Life around the world

Saturday, 14 July, 2018 - 06:08

Lessons learned from living abroad

by ElsaBlogger2017

Here are the top ten things I've learned from living in Germany and Austria this year.

1. Taking a chance will be the best thing you've ever done! I was feeling unsure about moving from Cologne (where I was in my first semester) to Vienna (where I spent my second semester) as I thought it can't get any better – but really it did.

2. The weather in England is a joke! I didn't realise how bad it was until I now have this incredible European weather to compare it to.

3. The more you do, the easier it becomes! At first I found listening to or speaking German all the time exhausting, but the more I did, the less tired I became.

4. You appreciate your home cuisine so much. The phrase, 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone', is so true. I found myself dreaming about classic English foods like Marmite, Yorkshire puddings and Cadbury's chocolate.

5. Finally hearing your native language sounds magical. Even hearing the self-checkout voice in English at the supermarket made me feel nostalgic. Never did I think 'unexpected item in the bagging area' would bring me any other emotion than annoyance!

6. Keeping up with both languages is difficult. I found myself forgetting English words. Bilingual? More like byelingual.

7. We're all the same. I've met people from all around the world and I've learned that regardless of gender or nationality, we all have kindness within us.

8. And yet we all have our quirks and traditions but we can share them with each other and spread the happiness and joy.

9. Language learning is hard. There's so much vocabulary and then comes slang and then comes dialect and add accent on top of that. But it's so worth it. It's the most satisfying feeling to understand and participate in a conversation.

10. Thanks to technology we can create a home from home. I can FaceTime my family and have them 'with me' on my adventures. My year abroad has been an amazing journey and it's taught me so much, not only about other cultures but also about myself. I would thoroughly recommend spending time abroad. I've only just touched on the advantages as they are endless! So do it, take that leap of faith into the unknown and start your own enriching and empowering experience.

Language level
Topics
Discussion

Would you like to live abroad?

Submitted by DanixO on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 17:21

I want to live abroad, because it gives a lot of benefits. There are a lot of things to learn in other country, and experience and opportunities are the best. My dream is to study abroad because i think that the advantage of learning other language and besides get to know another cultures will be excellent, because there are a lot of traditions around the world.Also start living by myself will be hard but the perfect oppportunity to grow and be independent, it would be difficult live abroad because not evereything is easy but is something i have to make.

Submitted by bicepsflexionados on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 17:20

I want to study abroad for the main reason that in my country there is no job opportunity such as on United states, also i want to study abroad for learning to live alone and to meet neo people of different countries.As i have said before i want to study on the USA, there is great places to choose for studying and also a great quality of universities.

Submitted by nanai on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 17:19

I´d always dreamed of studying abroad. Since I was a little girl I daydreamed about living and studying in US and in just a few months I´ll be able to make that dream true. Being abroad is not just for travelling and having fun but mostly for learning about cultures, languages, experiences and so more. Definitely one of the best experiences anyone could have!

Submitted by ScarletCone on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 17:19

if I would like it, because it is a great opportunity to learn new things from different people, such as culture, language, gastronomy and many other things that define a certain country.

Submitted by agentek2002 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 17:19

I think that travel abroad is a great opportunity, because you can learn so much about culture and languages, you can meet other people and be more independent, have new experiences. It can be hard because you are going to be away from your family and you will be alone. We would like to travel to spain, because is an interesting country and our careers have a good specialization in this country.

Submitted by Sachi1403 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 17:12

Yes, because i love to travel but also i would like to learn about other cultures, but i will miss my family

Submitted by vmo25 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:32

M Isabel L i would like to go abroad because i want to have that experience for my career and also i want to learn another language like english, it is good for grow in another way. i want to do to usa it is like a dream

Submitted by ASABS on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:28

yes, i want tyo go abroad and study in Edimburgo for a time, it is going to be a big opportunity, is going to be a way to see with other perspective the world

Submitted by vmo25 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:27

This is one of the best experiences told by people who have had the opportunity to make this trip. I would like to make this exchange to meet people and have new experiences, know the language, know places and be happy by a martinez 11B

Submitted by FelipeOrtiz10 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:26

i think that it is important to know tips from people who has the experience, because they are based on what they had live

Submitted by Karolg on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:23

i think that study abroad is the best thing that my parents can give me, but unfortunately they can´t do it...i have projects in mind to the near future, consist to went a magic country that is Australia specifically in Brisbane, to study english since 6 months more or less; the tips that previous i read es so interesting because send you a message, the opportunity that have the technology to connect with nuclear family or frineds that no are nearby to you, leavce in a new country are difficult taking to account that are different culture, food, people and the relationships, but is im´portnat to do that because is your future and all those offering can they can be seen in a profession thriving in the future.

