The Challenges Of Moving Abroad

My recent big move has been a fairly smooth ride as far as these things go, but it hasn’t always been completely bump free. A voyage across the seas for an extended period of time can be an incredibly worthwhile thing to do; independence, initiative and interest can all be acquired while you’re away. However, it isn’t always plain sailing (perhaps you learn how to make travel related puns as well), here are a few reasons why...

Image: cartoonaday

New People. Meeting people is often one of the hardest parts of moving away. Meeting fun, nice and normal people is often even harder. However, don’t forget that while you’re abroad, you have the perfect opportunity to meet a huge variety of people. Why not approach a randomer on the street and ask them to show you around? If they think you’re weird, just tell them it’s what all English people do.  

New Habits. Getting used to a new routine can be a very confusing thing, but it’s very important to embrace the culture of the place where you are living. Waiting until 9pm to eat dinner, as the French do, was practically impossible to get used to, but now I prefer it. Clubs not even opening until 2am was even stranger but I finally felt like I fit into French culture when I discovered that I can start work as late as 9.30am.

New Living Arrangements. Moving into a flat with strangers and a kettle-less kitchen can be a daunting thing. Discovering how to make the washing machine work provided a particularly deceptive challenge (the washing powder and the freshener look identical!), but making mistakes and learning how to not burn yourself when lighting the oven is all part of the ‘broadening your horizons’ experience.  

Had to invest!

New Language. Without a doubt the most nerve-wracking, nail-biting pre-year abroad jitters for me came from my fear of not being able to understand those around me. Of course it was a struggle at first, and I still occasionally nod my head when someone looks at me expectantly without a clue what I’m agreeing to, but over time it occurs less and less and you begin to understand more and more. 

The Places of Bristol

 I have recently taken over as Theatre Editor for Bristol’s online magazine, Inter:Mission and with my new role comes new experiences (and the odd free press ticket). I’ve only been in the position for two weeks, but I’ve already been to an array of new places across the city. There are so many little theatres, bars and quirky activities that students don’t seem to take advantage of. I have discovered that Bristol is so more than just Whiteladies Road and Lounge, and as embarrassed as I am that it took me almost two years to realise it, I hope to persuade you too.

In this new feature for my blog, I hope to point you in the direction of new and fun places to go outside of the student routine. If you feel like you seem to be visiting the same places over and over again and actually quite fancy a good cocktail bar rather than Bed @ Bunker or a quirky cinema rather than the Odeon, then you’ve come to the right place. 

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