01/11/2025
π£ Is Australia Really the Only Future? π§πΉπ¦πΊ
π£οΈ A Conversation with a Bhutanese Educator
Q1: Why are Bhutanese families drawn to Australia?
A: Australia represents opportunity, exposure, and global credentials. But we must askβat what cost, and for what kind of future?
Q2: Is it realistic for parents over 35 to study and settle there?
A: Not easily. Visa pathways are narrowing. Tuition and living costs are high. Health insurance is mandatory, but one illness can derail a familyβs finances.
Q3: What kind of jobs do Bhutanese often end up doing in Australia?
A: Many work in cleaning, aged care, hospitality, or deliveryβoften while studying. These jobs are honest but physically demanding and emotionally draining.
Q4: Isnβt it better to earn abroad and secure the childβs future?
A: That depends on how we define βsecure.β If it means debt, visa stress, and emotional strain, then itβs worth asking: are we building a future or surviving a system?
Q5: What can the future look like if we stay in Bhutan?
A: Stability. Purpose. Time with family. Respect in our profession. Free healthcare. A safe environment for children. And the ability to save without sacrificing wellbeing.
Q6: What does Bhutan offer that Australia canβt?
A: Belonging. Cultural identity. Emotional grounding. A slower, saner pace of life. And the chance to grow without losing oneself.
Q7: Is Bhutanβs education system enough for children?
A: Yes. Itβs evolving, values-based, and emotionally intelligent. Children raised here learn gratitude, resilience, and clarityβqualities that serve them anywhere.
Q8: What about global exposure and career options?
A: Exposure can come laterβthrough exchange programs, scholarships, or online learning. What matters most now is emotional security and cultural roots.
Q9: Do we underestimate Bhutanβs strengths?
A: Often. We romanticize foreign systems and overlook our own. Bhutanβs strength lies in compassion, community, and balance. These are timeless foundations.
Q10: Is staying in Bhutan a form of giving up?
A: Not at all. Staying is a conscious choice to grow where weβre rooted. Teachers are respected. Families are supported. Children are safe.
Q11: What are the risks of chasing migration through education?
A: Financial strain, visa rejection, emotional dislocation, and the possibility of working jobs that donβt match oneβs qualifications or dignity.
Q12: How does Bhutan support family wellbeing?
A: Through free healthcare, community support, low crime rates, and a culture that values presence over performance.
Q13: What happens when families fall sick abroad?
A: Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs can be overwhelming. In Bhutan, healthcare is accessible and community-based.
Q14: What would you say to families torn between staying and going?
A: Ask what kind of future you truly want. Is it rooted in values, presence, and purposeβor driven by fear and comparison?
Q15: Final thoughts?
A: Australia offers opportunity. Bhutan offers belonging. The best future isnβt always found by leavingβitβs often shaped by staying, growing, and choosing with clarity.
π¬ Letβs reflect before we rush. Staying isnβt giving upβitβs choosing to grow where weβre already planted. π±
