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 🥹
I’m an Aussie in the US, it was hard work to begin with despite my familiarity with American accents. You gradually learn to understand people and figure out the unspoken cultural stuff. You’ll get there!
Try watching Aussie tv, even with subtitles on, so you learn more of the patterns and pronunciations.
If you get on with your manager or make a decent mate at work, I’d talk to them about it (not ‘OMG IM OVERWHELMED’ but ‘haha it’s really something getting used to Aussie accents!’). Aussies absolutely love talking about themselves/their culture so you can always ask people friendly stuff ‘hey what do you reckon are the top 3 things I should know, what’re your favourite Aussie sayings to use’ etc and you’ll pick things up.