Reminiscing...

I recently started reading a new blog written by an old school friend.  She recently moved abroad and set up the blog to review her new experiences - ringing any bells yet?

Reading her first post took me right back to those first weeks in Bremen.  I can't believe how much has changed since then.  My life looked very different back then.  I originally only came over for a two year stint but I fell in love...with a man, with a job and with a way of life.  

What hit me more than these big changes however, was how much I take for granted now.  I was almost a little bit sorry to have left the times behind when every little thing was new - remembering to stock up at the supermarket on a Saturday because it doesn't open on Sunday, getting refunded for recycling bottles, paying for coffees when you leave a cafe rather than when you order, the whole school system...and probably a thousand other things that I don't even remember.  It almost made me want to move again.

Everybody should try life in a different country at some point.  Even if it is only for a few months, it can open your eyes so much and completely change your life.  I'll definitely be reading Jessica's blog in the future, reliving those early weeks and wishing her all the best in her new venture.

Interview!

Here is the second interview in our moving abroad series.  This week Rebekah is telling us how she has found her year abroad.  Thanks for sharing Rebekah!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Rebekah, I’m 27 and I am English. I graduated as primary school teacher last summer and have spent the last year living and teaching in Paris.

Which countries did you move from and to and why?

I moved from England to France. In my degree studies, I specialised in MFL teaching and thought spending a year abroad would provide invaluable experiences and resources for my future teaching career.

I also just really wanted to experience life in another country!

What kind of expectations did you have before you moved?

I moved to Paris without knowing a single person, so my expectation was that it was going to be tough at first – particularly as a lot of the English have a huge stereotype of the French as rude and stand-offish (and I was moving to Paris; the capital of this preconception!).

Did your new country live up to these expectations?

Definitely not, I found almost all of the people I met to be very friendly and welcoming.

I think that the misconception is partly due to people not trying to learn/speak the language of the country that they are going to. I’ve overheard so many English/American people whilst I’ve been here who have been cross that some shop assistants/waiters hasn’t been able to speak any English! Almost all of the French people I have met whilst I’ve been here have been very interested in my language learning and they’ve been really willing to help me along (sometimes a bit too willing...it’s a bit embarrassing/disheartening when even the six year olds are correcting your grammar!).

What was the best thing about moving?

The best thing about moving was the challenge - the opportunity to force myself to be out of my ‘comfort zone’ and really push myself to speak and learn as much of the language as possible.

What was the worst thing?

Two months before I moved to Paris, I moved in with my long-term boyfriend, Dave, and so leaving my home and my newly-built life behind was definitely the worst thing.

That having been said, in the end it has definitely become one of the hidden benefits – as a couple we have grown closer than either of us could have ever imagined. So I guess my worst thing has become one of the most positive outcomes!

What has been your favourite experience since you moved?

Oh my goodness! Where to start! In terms of school experiences, I think the constantly hearing echoes of “Rebekah, Rebekah! Hello, how are you?” from my primary school children as I walk through the playground or around the school is definitely a favourite experience.

In terms of being in Paris in general, I think simply the opportunity to get to know such an amazing city. There’s always something going on here, something to do, something to see, somewhere to visit. I’ve been incredibly lucky to spend so much time here.

What steps have you taken to accustom yourself to your new country?

Learning the language! Definitely the major step I made to accustom myself. I arrived with bits of classroom French, quite a lot of travel French and some shaky conversational French – but you can’t really make friends and get to know people until you know enough language to hold up your end of a conversation/give your opinion on something.

What tips would you give someone else thinking of moving abroad / to your country?

My first is one of those predictable pieces of advice that are just so easy to disregard – but just don’t say no to ANYTHING when you first arrive. Even if you don’t think you’ll enjoy it. It’s surprising just how many experiences you would have quickly dismissed, through nervousness or otherwise, that actually end up being life-changing.

My second is definitely to try and stay positive. It’s not going to be easy 100% of the time, it’s not going to fun 100% of the time and (as Jenny has mentioned in her previous post) it can be lonely, even in Paris! But “c’est la vie” as they say and each experience, positive or negative, helps us to develop who we are. It’s easy to look at other people and think “well she/he are just finding it so easy” – but ask yourself honestly, when you’re finding it difficult, do you have a breakdown in public? Or do you put on a smile and wait until you’re home? So who’s to say that the person you are putting on the pedestal isn’t having lonely/disheartened moments in the privacy of their own home?

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I think I’d just like to say that if anyone is ever in two minds about making the leap and moving to another country, for however long or short a time, just do it! We only truly regret the things we didn’t do after all.

I’d also like to thank Jenny – her blog is so open, honest and thought-provoking. I stumbled across it after I’d been here about a month, and was feeling really homesick. It made me realise that there have been other people in the same boat and that the positives really do outweigh any negatives!

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!

Interview!

A while ago now, I received some feedback from an old school friend who has found my blog through facebook and found it helped her to settle in to her year abroad in Paris and get through the homesickness (yes, even in Paris, you can get homesick).  I've been thinking a lot about her message and I thought maybe she wasn't the only one, and even if she is, here's a way I can hopefully help even more, by roping my friends into some interviews talking about how they have adapted to moving to a new country.  Here is the first in (I hope) a series of interviews talking about actual experiences of moving abroad and some advice on how you can do it too.

This interview is with my good friend Loreto who has a lot of experience in living abroad and a wonderful outlook on life, indeed, she has helped me through my migration process.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Loreto, I am Spanish, I lived in England for nine years where I taught Spanish. Now I am living near Bremen, in Germany.

Which countries did you move from and to and why? 

I moved from England to Germany following my husband, he is also a teacher.

What kind of expectations did you have before you moved? 

I thought that it would be easier to get a job but the language is a barrier and I need to learn it well before I find a job.

Did your new country live up to these expectations? 

No, I found easier to adapt to England when I moved there. People were friendlier and more welcoming.

What was the best thing about moving? 

The challenge of a new culture and new friends.

What was the worst thing? 

Leaving behind my friends, my permanent job…

What has been your favourite experience since you moved? 

I have met very good people and I have fantastic friends. Also I love the village where we live.

What steps have you taken to accustom yourself to your new country? 

Learn the language and try to find a job. Also I have tried to make German friends.

What tips would you give someone else thinking of moving abroad / to your country? 

To come with an open mind and try to look to the positive side of things. Moving abroad is a very rewarding experience from which you learn a lot. Try to learn the bases of the language before you move to the country and get familiarized with the place before you move permanently.

Is there anything else you would like to share? 

Yes, I have to thank my English friend Jenny because she has been a great support to me. Thanks to her I have not felt so lonely, at first you can feel quite isolated from the world but we have been meeting every week for coffees and a nice chat and that has meant the world to me!

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!

Not at all, my pleasure!

Well now I am blushing!  I guess one piece of advice to take away from this is how important those social connections are.  I was here a year before I met Loreto and the second year has been much easier than the first.  I was lucky enough to meet her by coincidence.  You really have to put yourself out there in order to meet new people and make connections in a new city but it is soooo worth it in the long run!