Moving to another country has actually been like nothing I ever thought. Traveling for so many years certainly did prepare me in some ways. I learned that even within the United States, every place has a certain way of doing things. A specific way of communicating. And prejudices and stereotypes are in every place as well.
But living in another country presents its own set of challenges. The language is the most difficult. And it’s not even learning how to speak. It’s learning mannerisms, it’s learning certain expressions. It’s beyond me some days to comprehend that one day I’ll be able to communicate fully. But I fully intend not to give up. Just this week, Nate and I got our test results back from our B1 exam in September. And we passed!
But this week, when I went to get some groceries and wanted to simply ask how to get a store frequent shopper card, I knew just how far I had to go. It’s frustrating. I want to make friends. I want to be able to do the simplest of tasks within d having anxiety. But I have a long way to go. Can I do it? I will keep trying.
In a country that appreciates food and a beautiful, slow way of living, I feel so at home. But I’ve never felt further from home. Dualities are my norm now. And perhaps, one day, they will be more cohesive. Maybe one day I can take a bath too. Oh. Dreams.
-Rachael
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