Submitted by jay1601 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:23

offcourse, actually im gonna live abroad the next year, my dream is to go to london for study and for make a new life, but that is a hard decison because you have to leave your country, you have to leave the people who love you, all your things that you are used to have or the things that you used to do all the time, it will change, but its a new life of opportunities and for make more things that you couldt do in your country

Submitted by ElSierrab on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:22

I think that it's too possible because in other places I could have better opportunities than in Colombia. I can have better projections on my career, more opportunities to get a job and to earn more money. Also, is nice to meet another culture, people, traditions, etc of another place to learn more about other kinds of perspective about living the life

Submitted by MRV1 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:22

Answering the question i would like to travel abroad to improve my English and maybe after this i would return to my country to finish my studies , i would like to study in England and to know a little more about this culture and to have new experiences . It seems to me that when traveling abroad one has the possibility of having more freedom, of having more maturity and learning to use time and money in the best way, to end up being able to travel abroad is one of the best experiences that you can achieve in life.

Submitted by dani13 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:21

I believe, living in a new country will always give a new seen of view, of life, and it also is a little scary, for that reason, is good to see opinion of peolpe who have had the expererience of live abroado to have a small taste of it.

Submitted by diegosan16 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:21

From my personal point of view, student exchange trips are a great opportunity to learn more history and get a better job, achieve good studies and improve your living condition. To be able to make this trip you need several skills such as the language spoken in that country.Life projects are more interesting and you can look for solutions to improve the life conditions of this country.

Submitted by vmo25 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:20

I think it is a unique experience since you grow as a person, you learn to value the things you have and you learn from other cultures. To start with an experience of this you must have looked a lot about the place where you are going and where you are going to stay. valentina m 11b

Submitted by CADF on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:20

I want to study abroad for 6 months, just English and in Canada, but then when I complete 3 years of my career choose a specialization and go to Germany and study there. In my case I don´t want to live aborad for a long time , I really feel happy with my country and it´s culture. It´s a good experience for inmersing in a new culture and all of it but for a short time.

Submitted by Gugosito on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:19

One of my biggest dreams and plans for my future life is studing abroad, specificly in Spain, because i think that here in my country we got a lack in progress and i want to suceed in a career that is not well paid and taken in account in here. I think that all the times i get the chance to travel or studying abroad, i will take it.

Submitted by vmo25 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:19

I think it is a unique experience since you grow as a person, you learn to value the things you have and you learn from other cultures. To start with an experience of this you must have looked a lot about the place where you are going and where you are going to stay

Submitted by imblue on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:18

I think, that the most important thing that anyone must have if that person is going to study abroad is the patience, if someone doesn´t have patience to learn the idiom, to have the patience to get used to the weather, the patience to solve the problems by him self and the patience to engage in the society. The best thing that someone can do is study abroad and having new experiences.

Submitted by r12345na on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:18

My dream is to study abroad. More specific in Germany, as i want to study medicine, it is really expensive to pay a Colombian college. That´s the main reason why i rather to study abroad. I love germany. the first time i was there, i was 8 years old, even if I cant remember too well all the places, i will never forget how big and clean it was. I really want to go there to become a surgeon.

Submitted by Pau_09 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:18

Yes, i think that is a very pleasant experience, meet new people with different culture, interests, etc ; Also that you can improve your language level, learn to be truly independent because you must have to be organized with your things, your time, etc. With the opportunity of study abroad, we can see the differents perspectives about the jobs, see the differents "Doors" of our future.

Submitted by shakercross6524 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:18

I have always dreamed with living abroad while studying. However I haven't been keen on the idea of researching and getting to know better the place where I wanted to go to. Because of that I find this blog interesting, because the way you talk about your experiences is way simpler than I thought living abroad would be. That's why I think you have given me way more than you thought yo were giving to others.

