Just ranting this out or maybe get some advice since I feel extremely dumb at my workplace right now.
Australia’s been my dream country and I was lucky to get a job there with only a year of professional experience after graduation. I thought that I’m a really competent worker, smart, and I feel like I stand out among my peers back in my home country. I prided myself not out of boast but a genuine appreciation of how I worked hard to get where I am now. But, four days in, I just feel really dumb and stupid. I thought my english was at least good enough but I can’t understand simple conversations ‘cause most have deep accents. I’m trying but it feels a bit degrading asking someone to repeat themselves twice or more. I feel like people are judging me and that maybe I do not deserve the opportunity I’ve been given. It’s too intimidating being the youngest and the shortest guy in the room and the only one who can’t keep up with everyone’s humor.
I’m supposed to be the smart one since I’m the engineer but it doesn’t seem so. I do know that this is just a case of imposter syndrome though and I hope everything will get better 🥹
The first week is always intense, new environment, new people, new job. I’ve also always been the youngest in every job I’ve held which does impact how you feel too!
I cry almost every time I change job cause I’m easily overwhelmed 😅
Hang in there! Australian accents can be really really thick, you’ll pick it up with time! Maybe watch local news and listen to local radio stations to try familiarise yourself with the way people speak there, if you’re still struggling after awhile, you can ask people to slow down a bit I’m sure nobody would mind. Australians speak fast!
Yes, listen to TV and Radio and repeat after them! Not too copy them but to get it to sink in to your brain.