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Oksana Koriakova: From Armed Robbery to a New Life in Australia

Oksana Koriakova recounts preparing to travel to Australia for a six month English course when three armed men broke into her home, assaulted her and her mother, and stole bundles of money she was taking for the trip; police arrived, her mother was treated at hospital, and despite the criminal case (two robbers later receiving eight year sentences), she secured tickets to Moscow and flew on to Sydney, arriving on 13 September. She describes the first six months as the hardest of her life, homesick, broke, with little English, using dictionaries, post it notes, and living with Australians to learn. After planning to return home, a conversation led her to an immigration lawyer, permanent residency, and starting businesses, including an award winning corporate gifts company, followed by a second company she has run for 21 years, crediting Australia for the life she created.

00:00 Armed Robbery Shock
00:10 Podcast Series Intro
00:51 Bon Voyage Morning
02:27 Masked Men Break In
04:24 Aftermath And Hospital
05:41 Fighting To Fly Out
06:41 Goodbye To Dad
07:11 Landing In Sydney
08:32 Hardest Six Months
09:17 Learning English Hacks
10:29 Avoiding Russian Bubble
11:54 Funny English Mistakes
12:36 Decision To Stay
13:56 Starting A Business
15:11 Success And Gratitude
15:48 Closing Quote