Book Cover for “An Aussie on the International Scene” by Cheryl Malloy.

Chapter by chapter Cheryl engulfs you in her life and travels. Many years spent as an expatriate living in different countries have provided a richness of narrative and humour to this autobiographical work.

Starting her expatriate life as a volunteer working in the South Pacific, Cheryl learns to deal with the challenges of culture shock, the laughter and sensitivities in cultural differences and the mechanisms needed to adapt to and adopt her new lifestyle.

An idyllic island paradise, Vanuatu, becomes her home away from home, complete with a new family and community. From the time she falls in the mud and loses her glasses to diving the coral reefs her island life is engaging, funny and interesting. Her heart breaks on leaving Port Vila to move to the Middle East.

Arabia provides Cheryl with a playground where she explores the lifestyles of the rich and famous and makes friendships that will last a lifetime. Understanding Islam, living in the desert camp and befriending local Emirati simply enhance the experience. Humour, sensitivity and fun are the hallmarks of this well written segment on expatriate life in the desert on the UAE/Oman border.

In China Cheryl is challenged by the language and her exploits in communication will bring tears to your eyes as you realise people really are the same all over the world and language is no barrier to friendship.

Cheryl continues her adventures to many other foreign outposts that entertain, beguile and draw us into her life as an expatriate living in countries that span the four corners of the world.

This book is a good read, a guide for expatriate living and an entertainment that could be successful on the large screen.