Dr Alexandra Radu BDS (Romania), Torquay, VIC

What made you come out to Australia?

There were a number of factors leading to my wanting to come out to Australia. The weather was a big one.

Out of the blue, I saw an ad saying that Australia needs dentists. I had seen some pictures of Australia looking like paradise and thought I would follow it up.

The process for a Romanian dentist to come and work in Australia takes a number of years, as there are a number of exams, one of which I had to fly out to Australia to complete. (this is not the case for UK qualified dentists). The exams were stressful at the time because they were so important and life-defining to me but they were not very difficult.

As soon as I had passed all my exams, I contacted DJS and we started organizing my visa and work options. I was in Australia working within 2 months from passing my exams.

The 457 Work visa allowed me to bring my husband with me. He is a dental technician and found work almost straight away. We both love it here.

How does the practice of dentistry differ in Romania?

In Romania, as with Australia, most of the dentistry is private. However in Romania the culture of dentistry is quite different. In Romania you grow up to implicitly trust and accept what your dentist and doctor says. In Australia, the patients are more discerning.

In Romania, you would see a large number of patients each day- up to 15-25. In Australia, you will only see about 10-15 maximum so it is a much more relaxing experience.

How did you decide where to live?

I wanted to live by the sea. When DJS advertised a job in Torquay, Victoria I applied, was offered and took the position. I have been here since August 2009 and I think it was the best choice I ever made.

What is life in Torquay like?

Having come from a cooler climate where most time is spent indoors keeping warm, I am not really an outdoor person, but am trying to get into the healthier way of living here. There are lots of outdoor options for me here in Torquay to choose from including running, taking long walks along the beach etc.

Any plans for the future?

We now have permanent residence in Australia. We are really loving it here. It is the best decision I ever made.