Tag Archives: Lyon

How to Get Over Being Homesick

Salut!

I have been in Lyon for almost a week now and I have been feeling less and less homesick everyday. As I try to navigate the city and the school system, I realize that it is okay to struggle in adapting to the culture. Here are ways that have helped me adapt to the city,

 

  1. Get Lost
    • As scary as this may seem, getting lost is a solid way of practicing your French skills when asking strangers for directions and practicing how to read a map. Here in Lyon, the direction North is certainly not towards the mountains like in Vancouver.
  2. Call Home
    • I have been so lucky to have such an amazing support system at home. Despite the 9 hour time difference, I know that I will always be able to call someone at home in case anything happens to me. It’s understandable to feel unsafe and anxious in an area where everything is just so frustrating.
  3. Get Frustrated, then Accept the Differences in Culture
    • Today I went to my orientation for the school and so much information was given. Mind you, all of the information was given orally in French and these people speak really fast. Conclusively, I still am unsure of where to really go and what to do about my classes. The entire experience so far is extremely frustrating and a lot of these feelings derive from the lack of communication and the language barrier. As much as I am able to understand their lectures, I think that with any new institution, it will take time to settle in and have everything together. My advice to myself or to anyone like myself, is to be patient and continue to float on through the system, wherever it may take me – as long as it is not home.
  4. Go Outside
    • I found that I am the least anxious when I go on an adventure and just get some air. Luckily for me, everywhere around me is an adventure. The weather has been fairly humid for the past week but it is now starting to remind me of the fall time in Vancouver, cloudy, wet, and chilly. Finally it is the perfect weather to go for a run and clear my head! Also, having some wine by the river or on the top of the hill is an amazing way to relax.
  5. Cry
    • Sometimes you just need to get it out of your system and that is okay.

My shameless plug:

Snapchat: patbatcat

^ I considered making videos here but I am way too insecure to be taking videos of my life here. The walls in residence seem pretty thin and I do not want to look like a tourist even though I most definitely look and sound like one. Thus, snaps of my day seem much rather fitting.

Instagram: @patriciaabatalla

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How to Say Goodbye

Salut!

It is so weird. Here I am at the Vancouver airport, waiting to board my flight and finally ready to leave for Lyon. Over the last couple of days I have had to say goodbye to my closest and dearest friends and family. These last 24 hours have been particularly difficult as it is finally settling in that I will be away,

so far away.

So here is how I have been bidding my adieus,

  1. At the Last Day of Work, Leave On Time

The last day of work was on Friday the 26th and I was unprepared for the emotions that had sputtered out of me. I worked at a day camp over the summer and saying bye to the kids was difficult enough after growing attached to many of them. Every tiny bear hug became a quick distant memory as each one of them disappeared into the new school year. Also, I grew very fond of my coworkers as they are the most incredible people I have ever worked with. Maybe I feel this way because I am new to a community centre environment. However, this summer has been so rewarding. Before I knew it, I needed to leave and I completely regret leaving on time.

      2. Throw a BBQ, then not actually BBQ

The next day, I should have started packing but the procrastinator in me would rather go out and buy food to prepare for the BBQ. As it was also a potluck, the table soon filled in tune with the arrival of everyone. It became too big of a feast, which left the dozens of hotdogs forgotten. Oops.  I would say more about that night but I think I might start tearing up again. To say goodbye to my friends had been so bittersweet. I would just like to repeat myself now, for those who are reading and that was there, THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU. I am so grateful to have the support system that I have and for all the letters and presents that I received. There was so much love in my house that night, I had hoped that I could just stay there with everyone for just one more day.

3. Just Do It

The last 24 hours leading up to now, as I wait to board my flight, have been overly emotional. I would like to say I am all cried out now but I’m starting to accept my feelings. As I cried to my mom about theoretical situations that may or may not occur, she assured me that I would be just fine. I certainly hope that she’s right. But then again, mom is almost always right.

 

4 months may not seem like a lot of time. I will be back at UBC next semester anyway. So maybe, how to say goodbye is to rather say see you later.

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