I have been on my year abroad four months and am a quarter of the way through. I’ve lived in two different countries and had two very polarising experiences, and it’s fair to say I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs. I started my year abroad in a Paris for the summer working as an office manager for a co-working company. I had the time of my life; I was working hard and playing harder. Paris exceeded my expectations. Then it was time to pack my bags and move on to Valencia, Spain to begin my 8-month placement as an English language assistant in a high school. During this transitory period something changed within me. All of a sudden the reality of moving to a new country kicked in.
The year abroad isn’t always a picture perfect experience; many of us will feel a mixture of euphoric moments and also periods of homesickness, loneliness and self -doubt. It’s completely normal to experience extreme highs and lows and I’d like to talk about my own experiences of living abroad in Spain so that if you are on your year abroad/ thinking about planning it, then you know that you are not alone! The ‘not so great’ things:
This mentality is applied to all aspects of life. Can’t find an apartment? No pasa nada. Don’t know when you’ll be paid? No pasa nada.
The positive sides of Spanish culture
Honestly, I have no idea what the rest of my year could bring. I can fantasise about my dream year abroad or I can go out and live it; the latter is what I intend to do. This year isn’t perfect- it’s real life and its what I make of the experience. I’m learning that some things are out of my control but all I can do keep on looking at the bright side and take the good with the bad. Natasha Hylton
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