Yes: moving to another country is hard, even if you don't fit in "at home" and even if the environment you're moving to is ostensibly similar to the one you're leaving (same language, similar customs, etc.). I know this from first-hand experience as I moved from the UK to the US to pursue my career almost 7 years ago (eek! is it really that long?!).
As a mod langs graduate, I had previously lived abroad (France and Spain) for a total of 2 years, but on each occasion I had a structured routine, a ready-made social circle composed of other language students and, at the end of the day, I always knew that I would be going back home at the end of each year.
This experience has been different. When I left London, I didn't know how long I'd be away. And I still don't. I'd assumed (wrongly, as it turned out!) that I'd acclimatise pretty quickly to the American way of life because, after all, it is a British colony ;-) No, seriously, I guess I didn't see further than the shared language aspect. It later became clear that, as famously remarked by George Bernard Shaw, England and America are two countries separated by a common language! It also took a while to get a handle on the different ways of doing things (like renting an apartment, buying clothes, using public transport, etc.), but most of the time the learning experience was fun.
And I came here alone. I didn't know anyone. Whereas you will have Kathryn. That will make a huge difference. And people will be intrigued by you because you are "foreign". Take it from me. It can be annoying but also useful.
The hardest thing about being here is missing the friends I left behind. But it is also true that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I have certainly discovered who my true friends are. It's also fun to be the one living an 'exotic' life in a faraway location - it means that your friends will want to come and visit and discover your new surroundings. I love that.
So, not to put a finer point on it, it's normal to be apprehensive and to worry about fitting in. But it's also a great opportunity. And you (and Kathryn) are really brave to pursue it.
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As a mod langs graduate, I had previously lived abroad (France and Spain) for a total of 2 years, but on each occasion I had a structured routine, a ready-made social circle composed of other language students and, at the end of the day, I always knew that I would be going back home at the end of each year.
This experience has been different. When I left London, I didn't know how long I'd be away. And I still don't. I'd assumed (wrongly, as it turned out!) that I'd acclimatise pretty quickly to the American way of life because, after all, it is a British colony ;-) No, seriously, I guess I didn't see further than the shared language aspect. It later became clear that, as famously remarked by George Bernard Shaw, England and America are two countries separated by a common language! It also took a while to get a handle on the different ways of doing things (like renting an apartment, buying clothes, using public transport, etc.), but most of the time the learning experience was fun.
And I came here alone. I didn't know anyone. Whereas you will have Kathryn. That will make a huge difference. And people will be intrigued by you because you are "foreign". Take it from me. It can be annoying but also useful.
The hardest thing about being here is missing the friends I left behind. But it is also true that distance makes the heart grow fonder, and I have certainly discovered who my true friends are. It's also fun to be the one living an 'exotic' life in a faraway location - it means that your friends will want to come and visit and discover your new surroundings. I love that.
So, not to put a finer point on it, it's normal to be apprehensive and to worry about fitting in. But it's also a great opportunity. And you (and Kathryn) are really brave to pursue it.