Living abroad: My Swedish adventure

I never thought I would go to live abroad. Of course I love traveling, but whenever I traveled I had this longing to return “home”

You too wrong with you when you travel?

One day, love and destiny crossed my path and made at this time, I have my life divided between Barcelona and Stockholm.

With the intention to come to Sweden and create a new life.

I’m a creature of habit, I like my routines and know what to do. However, as a good Gemini I am, I have my “other self” is totally adventurous, and always has a tremendous desire to learn and do different things.

Fears

The first thing that came to me were a lot of fears.

A different country, a different language, a different culture and so many new things …

• Will I be able to adapt?
• Am I will miss you so much to my family that I can not stand? (I have to say that I am very familiar)
• How long will I learn the language?
• Will I find work? What if I can not find it?

A mountain really is, because it is a big change to leave your country and start from scratch somewhere else.

Advantages of living abroad

Each country will have its own, in my case, there are three things I appreciate very much:

Nature: Stockholm is a beautiful city. It is surrounded by nature, lakes, forests, animals … a charm.

I live about a half-hour by train from the city, and near my house there is a forest with a beautiful lake I love going for a walk, if time permits.

The animals: from my window I see a lot of birds, cats go freely through the street, the squirrels jump from tree to tree and even I’ve seen more than once, some reindeer out.

 

For an animal lover like me, this is a treat.

Snow: In winter do not need to go to the mountains to see snow for the window you can see quite often. The landscape, all white, it becomes story.

And the fact of living in a different country with a different culture and customs to yours is very exciting, how many new things to learn!

Disadvantages of living abroad

Of course, not everything is rosy, of course not. Living abroad is not easy.

Papers: Fix the papers to be in order, could say it’s one of the things that is most costing me. And so I come from a European country, but the bureaucratic issue here is awesome.

I’ve spent 1½ years presenting papers to receive a response from the institution that validates my studies. Amazing.

Language: I can assure you that even if you know speak English, do not understand Swedish. It is a totally different language, and the hardest thing for me is that the sentence structure is totally different from the Spanish, so mount a correct sentence, it is almost mission impossible.

Transportation: Besides transportation in Stockholm is expensive, yet I have a hard time not to miss. Furthermore, if I add my lousy sense of direction, you’ll understand that I have come out well in advance, if I want to be on time.

Facilitating the process of adapting to a new country

I have had the good fortune to come and go quite often to Barcelona because there are direct and cheap flights.

But there are things that have helped me a lot and I’m going to tell you, if you find yourself in a similar situation:

1. Begin to study the language of the country you go, BEFORE you go:

There is a website that is easy to follow courses (very visual) and low price. I leave here the link: Babbel.

I studied three Swedish courses for beginners BEFORE coming to Stockholm, and I can assure you that the first day, was able to say a few words and understand others.

2. Once in the country, looking for a language course for English speakers:

This was also important to me because, especially in the beginning, go really well for someone to explain, in your own language, some grammatical rules or how to put his mouth to utter a voice that does not exist in your alphabet.

Little things that if you understand, make a big difference.

This the first three months or so, then you have to spend a language course in the country to continue learning.

3. Try to make friends, the need to:

Wherever you go, try to strike up conversations. The school is a good place, so keep an open attitude to meet people.

In my case, at school for Spanish speakers I met a small group of Spaniards who were an important point of support for me. Also being able to continue to speak in my language, I gave me some comfort.

4. Make networking

I’ve separated this part of making friends because, from my point of view, networking is more focused on work.

Really, without speaking the language it is very difficult to find a job. But there are many people in the foreign country who speak your same language, and it may take longer than you, so you can orient yourself or even possible labor may arise collaborations.

Not long ago I know meet up page. It is a website where anyone can create a group on a particular interest, and the people who care about what it can join the group.

There are ups meet in each city, so look for your city and your interests and go to the meetings that are organized. Yes, you see the chipset to meet people and expand your circle.

5. Talk by Skype from time to time with friends and family.

You will need an emotional level to help your adaptation process, contact yours, because until you create your own contacts and friends in the new country, will spend some time.

Now new technologies make it possible to see the person while talking to her, so take it!

6. Accept that will come many contrary feelings.

Part of the process. Sometimes you will pletóric for your adventure, learning, new people … other, difficulties with you and you can ask a thousand times, why you decided to leave your country. You replantearás the drop everything and come back.

But nothing happens. The important thing is to let all this concoction of emotions calm down and after a few days, you return to confirm your decision.

 

Living abroad is not easy, you will have advantages and disadvantages, moments of great joy and much sorrow sadness, you will face loneliness and replantearás you many things, but I’m convinced that you’re going to grow a lot as a person.

 

If you want to share your story, I’ll be happy to read the article below, in the comments. Will you tell me how you doing to you by your chosen country?