Stranded in Australia: Germans find “adoptive mother” in great need

2020 was supposed to be her year of travel, then the Corona pandemic Michelle Kulig put a spanner in the works. Like numerous other backpackers from Germany and around the world, she was stranded in Australia. No jobs, no return flights, instead the money ran out for accommodation. The then 24-year-old finds help in the "Adopt a Backpacker" initiative.

Michelle Kulig is looking forward to a year of adventure and carefree travel. Together with her boyfriend Kevin from France, the 25-year-old from the Rheingau wants to discover Australia. "2020 should be my year of travel," she tells VIP News. Then came the bushfires, then Corona. Michelle and Kevin lose their jobs, she as a waitress, he at an event company. The two are stuck in a hostel in Perth, on the southwestern coast of Australia.

They are considering canceling the trip and flying back to Germany. But a flight costs around 5000 euros – and is often fully booked. "I thought: Oh God, we will never get out of here," recalls Michelle.

Your savings have almost been used up, the typical job contact points for backpackers – restaurants, cafes, farms or event companies – are closed. Signs everywhere: "No work available".

"Adopt a Backpacker": Australians accept stranded travelers

The two of them become aware of the Facebook group "Adopt a Backpacker" through a friend. The site connects travelers with locals who offer accommodation – free of charge or in exchange for a maximum of three hours of work.

The site was founded by Miguel Fuentes and Nikki De Weerd, also former backpackers, when the corona pandemic exploded worldwide in March. Countries closed their borders and flights were canceled. "Most of our friends are backpackers and have lost their jobs," tell the two FOCUS Online.

After the emotional farewell of a friend at the airport, they finally came up with the idea: That same night they founded the Facebook page for Western Australia, meanwhile there is "Adopt a Backpacker" in all Australian states. Plus in New Zealand and Canada.

Fuentes himself came from the Philippines four years ago as a backpacker and now works as a nurse in Perth. De Weerd also entered the Netherlands with the "Working Holiday" visa a year and a half ago. The psychologist studied today works with children in need.

Australia is a mecca for backpackers: 25,000 Germans a year

Australia is the most popular travel destination for backpackers. Good weather, wonderful nature, a relaxed lifestyle and English as the official language attract a number of "work and travelers" every year. Australia issues a so-called work visa for vacationers to around 150,000 foreigners every year.

There are an estimated 25,000 Germans among them. Many work in the hospitality industry or on farms. Because they are willing to take on the sometimes poorly paid jobs, the backpackers also play an important role for the economy in Australia.

But the corona pandemic puts an end to this: there is no contact, travelers are asked to travel back to their home countries. However, numerous flights are canceled or are so expensive that backpackers in particular cannot afford them. More and more young travelers are stuck. Thousands of kilometers away from home.

Michelle and Kevin are "adopted" by the Miller family

Like Michelle and Kevin. You finally write a post on "Adopt a Backpacker". Looking for accommodation, offer support in the household, garden, with the children. To do this, they post a photo of themselves.

Numerous answers come quickly – including that of the Miller family from Bridgetown, a small western Australian town about three hours south of Perth.

"I felt good right away," recalls Michelle. When asked when they could come, her future host mother replied: "Whenever you want."

A few days later, they move into the granny flat on the farm of Johanna and David Miller and their three children. "We felt like we were part of the family," says Michelle.

After two weeks of quarantine, they provide household chores, clean the dishwasher, clean, help the children with their homework, and teach them German and French. Kevin helps a lot in the garden, repairs the roof, helps paint the house. The connection is getting closer.

Nevertheless, after two and a half months, Michelle makes the difficult decision to go back to Germany. She doesn't want to be on Millers' pocket forever, and there's no job in sight.

"Everyone has to decide for themselves," she says. But she always wanted to travel and would rather come back if she can discover more of Australia.

"Happy that it happened, how it happened"

Still, she wouldn't want to trade the experience. "Without Corona, I would never have grown so close to Kevin, the people in the hostel and the Millers." While the backpackers usually stay together, Michelle and Kevin had the opportunity to get to know the true "Australian lifestyle" – "the food, the TV shows, the great humor".

The decision to go is not easy for her, and the flight is also very expensive. "It wouldn't have been possible without my parents' financial support," she says. Meanwhile Michelle is back home.

Michelle and host mother Johanna are in regular contact. The Millers plan to visit Michelle in Germany next year. In an emotional farewell post, Johanna writes: "Goodbye MY German daughter! I haven't cried so much in a long time. I knew we couldn't keep my backpackers, but I never thought that the relationship would be so close in just nine weeks. " Kevin stayed in Australia, he still lives with the Millers.

Corona loosening: situation for backpackers still difficult

Even if the corona restrictions in Australia are slowly being relaxed, the situation for backpackers remains difficult.

Many Australians have lost their jobs as a result of the corona pandemic, and "understandably local businesses are now primarily hiring locals," explains Fuentes.

Fuentes and De Reed are now working on the project in a team of four for around six to eight hours a day – in addition to their full-time jobs. So far, they have not earned a penny from it.

But: "We really want to help young travelers so that they are safe during the pandemic." The two are currently working on an interactive website (previously only pre-registrations) and an app that is intended to show travelers, backpackers and international students free accommodation from locals.

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