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,
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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