In this issue

THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS

We constantly find ourselves in situations over which we have no control. We are however always able to choose how to deal with a scenario.

When a jar of jam falls from the fridge as you open the door first thing in the morning, and jam and glass splatter in all directions, there is a brief moment in which to decide how to react. If you perceive the cause to be incidental, you will probably take five minutes to clear the mess, and get on with your day. If you loudly blame everybody in the house and are angry with the world in general, your day will begin on a wrong footing. In all likelihood, you will be upset for most of the day.

Migration is not easy. You can however choose how to deal with the transition. In this issue we talk to inspiring women who overcame the trauma of migration and now make positive contributions to their communities. Success does not happen overnight. Most of us are eventually rewarded for persistent effort.

Children experience migration in different ways. A UNICEF study of migrant families in affluent countries such as Australia found that one third of the child population of Australia are from migrant parents. These children usually live with parents who have university degrees, and more than half of these children’s mothers actively participate in the workplace.

Successful migration is measured by the extent to which you become integrated in your new community. What course of events should you expect if your daughter succumbs to Australian charm and pending marriage?

One of the best experiences of migration is the ability to discover your new country. Thank you to the readers who
share their unique experiences with Merise.

This issue of Merise has been lovingly created by the Merise team. We hope that you will enjoy our articles, and that today, and each subsequent day, will be that much more precious with Merise in your life.

Thank you for your company.
Suzette

Merise Magazine Description:

Merise is a digital family magazine initiated in 2011 to encourage and assist others, as well as to offer advice in facing the challenges of settling and integrating into our new community together. We talk openly about the different aspects of our lives that are under strain through the migration process – from helping our kids adjust to their new school environments, to leaving our parents behind and to changes in the dynamics of our personal relationships.

We provide valuable information about financial and visa requirements, encouraging specialists in various fields to submit articles on topics which we feel may be beneficial to our readers. Merise captures the beauty of our new countries by featuring different geographical areas in Australia and New Zealand, thereby giving would-be migrants or readers who are planning holidays or an interstate move, a better understanding of what to expect in their new domain.

Merise will become a friend to you and your family.

The ascending aircraft in the Logo is symbolic of our desire to reach for the stars. Even the name itself has meaning. By dividing the word ‘Merise e’ in two, it becomes ‘Me rise ’, accentuating our aspiration for life improvement. Merise embodies support and friendship and is such an essence in our lives that we feel inclined to personify the magazine. Merise is who we are.

It is important for Merise to support ‘her’ friends, not merely those who have recently arrived, but all expats in Australia and New Zealand who have left their home countries to find new direction ‘Down Under’.

Merise lends a hand in almost every way. Like anyone who has been through the immigration process and experienced it first hand, Merise is thoroughly aware of difficulties that may arise for both newcomers as well as experienced expats and knows how to help overcome, or should we say “survive”, these difficulties.

Merise explores different avenues and is vivacious and enthusiastic, living life to the full and is always on the lookout for new challenges and encounters. Merise's experiences and pleasures are shared with her friends, always encouraging and inspiring them.

Merise is fully bilingual and has English- as well as Afrikaans-speaking readers with whom time and information is equally shared.

It’s not that easy to find a friend as special as Merise . . .

Both versions of the English and Afrikaans editions of Merise are available on www.merisemag.com.