the support of a fellow Latin American at Melbourne Polytechnic who offered me to teach a subject as a casual academic. Then, La Trobe’s Law School also made me an offer as a casual, which was ideal for me as I was pregnant with my second child. It took me 2 years and few job applications to get a full-time contract at a university. I started working at ACU in 2022 and I am now a continuing staff member.
I teach and research law. My area of expertise is international criminal law and international human rights law. Last year, with a team of researchers we presented a submission to the United Nations (UN) related to Australia’s lack of compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women. This has led to continuing research projects on non-governmental/civil society organisations participation in UN proceedings and the pursue of research grants for the improvement of the human rights of women in Australia, including migrant women. This is all work in progress, but I am very proud to be one of the leading researchers in the project.
CHALLENGES
Access to childcare - We were on a student visa, hence, we couldn’t access childcare rebate and paying a full fee was impossible, so I had to manage my studies with my child at home, at occasional care and rely (a lot) on my friends to find some time to work on my doctorate.
Access to work opportunities - Even though my Mexican law degree has been socially and academically respected, getting a job in this area was close to impossible. I searched for opportunities that did not require an Australian qualification as a lawyer (review of legal documents, legal analysis, etc.), so I had to look for a different pathway that would allow me to do legal stuff without requiring an Australian law degree. Being an academic lecturer was my chosen pathway.
Impostor’s syndrome - When you arrive in a first world country - coming from a developing one - it is very easy to mistakenly believe that people are better than you, either because they are native speakers, or because their degrees are from Australian universities. I had to change my attitude to believe that my capabilities have no geographical boundaries, that I DO speak English despite my accent and grammatical mistakes and that I do have a professional background and expertise that can compare.
CONTRASTS AND SIMMILARITIES
Perla receiving her PhD degree.
Social bookings - I like showing up at a friend’s house for a random visit. As a child, I used to knock at the neighbour’s house to see if their kids could come outside to play. I sometimes even organise a party on the same day via whatsapp. This is not common in Australia. Things, have to be organised and pre-booked weeks or months in advance. Even park visits are called play dates. I miss the spontaneity of Latin society.
Individualism - I am an extrovert. I like greeting and talking to people even if I don’t know them. It’s been a challenge for me to understand that people in Australia like their individualism. It is not common to engage in conversation with someone on the street. People are more respectful of the time and space of others, but I sometimes miss a casual chat in the store.
Focus on children - I have been very pleased by the special attention children receive here as they are taught early on about their right to their body and mind, a right to express their opinions and be free. They have a voice! This is a high contrast with the society I grew up in. Even now, when we go to Mexico, we realise that not everyone invites or welcomes my children’s opinions, which is disappointing for them, and me.
PIECE OF ADVICE
Be open - Arrive with an open mind to welcome things that are different. You’ll find that some things, even though not what you are used to, are good, and sometimes better (this applies to customs, food, society, etc.). Try new things. Meet new people, join different groups and enjoy the ride.
Get rid of the impostor’s syndrome - You are smart and brave (that’s why you are in the other side of the world). Trust your capabilities. Knock at as many doors as needed. One of them will open and you will thrive, but you need to be persistent and never, NEVER stop trusting yourself.
Breath - Life can be hard at times but you are living in a good place. This beautiful country has amazing things that you are yet to discover. Be patient, talk to someone, cry, let it out and then start again.
Perla teaching at the University
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Perla hopes her research project thrives and it can achieve positive results for women in Australia (specially migrant women). She wants to continue supporting the Latin American community. She will keep engaging in cultural events to grow the love of her children for our colourful, loud and amazing cultures.