Six months ago, Renate (29) moved to Australia with her boyfriend. ’I like to travel, and during and alongside my studies in Business Administration in Groningen and Strategic Management in Rotterdam, I spent extended periods of time in abroad. And I wanted more of that,’ she says enthusiastically. ‘After five years at Deloitte Netherlands, we considered different options and ended up with Australia. This country has a similar work culture as the Netherlands, my field of work has a similar maturity level and Sydney is a great city. It has the same vibrant vibe as New York, but with a beach nearby and a nature park just an hour away. So, the choice was easy.’

The right fit In the Netherlands, Renate worked in Deloitte's Business Model Transformation (BMT) team. ‘During my master's degree, I participated as a student in the Deloitte Business Course in Barcelona. It was the perfect opportunity for me to assess if consulting and Deloitte were the right fit for me. I immediately felt at home, with the people but also work-wise. After completing an MBA program in Shanghai, I joined BMT. A very interesting field of work. How do all parts of an organization work together to realize its strategy? From products and channels to the people and technology. What does it take to make the transition? I have worked for all kinds of different clients in all kinds of industries. The work is broad, diverse, and challenging. So, in Australia, I was keen to stay in the same field of work.’

On the other side of the world After making up her mind, Renate told her team about the plans to go to Australia. ‘Coincidentally, one of the partners in the team had worked in Sydney for some time. He made the first contact with a partner there and together we decided that Monitor Deloitte Australia would suit me best. Of course, I still had to do a few interviews. But fortunately, they went well,’ Renate laughs. Meanwhile, she has been working on the other side of the world for six months now. ‘I advise clients here in the areas of strategy, business design and transformations - for instance, in the field of climate and sustainability topics. These clients can be governments and non-profit organizations, but also more traditional corporates. For example, I have worked with Australian and Indian government agencies, where we helped them set up a bilateral innovation program for Australian and Indian start-ups. Currently, I am working on a strategy project for a non-profit healthcare organization. My role is similar to my work in the Netherlands, but the market is different. Australia has a more national focus, while projects in the Netherlands are often more European or globally focused. But both teams are very international, with many expats.’

Surfboard under the arm ‘The stereotypical image of an Australian heading to work in flip-flops with a surfboard under the arm is far from accurate,’ Renate said. ‘Australians work hard. But outside of work, the vibe is always very relaxed. There are many outdoor gatherings, and we celebrate birthdays with a barbecue, or a 'barbie', in the park or at the beach. A lifestyle we are very comfortable with.’ Renate is not thinking of going back to the Netherlands any time soon. ‘Of course, it took quite some time to settle down. Arranging all the practical things besides a new job in a new country is not easy. But by now I feel right at home here. Everyone at Deloitte is so helpful, both in Australia and in the Netherlands. Taking initiative and being proactive opens numerous possibilities. How great is it to have the opportunity to work on the other side of the world for the same company? That's the great advantage of a global organization like Deloitte.’

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