♡ Real Talk... Moving/Foreign Exchange ♡

Hey guys!

I figured it was about time that I talk to you about some stuff that I know many of you deal with or will have to in the future. So now, I'm starting this new 'series' type of thing called Real Talk where I'll talk to you about something. As you can tell by the title this first one is about moving...

Back story first, I have quite the track record when it comes to moving. I've lived in a few different countries and switched schools several times so trust my advice on this, ok? My first big move was to the USA and I was very young so I don't remember it too well. I remember not speaking the language and how hard it was at first. But after a few months I'd already learned english and everything was swell once again!

But when I moved from the USA to Brazil, I was already a teenager and let me tell you... It was HARD. I had a whole life back in the US, I had great friends, a boyfriend type of thing, I loved my school, I had everything. Meanwhile, I had nothing in Brazil and I'd forgotten most of my Portuguese since I had spoken english for the past 8 years. I spent a very long time denying that I was back, I'd focus strictly on my life back in America and wouldn't do anything in Brazil. I'd spend the entire year counting down to the day when I'd go visit. I closed myself off from meeting new people because I was in denial.

It took me a year or two of struggling and being unhappy to figure out that the only problem was me. I was denying myself from participating, from making new friends and from being happy. So I decided to try. In a few months, I'd already made new friends and I had plans every weekend. Life was good once again. So don't be afraid to put yourself out there! People are nicer than we tend to think, most people won't reject you. Don't focus on your old life, work on making your new life the best it can be.

Now, after that I moved to France and it was a little different. Once again, I didn't speak the language but I was already 17 and knew who I was. I'd already had the experience of living in a different country. But this time around I didn't have my parents with me. Making friends was easy, if you're a foreign exchange student it's likely that you'll bond with other exchange students. They're the only ones who fully understand what you're going through. Some of the people I met during this time are people I consider my best friends. It also helps you figure out who your real friends are back home.

Getting used to a new culture, a new routine is difficult but if you're considering foreign exchange it's something you have to do. My advice is don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to talk to people, to ask for help, to try new things, to speak the language, to make mistakes, to share how you really feel. Just don't be afraid. Your fear is what will hold you back so get comfortable with being uncomfortable. At the end of the day, the whole experience is extremely rewarding and you'll come back with new friends, new stories, a home away from home and you'll be a new you. More responsible and more independent. Take it from me, it's hard. But it's also one of the best things you'll ever do.

I hope this was helpful to some of you, if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask me!