Of all the countries to which Núria could have gone to practice her profession as a podiatrist, she has undoubtedly chosen one of the furthest from its Vinaròs natal. This is Australia, where he has specifically chosen the city of Brisbane, located more than 17,000 kilometers away. He has also resided in the barrier reef area, where for work he has helped indigenous aboriginal communities in remote areas, where he has encountered extraordinary clinical cases.

After completing her first studies in Vinaròs, Núria moved to Barcelona to study Podiatry. Once he finished his degree he wanted to try his luck in Australia… and that’s where he stayed. In order to practice his profession in his adopted country, he remembers the following: “I had to pass the most difficult exam of my life. Not only because of the language, but because here the podiatrist is like another doctor. It was a practical exam in which I had to read five clinical cases for five minutes and answer everything perfectly.”

In line with this, Núria states that She feels “more valued” than in her native country. And not only because of the economic issue: “Yes, we charge more and you can save a lot. The standard of living is also more expensive, but it still makes up for it. In any case, I prefer how podiatry is seen in this country. The respect for what we do is absolute. In Spain there are times when people believe that we only deal with calluses and nails.”

Despite what he has said, he does not hide that he misses “the family, friends, gastronomy and culture” that he left behind when embarking on this adventure about nine years ago: “In Spain at any time you can go out for a drink, there is always something open and environment. Here it is different. “People worry more about working and only do something on weekends or on vacation.” It is for all this that he does not hide that at some point he may return: “I don’t know if it will be to Vinaròs because the project I have will be difficult to carry out there, but Yes, we consider returning. Although my partner is from here, we have already discussed that he would be happy to accompany me as well.”

One of the most differentiating aspects in Australia is nature. The variety of flora, fauna and landscapes that can be found “is impressive. Wherever you go you can encounter incredible species. From koalas to kangaroos, whales, turtles… I even found a giant spider in the shower recently.”. Núria also recommends “the beaches, with the coral barrier”, although she does not hide that the presence of sharks and crocodiles “makes you have to be careful because if you bathe in the same place for a while they can mistake you for prey. “Crocodiles are mainly on the beaches of northern Queensland, and one of the dangers with sharks is that they think surfers are turtles.”

Images taken by Núria of a whale and a giant spider in her house; as well as Núria with a koala (d). / MEDITERRANEAN

Another of Núria’s hobbies is cooking “because here the food in the bars leaves a lot to be desired”, as well as Body Balance: “It is a mix of yoga, pilates and tai chi. I am a teacher and I love it because it helps me stay in shape and disconnect; to exercise the mind in a different way.” Regarding the gastronomic aspect, he does not hide that he “loves cooking for friends, especially a good Valencian paella.”

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