Submitted by sacj123 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:18

i would like to travel around all the world, studing abroad and even have lots of friend from each country, but at some point i would finally return to my native city. Principally i want to visit New Zeland, Aunstralia, germany and alaska. i want to learn about their history, culture, society, to know about everyting of these countries

Submitted by ASABS on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:16

I think that living and studying abroad is a great idea for us, I want to go to Edimburgo , to study some time there, is a fantastic opportunity to learn new things like the culture, the food and changing my perspective of the world.

Submitted by Luisa_Maria on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:16

I think it is very interesting to study abroad , although the one that might scare me the most would be to start forgetting my language, so I think I could try to practice as much as I can to not forget anything, for that reason I would look for a person to practice

Submitted by lars1224 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:13

I would like to study in another country but in the middle of my career. not only to learn another language, but also to continue studying what I like but that would only be for a maximum of one year, also y would like to go to Spain or to Canada Paula L 11B

Submitted by luisitacomunica on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:13

I think that studying abroad in Colombia almost is a very exclusive thing, that not everyone has the oportunity to. For me since I was a child my dream has been to study in Canada, more specific in the University of Toronto. At the beginning of the year while I was searching for the requirements I discovered that I have to study almost one year here (obviusly IELTS too). So I will work hard for achieving my goal.

Submitted by jdmp on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:13

I would like to study abroad, specially in France or Switzerland. Now, I have the opportunity to study in Russia, and I am thinking it a lot. I think that then, I will come back to Colombia for at least 5 years. I defend that, if I borned here, I have to do something to improve the colombian society. Then, I would like to travel a lot and meet new cultures, to learn more about the world and apply that learnings in Colombia. Juan D M 11B

Submitted by Seoul on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:10

Being abroad represemts a challenge to everyone, not only because of the money but because the distance, the cultura and the esperiences. Some of us are to dependent of family and friends and being far of them could fright them. Anyway its sounds like and exciting experience, were you can improve your social skills. Ive heard youll miss things like food, music, ways of speaking, but human as a curios and social being would be a great adventure, with maybe a the beginning a lot of misunderstandings and finally taking advantage and learning.

Submitted by P34KS on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:10

I am actually about going to study abroad, my end goal would be to apply to MIT, CalTech and other universities in the US while trying to perfect my English and German. I would also like to live sometime alone to start developing more my autonomy. Im looking forward to the time when I can live on my own and experience a lot of stuff i haven't experienced yet.

Submitted by panda02 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:09

I would like to study abroad, probably when I´m finishing my studys I´. going to go to Europe and do a master or something like that, but during my studys I´m going to stay here, also If I would like to study abroad, it can be expensive, and my family probably can not cover all the cost. By the moment I already planned to go next year to Canada to study english for 6 months.

Submitted by Emilycage2002 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:09

Yes, I would like to live abroad, I would like to have a new view of the world, how are different cultures, like try to be part of a new and totally different culture. Also the opportunities I could have of work, study, new lenguages or a new lifestyle based on new things I learn or the place where I want to live, with new experiences and new friends.

Submitted by mclara1591 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 15:09

if i would like it enough, since i would have new experiences, but when i am already working and i have many more opportunities for work abroad, because in part it would be a totally different culture to the one that normally lived

Submitted by sgc2710 on Tue, 07/30/2019 - 02:02

if I would like to and you think it's easy but you have to take many aspects into account. you can't get there without knowing anything about language, culture, you have to take into account many costs, see the field of work or study in such a case. but if it would be a nice experience, because you can learn many things and get out of the daily context.

Submitted by BarbieG on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 15:16

Yes¡ Sinces i was a child i've thought about living and study abroad,not only because the opportunities also the different cultures that you can found and how you can develop your self.so finding this articule i´ve received many tips and interesting request that i used to ignore.

Submitted by jasv1805 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 15:12

Of course I would live abroad and it is for many reasons, the first is because it would be to know a new culture and a very different way of living life. The second reason is because I would like to learn a new language and be able to interact with people from other countries, and the last reason would be for the experience of living alone and being more responsible, and for knowing how to work on various things etc.

