I didn’t feel as though I was leaving for ever
April 14, 2014
As I have just spent the last week waving goodbye with teary eyes and a snotty nose to the first 7 months of my year abroad, it seems natural to reflect on the relationships I have formed. Having been set up with a French family by my mentor teacher prior to my arrival, some might say …
Seven months on, I’m pleased to be able to tell you that I’m no longer such a tragic figure
For at least the first month after I arrived in La Rioja just under seven months ago, I felt overwhelmed and homesick. This feeling was quite unexpected, not least because I’m an independent and usually quite confident person but also because I hadn’t experienced any problems settling into Nottingham when I moved away from home …
My weird and wonderful French social life
Before arriving in France one of my main worries about moving abroad was making friends. I knew it would be hard in a small French town with few foreigners but this managed my expectations and allowed me to throw myself out there when I arrived. One of the first things I had to do when …
Making connections with my favourite music
Spain is famous for its rhythm. Whether that is the rhythm of daily life or the flamenco music and the dancing that accompanies it. It was Spanish music that captured my heart and sparked my interest in learning the language. Unfortunately, at school we only had the opportunity to learn German or French. As much …
The phase “Making connections” urges one over-powering thought into my mind: Erasmus
Post written by Rebecca Wright. So far during my studies in Serbia and Croatia, and my voluntary work in Bosnia, I have made connections of all types. Connections with teachers and staff at the faculties in Belgrade and Rijeka, peace-builders and charity workers, men and woman of faith, students and young people organising events within …
I feel a lot more at home here in Shanghai
Having been in Shanghai for six weeks now, I feel I have made lots of friendships and connections. It is already far more social than Spain ever was, the reason for which I will explain here, and I feel much more settled and ‘at home’ here in Shanghai, an amazing city where I am truly …
China Welcomes You!
April 13, 2014
Foreigners in China are given the nickname 老外(lǎo wài) which translates as ‘wise outsider’ as a term of respect and this sums up well the general Chinese perspective of us. They see us as mysterious and interesting people and it is c
Erasmus. Friends. Smile. Sleepless nights. Connections.
For me Erasmus is a synonym of friends and connections. I am so glad I had the chance to go on Erasmus. I spent the first semester of my year abroad in Audencia, Nantes. It was fantastic. I met people from all around the world; from countries that I have only seen on a map. …
“I do not go back to England every night after the end of school, and come back to France the next morning!”
April 12, 2014
As I sit writing my penultimate blog entry, I am acutely aware than I have only nine more hours of teaching left at Jean Jaures primary school. Despite the fact that I have been teaching these small children for the best part of six months, I still have to remind at least two people a …
“It’ll be the best year of your life”. How the year abroad has turned me into a ‘Yes Man’
With my permanent departure from France just a week away, I have been feeling increasingly pensive lately. Reflecting on the life I have built here and how it has changed me over the last seven months leads me to all sorts of conclusions on what I have learned from the experience; be it what I …
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