Moving to another country is without a doubt a scary prospect. Not only are you leaving your familiar surroundings but if you, like me, move to another European country, this will more often than not mean that you have to communicate in a new language.
I come from the UK but lived in France for nine months and in September 2016, I moved abroad once again… but this time, to the Land of the Lederhosen (Germany).
Ever since I was a teenager, I knew that it was my goal to move abroad and experience another culture, speak another language and explore new places. I loved learning languages and knowing that I could spend time overseas ticked all the right boxes.
Anyone who knows me will know that I’m not the world’s most adventurous type. It’s unlikely that you’d find me trekking up mountains, abseiling or bungee jumping, but I do certainly get a kick out of living somewhere new.
The reality of moving abroad
It would be untrue to say that this passion for living abroad and experiencing a new culture hasn’t been tested throughout the years. I quickly discovered that the idea of moving abroad can often be romanticized and my once visions of wandering along French streets saying Bonjour to beret wearing people carrying their morning baguettes, of cycling through the towns being carefree and able to communicate without any difficultés soon changed.
The realisation of actually moving away from my town, friends, family and of course, the UK, now gripped me with an intense fear. A fear of the unknown which I had never experienced before.
I had chosen my degree course specifically to spend a year in another country and had waited for what had felt like an eternity to get there. Yet, somehow, I had never considered the practicalities of moving abroad beforehand. I hadn’t thought about admin such as opening up bank accounts and enrolling at universities, let alone actually being away from my nearest and dearest.
So, suddenly in August 2014, it was time to head off to France and begin my adventure.
As predicted, the realities of living away from home began to reveal themselves. Endless admin, heated discussions with accommodation staff about living arrangements, a lack of internet, not enough tea and much more. Furthermore, I was suddenly living in a new city, and as beautiful and characterful as Strasbourg is, I was suddenly yearning for the familiarity of my hometown.
And to top it all off, everything was in French.
Living abroad now felt somewhat overwhelming and exhausting. It wasn’t the carefree cultural experience which I had envisaged and soon, pangs of homesickness kicked in.
Yet, despite all this, I persevered.
An suddenly, semester one was done.
And I had made it.
Moving abroad is a rollercoaster, but it’s worth it
Despite my initial homesickness, the overwhelming admin and some accommodation challenges, (like having to move out because of a bedbug infestation…), I had managed to navigate my way through my first semester without too many hiccups. I had also managed to make a few friends along the way.
By placing myself in challenging situations, my French progressed in leaps and bounds. I was suddenly able to communicate with my friends in a more fluent way, I felt a lot more self-confident as a functioning independent woman and was completing ‘adult’ tasks such as making official complaints, opening a bank account and organizing insurance documents.
I suddenly realized how far I had come since those initial nerve wracking weeks away from family.
The first semester was a challenge, but my goodness was it worth it. I did it.
I continued living in France and completed two semesters out there. The second of which being much easier than the first. By the time the second semester rolled around, everything was familiar and I was enjoying my French vie. My experience of living in France also led me to where I am today.
As soon as I finished my year abroad in France, it was time to return to the UK and finish my studies. And whilst I was excited to be living in Blighty again, there was still a part of me which yearned to be abroad, experiencing the excitement of discovering a new place and immersing in the culture.
So off to Northern Germany I went. Yet this time around has been very different.
Living abroad as a post-Brexit Brit
Being a post-Brexit Brit abroad has been a unique experience.
Whilst I have definitely received a warm welcome from the Germans, I have been constantly questioned about my country’s decision to leave the European Union and what that means for the future. I have become a makeshift spokesperson for the UK government.
The uncertainty which surrounds the vote to leave has also meant that I have a strong desire to reap the benefits of a European passport whilst I still am able to. A passport which allows me to reside and work in any other EU member state without a visa. The unknown factors which surround the decision to leave means that the privilege of being able to travel freely may only last for another two years…
Therefore, in my opinion, moving and living abroad for a British citizen now has a totally new meaning. I now feel the need to capitalize on my opportunity of visa free living and travelling abroad whilst the opportunity still exists.
Being a Europhile Brit means that I feel I have an obligation to encourage as many Brits as possible to make the most of living abroad whilst it remains simple and flexible.
Moving abroad has molded me into a stronger, more independent and confident woman. I can communicate in three languages and am able to appreciate different countries from their perspectives. I have learnt so much about French and German history and culture, and in many respects, I have learnt to appreciate the UK in a new light.
I’ve developed a strong sense of European identity, and despite Brexit, that will never change.
So I urge you, people of Britain and elsewhere, make the move. Whether it be for a month or a year, give it a try. You won’t regret it and will always cherish it.
