Tips for a Successful Year Abroad:
- Be Proactive:
- If you want something to happen, make it happen. While your classmates and other contacts might ask you to meet up, friendship is a two-way street. Sometimes, you have to make the first step. It shows you have an active interest in spending time with that person, which always kommt gut an (comes good on = makes a positive impression). If you want your language skills to improve, do something about it. Practice, practice, practice. You want to get the most out of your time abroad? I say go make the most of it.
- Be Open:
- You're in a new country. Of course there are going to be differences. From the food and clothing styles, to the language and the general mindset of the natives, you're probably going to come across some things that make you think, "Well, that's not how it is back home!" However, it's important to remember that just because it's different, doesn't mean it's any better or worse. Things may be strange to you, but to the people around you, that may be everyday normalcy. Make an effort to not judge things too quickly. Try them out; give them a chance. They may become the things you'll end up missing the most about your host country when it's time to leave.
- Be Brave:
- Being on your own in a foreign country is a real test of courage. You're living in a different house, in a different town, in a different country. The light switches look different. The street signs are different. Etiquette in restaurants and at the dinner table are different. Maybe you're second guessing your language skills and so you keep quiet rather than take part in conversation.You're feeling generally unsure and eingeschüchtert (intimidated). Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Believe in yourself. Not everyone can do what you've decided to do. It takes a special kind of brave (and by "special" I mean there's got to a bit of insanity mixed in) to willingly move to a foreign country, for however long. You can do this!
- Be Committed:
- This point is mostly about the language-learning aspect of being abroad. Sure, you'll probably learn a lot just be being exposed to a foreign language. From billboards to music on the radio to restaurant menus, you'll pick up some vocabulary and phrases here and there. However, those who really want to achieve fluency need to commit to it. Try to distance yourself from your native language as much as possible in order to really submerse yourself in the new language. Practice, practice, practice! Try actively using the new language every day. Read books, magazines or newspapers. Start thinking in the foreign language. Even if the grammar is off, it will help your train your brain to function more quickly in the foreign language, which will speed your response time. It may take some time to reach full fluency, but if you stick with it, you'll get there!
- Be Flexible:
- Nicht alles muss nach deiner Nase gehen (Not everything has to follow your nose = it doesn't always have to go your way)! Of course, you should always stay true to who you are, and you should never feel pressured to do something you're not comfortable with, but sometimes being able to go with the flow can pay off.