Submitted by japa2134 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 15:04

yes, i would like to live abroad, but not rigth now, i would like to live abroad when i am aproxximately 27 years old, why? for a simply reason, u want to be mature and to be really sure of the decitions i would like to take in my life, i think a teen or pre teen should not be alone in another country, hr would take crazy decitions and descontrolate. Jairo 11E

Submitted by meowmeow on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 15:03

I'd really love to study abroad, it will make me to grow up as a person and to know new things in life, new cultures and new people, it's a good way to change the enviroment and to try to be a new brand person, that it's really exiting!I'm planning to stay 6 months in Canada, so i can learn french and practice all i've been learning of english, so it will help me to have a new idiom and to live new experiences

Submitted by Ovan_de_beek06 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 13:08

About living abroad, I consider it as a good opportunity to try out yourself in a another country. Sometimes looking other projects and leaving the comfort zone in which you are is recommendable. It will help you for growing as a professional and as a person. You would face a new cultura that will allow yourself to see the world with a different perspective.

Submitted by carito33 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 13:07

I would love to live abroad, and I think is something we all should experience at least once, it's obviously difficult for a while but when you get used to living in that country it will be a great experience for personal growth and learning from another cultures. Personally it's one of my biggest goals and desires to living abroad, I wish to have independence and a lot of new learnings

Submitted by ct001 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 13:06

frankly speaking, i really love Colombia so i want to live here but if i have an opportunity to study,, work or spend time in another country that would be terrific. moreover, i really like to travel around the world but i consider that my home its colombia there isn´t any place with the same happynes, culture, food etc (i cant deny that if i had the opportunity to live in a nother contry for a brief period i will do it because not only it is and amazing experience in which i could learn a lot, but also the world its very big to saty at home wasting your live ITS NECESSARY TO LIFE( DO THE MOST) BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ONE OPPORTUNITYTO DO EVERYTHING WE WANT IN OUR LIVES )

Submitted by danirod on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 13:01

FOR ME IF IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO STUDY OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY BECAUSE I CAN BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND I HAVE BETTER STUDY OPPORTUNITIES, HOWEVER, I THINK THAT FOR THIS TO BE POSSIBLE IT IS IMPORTANT TO WORK HARD TO GET A GOOD RESULT AND KNOW THAT THIS WILL HELP YOU A LOT IN YOUR FUTURE LIFE AS YOU CAN KNOW NEW CULTURES, NEW LANGUAGES AND GET EXPERIENCES THAT WILL SERVE YOU FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. DANIELA 11D

Submitted by PeterJackson on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 13:00

Yes, I would like to live abroad. They are so many thinks that i want to learn, the great experiences that i will have, the exotic food that i will taste. Adding that i wll learn how to live alone and that i will take my own decisions. Make friends from other countries is another great opportunity that I'm not going to waste.

Submitted by yoxmarajeans on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 13:00

yes,i would like to live abroad,there are too many things that i want to learn , new greater experiences that i will learn new things and also i can make new friends of other countries and i will spend time in different activities

Submitted by Upegui on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 12:59

I think that living abroad is a great experience that we should all live in this type of experience, we know new cultures, we learn new things, we learn to be more independent and we will stay in oneself, we also face real life. I think the best thing about this experience is that you meet new people who teach you new things that will be very useful for training as a social person.

Submitted by Robayo27 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 12:58

I really want to study abroad for studying medicine. But is the most expensive career around the world so it's a little bit difficult to study abroad. If I have the opportunitie I would study in United States because there is one of the best cardiology hospitals around the world, that is Mount Sinai that is located in Manhattan, so it's really beautiful and has the best tecnhology for medicine, but of course it's really expensive.
Profile picture for user DC11

Submitted by DC11 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 12:58

yes, i want to live abroad because is a great form to know a new lenguage, a new culture and about the things that happen around the world.

Submitted by NG19 on Fri, 07/26/2019 - 12:58

yes,i think its a great opportunity to learn about the culture of many places in addition to the languages ,as wells a way to achieve the things by our own account .also the experience that we acquired to be living away from our parents and the optin we have working after studied in another country are incredible
English courses near you