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What a thrilling experience starting afresh can be, especially when you find yourself counting the days to the realisation of a dream and a new dawn! However, it is a totally different story when the change is sudden and you are caught off-balance. Merise first originated in 2011, a life-line borne from necessity to help ease the uncertainty of migration. What the Merise team may have lacked in experience, they certainly made up for with hard work and passion.

At the beginning of this year we made the difficult choice of starting 'over'- because we deemed our glossy magazine worthy of this upgrade. We are proud of the significant changes in our latest issue of Merise, which you are no doubt reading and I am sure that you will agree with me that Merise takes pride of place on the shelf!

As you may have perceived, the theme of this issue is 'starting over: We strongly identify with anyone who has had to start over- whether the fresh start be migration, a new job, a new baby or for any other reason. By reading Elbie van Coller's article on the various phases of migration, you come to realise that these phases apply to any major changes that may occur.

In your life and that in order to reach your end goal successfully, you need to persistently persevere. lf you continue moving in the right direction, you are sure to succeed. If you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask. There are always people who are willing and able to help you, even If it is merely to guide you in a different direction.

This issue is filled with interesting articles and stunning photos of the many places we choose to live and visit the magazine's expert advice helps us overcome our challenges and, as always, we have stylish fashion pages, delicious recipes and entertaining reading for everyone. Thank you to all for your contributions - we love hearing from you.

Until next time, happy reading!
Suzette van der Heijden

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.