IT takes courage to move to another culture, and determination to learn another language at 16 years of age.

In April 2022, Tomoki (Tom) Fletcher did just that and moved from Fukuoka, Japan (where he lived with his mother and younger brother) to Australia to live with his dad.

Tom said he was really nervous to come to Australia, “My mum couldn’t come with me (on the flight) because of the COVID situation.”

When he first arrived in Australia, he was blown away with how big the country was.

This feeling intensified while travelling from Brisbane to Hamilton, he put the location in on Google Maps and it showed up as 27 hours away.

“I couldn’t believe it - for me, a long drive was 30 minutes,” Tom said.

“In Japan if we want to travel (longer distances), we would take a bullet train or a domestic flight.”

Tom said he never expected to enjoy life in another country so easily, but was pleasantly surprised.

“I really like this country’s laidback way,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying Australia and living with my dad - it’s only him and I and the two dogs - it’s really easy going.”

Tom said his favourite Australian food was “the meat pie - we don’t have it in Japan, and I really, really love it”.

“My nanna makes a beef stroganoff - I love that too,” he said.

“My mum’s cooking is absolutely delicious - she is the best cook I know, and I miss her fried rice.”

Moving to a new country has opened new opportunities for Tom, but also a language barrier.

“We only did basic English lessons at school - It was not the level we could use in daily conversations,” he said.

“I have so much I want to say, but can’t because of my English.

“In Japan, I’d be talking all the time, and my friends would be like ‘come on Tom, you’re talking too much’” he laughed.

“I can understand most of the things people are saying, but I can’t always explain what I’m feeling.

“I need to learn more (English) words to describe the situation accurately.”

When Tom first came to Australia, he never expected to get a job at his age - “In my mind you didn’t get a job until after school.”

“In Japan you go to school and then after university you begin working,” he said.

“One day my dad (said), ‘hey Tom, why don’t you start working?’

“I was like, ‘ok.’

“I was really nervous because working comes with responsibility and I (thought), ‘what if I fail because I can’t understand what they’re saying or because I can’t communicate with the customers?’”

His dad encouraged him to get a job at McDonald’s.

After starting his new job, he found both the customers and his co-workers very welcoming and patient.

Tom has cycled his bike to work each day and grown into his role, gaining a reputation as a superb barista.

A familiar face amongst the customers, Tom has enjoyed chatting with the regulars and has known their coffee orders by heart.

He also loves reading and playing the flute and has been optimistic about his future.

“I might become a translator or tour guide, or maybe I’ll become a professional barista,” he said.

It’s been a long journey for Tom, but one he does not regret having found Hamilton people welcoming and accepting of him.