Dr Rakesh Jivan BDS who is living in Maroochydore, Queensland
Graduating university:
Birmingham university
What made you consider coming out to Australia?
I came here for a visit 12 years ago and fell in love with it... I always promised myself I would come back.
What were you doing in the UK?
I owned my own private practice in the UK with 4 partners and 25 members of staff. My mind was consumed with business and dentistry and I was seeing 25-30 patients a day. It was a really successful business, but money didn't seem to count for much because I was exhausted all the time and I didn't have any time to do anything with the money. I was getting increasingly fed up with the situation and working in the UK.
In early 2010 I woke up and thought that I would rather have a really nice work-life balance than be working like a dog. I remembered the dream of moving to Australia and by February this year, I had sold the business and moved to the Sunshine Coast.
Where are you working now?
I am now working in the Sunshine Coast in a place called Pacific Paradise - 10 minutes drive up the Sunshine Highway from where I live in Cottontree, Maroochydore. Even the names of the places make me happy!
I am now an Associate Dentist working 4 days a week. I start work at 830 and finish at 4, have an hour for lunch and see 10 patients a day doing all aspects of dentistry, especially root canal work. Overall a pretty stress free working day!
What can you do that you couldn't do in the UK?
I get to see the sun rise every morning (I can see three beaches from my window!) and don't leave the house until ten minutes before I am due at work (no worries about traffic!). I only work 4 days a week, so effectively I get to enjoy my life. I am paddleboarding and kitesurfing in my spare time. The hinterland nearby is amazing, so I have taken up photography in a big way. I get to do all the good things that people who live by the sea get to do.
How did you find out about DJS?
I had seen the DJS ads in BDJ for years. The thought of coming out here was little more than a pipe dream, in the back of my mind.
What was the process like to move to Australia?
The things that scare you into doing these things are the paperwork, but these things were SO easy with DJS. People are so nervous about being ripped off, but you really can't underestimate the quality of life that is available here... Also, whatever DJS do, it is worth every cent for the change in lifestyle you can get. Simon and the team made it super easy- I couldn't have done it all without them!
I sorted out the job, bought a car and managed to find and rent an apartment all before I left. When I arrived, on the 11th of Feb, I picked up my car, my apartment was ready by the 15th (did I mention the amazing views) and I started work on the 22nd. Easy!
Tell us about what you get up to on the Sunshine Coast:
The coastal lifestyle has been a great start to my life in Australia...the community here has meant that I don't feel as lonely as you might in a big city. Actually, I have slotted right in- everyone here is so friendly! I have a great group of friends that I have just met out and about at the surf club and local deli- there are plenty of places to meet people.
On a Wednesday (my day off) I get up early to have a coffee, go down to the beach, have a paddleboard or a long walk. I would probably mess around at the beach for a few hours and then later go for a drive out to the hinterland, and go walking in the mountains.
It's funny, a lot of people's once-in-a-lifetime holiday is in my backyard! The Whitsundays, Noosa and the Great Barrier Reef are all pretty close. We drove up to the Whitsundays for a long weekend on an old sailing boat. We had the best time snorkeling and hanging out on the reef.
Overall it has been a great decision. I feel healthier than I ever did before.
What are your plans?
I have absolutely no plans whatsoever. I want to get permanent residency and continue to work to earn a wage so I can enjoy my life. I want to settle down and have a family, and I can't think of a better place to do that than right where I am. I want to have a nice peaceful life and just enjoy myself.
A few years back I had a 5 year plan, a 10 year plan with lists of things I had to achieve before I was 30 or 35 etc... the first three months I came to Australia I realized I don't need to have a plan - I can just flow and relax and I am loving it!
