Interviewing my friend @daria, an international undergraduate student from Italy, I got some interesting points about what it is like to be an international student and how to make the most of this experience.
The key points of our interview were:
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best ways to learn a new language
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the transition from home to a new country and how to make the most of it
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take-home message
My friend Daria has been studying English since she was in primary school, however, according to her, the ways that she managed to learn the most were through shows, music, books, and going abroad. If you love watching shows, especially if you’re one of those people who like rewatching their favourite shows over and over again, a fun way to practice your listening is by watching those shows that you love and know by heart in the language that you would like to learn. Adding subtitles in the same language is also a great way to associate the words you listen to the way they are written and it’s such an effortless and fun way to practice your understanding of a new language. Just like the shows, depending on your hobbies two other ways to practice are definitely music, for which you can always read the lyrics, and if you’re a bookworm like Daria you will get a lot out of reading your favourite kinds of books in the language you want to learn. However, “If you have the option, going abroad may be your best choice,” Daria advises. Not only will you be able to fully practice the language of interest, but you will also have the opportunity to gain new experiences, meet new people, and make plenty of friends.
Daria’s transition from Italy to the UK had her ups and downs. Moving to a new country, being away from your family and friends, and adapting to a new lifestyle is not an easy move. However, one of the best things that you can do for yourself is to get out of your comfort zone. The reason for this is that everyone loves being inside their comfort zone, you feel secure, you stick to your routine, and you’re surrounded by your loved ones whom you can always rely on whenever you need. However, the way that you’re truly going to make the most out of your life, learn new things, make new experiences, and grow as a whole is right by coming out of that comfort zone. If you’re thinking of moving to a new country and are a bit scared of the idea, try going on a trip to that place first. You can either go on your own or you could go with your family or friends, the whole point of this is that most of the time when we’re thinking of taking a big step we can get a bit in our heads and overthink, however, chances are that as soon as you experience being in that new place most of those thoughts that you might have had will just disappear and be replaced by a huge excitement. At the end of the day if that’s what you were meant to be doing things will just fall into place and you’ll end up making experiences that you would have never made otherwise. And even in the chance that you end up realising that that’s not your call at least you gained a new fun trip with yourself or your loved ones.
Finally, a take-home message that Daria would give to anyone who is in a similar position is “Life is a beautiful journey, full of twists and turns that are meant to be explored. If you have a burning passion for something, then go for it! Don’t let anyone, not even yourself, hold you back from experiencing all that life has to offer. It’s natural to feel scared when trying something new, but that’s what makes it all the more exciting. At the end of the day, it’s all about taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. You never know what you might discover if you just give it a try. You may find a new hobby, a hidden talent, or even a new path in life! And if it turns out that it’s not your thing, that’s okay too. At least you won’t have to wonder “What if?” So go ahead, take that step, and embrace all of the wonderful possibilities that life has in store for you!”
And her advice on stepping out of our comfort zones is spot-on. Thanks for the inspo, Daria!