Migrating to Australia: good meh???
The book does provide some valuable arguments and thoughts, and could be a light read for those Malaysian dwelling with the idea of migrating to Australia.
BOOK REVIEW
‘Migrating to Australia: good meh???’ by Ken Soong and Michael Soong attempt to dissect the intricacies associated with general perceptions among hopeful migrants to Australia. The authors cover wide ranging subject matter in this rather short book that would suit to be more of an idiot’s guide or coffee table companion. From simplified economics to the darker side of Australia is laid for the readers to make some or little good in taking the first step towards making Australia a home.
Ken and Michael are brothers who obtained their tertiary education in Australia in the 1990s and are currently in the teaching profession there. Having migrated in the heat of the era, they share their inner thoughts, bitter sweet experience, and observations made.
This book has a continuous relevance in perspective of time as the lure towards Australia is always present in the minds of many potential migrants from Malaysia and other parts regardless of their profession, age or background. Nevertheless readers must keep in mind that the goal post for migrating into the kangaroo land some how changes position along political tides; and requirements are rather getting more sticky and critical in demand for all categories of migrants.
On this aspect this book does provide the relevant websites as an escape clause in the event the rules change and are not in sync with its content. Many of these website can be easily Googled up with not much effort though.
The authors tried being as updated as possible but then again socio-economic and political landscape of Australia is in a phase of rapid development. Though their style and expressions have been rather non-committal but there is a tendency to be tinged with pre-judgments on certain issues especially those related to finances and job possibilities. No doubt they are quite witty and cynical in revealing some hard facts about taking advantage of the Australian migrating policies but fall short of being detailed.
From a birds view, this book strives to make a neutral stand as much as possible on all matters and radiates a feeling they do not want to step on the wrong toes.
‘Migrating to Australia: good meh???’ tries to make the first impression impact-full as much possible in the first chapter by evaluating if indeed a western culture is better than ours. Some direct comparisons are made for example in language and the different myths associated with western culture but then again in a super charged globalised world it may not mean much for a migrant.
In the proceeding chapters the book generally debates the various aspects that a person needs to self evaluate all the pros and cons before marching into a migration consultancy firm. Choosing the right schools, neighbourhood, area to live in, taxation system, business environment, education system and many other idiosyncrasies are net into their discussions, some in depth but some merely touched on surface.
The larger part of this book was rather academic and monotonous in dishing out quotes and references. Well, coming from academics, it is no surprise but then again there were many ambiguities and self countering arguments made by the writers.
There were occasions they had to justify as not steering out of sync with the objectives of the book and yet more often than not they did so in jest.
It is difficult not to like the authors per se with their modest and unpretentious style of writing but there are weaknesses in the book. It its endeavour to cast too wide of a net, the authors remain undecided to drill any firm points despite the title with a triple question mark; indicating and implying a strongly opinionated piece at the first impression to a reader.
In questioning the migrating ‘minds’, the writers have in essence possibly projected an image of sour grapes for themselves. There is definitely this remote possibility after reading the entire book.
Nevertheless, the book does provide some valuable arguments and thoughts, and could be a light read for those Malaysian dwelling with the idea of migrating to Australia.
Ken Soong and Michael Soong, published by Gerakbudaya Enterprise, No 11, Lorong 11/4E, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, www.gerakbudaya.com, 2013. ISBN 978-983-2344-18-6. RM 25.
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