Tamara Ortegón Ceballos
“There are going to be countless obstacles, it does not matter if you are in Australia or your homeland, but by facing them and overcoming them you will grow”
Tamara Ortegón
Country of Origin: Colombia
Occupation: Environmental Coordinator – West Gate Tunnel Project.
State of residency: Victoria.
Favourite place in Australia: Melbourne’s inner north.
Upon arrival: Surprised by the accessibility and efficiency of the Public Transport.
Edited by Zoe Gleeson. Socials by Juan Camilo.
Tamara Ortegón Ceballos is a Colombian migrant woman with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering. She is currently working as an Environmental Coordinator at Transurban as part of the West Gate Tunnel Project team, one of the biggest road upgrades undergoing in Victoria at the moment. She has been living in Australia for the last seven years, always in Melbourne and has been an integral member of the Latin Stories team.
TELL US YOUR STORY
It was May 2015 and I was living what I thought was a great life. I had the job of my dreams; I was healthy and happy. One day I was made redundant from my job and although it was a big shock, somehow, I felt I was free to go on some adventures. I came to Melbourne in February 2016 to study English for 10 months and to be as far from home as possible. Among many other reasons, I picked Australia for my adventure because during my research I found that I would be allowed to work while on a Student Visa. That was a big deal for me because my budget was limited, and I had just enough to cover my expenses for a couple of months once in Australia.
While preparing everything for my trip, a friend introduced me to a Colombian family based in Melbourne. They took me in when I first arrived, and I lived with them for the first year. I will be forever grateful for their kindness and support when I felt so vulnerable and fragile. It took me almost two months to get my first job and it was as a Cleaner at the State Library Victoria. Although the job was tough, as previously I had just worked as an Engineer, the place was exquisite and the team was fun to work with, making my experience more pleasant.
I missed my home and family in Colombia dearly but at the same time, I did not want to go back. Given my indecision, I thought it was wiser to just stay here until I was more certain of my next steps. I enrolled myself on a Project Management course that lasted 2 years. During that time, I did all sorts of jobs including Housekeeping, Personal Carer, babysitting and Kitchen Hand. Additionally, I got my Engineering qualifications accredited in Australia as part of my plan to land a professional job. Despite having everything ready for that, I could not find the energy or the discipline to focus on that pursuit. I would feel very frustrated to see other people in similar conditions getting professional jobs while I was still doing casual jobs. Personally, this was part of the many great lessons that life in Australia has taught me, to accept and honour who I am and my journey. Besides, we all see the world through different lenses and have different needs, and that is okay.
In April 2020, while the pandemic was ramping up, my now partner Paul and I moved in together after just 2 weeks of dating. We had found the kind of love we had dreamt of our entire lives. However, I was diagnosed with breast cancer just after six months into the relationship. Within 8 months I had two surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation. It was the scariest time of my life, nevertheless, it was the unconditional love, care and support from my family, partner, friends, and the hospital staff that kept me going during the treatment and saved my life.
Fortunately, the treatment was successful, and I am extremely thankful for that. However, the footprint it left in my body and soul was profound. It took me a while to recover and get back on my feet with my life plans. Last year, after a nice, long, refreshing holiday in Colombia with my family, I returned determined to make the most of the second chance I was given. In September 2022 I got my first professional job in Australia at Transurban as part of the team delivering the construction of the West Gate Tunnel Project. It has been an enriching experience not just on a professional level but also on a personal level, for it has allowed me to experience the Australian culture in a new space, to feel incredibly proud of being a migrant and my background, and to contribute to the Australian society through my skills and knowledge.
CHALLENGES
Being away from family - I come from a large and very close family and up to when I came to Australia, they were a fundamental part of my life. And they still are, but just in a different way because now the connection is mostly virtual. Nonetheless, celebrating births, grief and loss, dealing with sickness, and seeing my parents growing old and not being there for them, have been some of the most challenging situations during this migration journey.
Finding a professional job - Job hunting is another level in Australia and learning the way to do it properly is critical. It took me a long time to understand the Australian market and learn to do a resume and cover letter. I worked hard to prepare for interviews and overcome my fear and insecurities about negotiating my salary.
Facing illness - Cancer treatment can save your life but also it is tough on the body. Once I started the treatment life changed rapidly, I had to let go of my old self and it was not fun at all. With time you learn to embrace all these changes and enjoy the new self. Additionally, when I was diagnosed, we were right in the middle of the pandemic and therefore my parents could not come to Australia to support me.
CONTRASTS & Simmilarities
Opportunities - Fair go is a core Australian value and regardless of a person´s background, if you are willing to work hard, everyone has the chance to improve their quality of life. It does not mean it is going to be easy and there won’t be challenges, but if you put your heart and soul into it, you will get there.
Crime rate - Sadly, back home the crime rate is very high, especially when it comes to violence against women. The sense of safety that I experience in Melbourne is priceless and one of the reasons why I am still here. Being able to walk on the street late during the night or going partying and not panicking about someone spiking your drink. Nevertheless, I am always extra careful and avoid circumstances or places that make me feel unsafe. In Colombia, we develop a sense of alertness and caution that keep us alive, and it will be part of me forever.
Family relations - Most Colombians tend to be family-oriented, meaning family is everything. We put our loved ones at the core of our priorities, get our strength from and lean on them when making critical decisions. Australian culture is more individual-oriented, and people are committed to their individual needs and goals. You will have to evolve and adapt your expectations around this dynamic. In doing so, I have learned to embrace the positives of both, whilst recognising that some of the differences will be always challenging.
PIECE OF ADVICE
Prioritize your English proficiency - To build a life in Australia and successfully integrate yourself into this society, you will require a good level of English. It will open doors and opportunities for you that you are not even expecting.
Find your tribe - Community is essential and being able to surround yourself with people who can be a supportive force in your life, will give you the strength, courage and resilience to carry on in difficult times and celebrate your achievements.
Embrace the challenges - There are going to be countless obstacles, it does not matter if you are in Australia or your homeland, but by facing them and overcoming them you will grow.
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS…
Tamara says she has never been good at planning for the long term but in the next 5 years, she can see herself living in Melbourne with her beloved Paul and strengthening their community, keeping healthy and fit, getting her Australian citizenship, continuing working on the environmental and sustainability field, and working on community development projects
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With love and gratitude - Latin Stories Australia team