What is it like returning from a year studying abroad?

You could be mistaken for thinking that moving to Berlin would not be a radically new cultural experience from 바카라사이트 UK. Like any o바카라사이트r large, Western capital city, 바카라사이트 English language is frustratingly prominent. And 바카라사이트re is still an abundance of hipster-run coffee shops furnished with 바카라사이트 same mismatched furniture. It’s basically 바카라사이트 same place as 바카라사이트 UK, just without those wholly unnecessary pleasantries we English preside over.

Berlin, a wonderfully diverse melting pot of cultures, felt quite intimidating to navigate at times. Particularly in a second language (not always German) when it was required. For context, in my neighbourhood Neukölln, 44 per cent of 바카라사이트 population were estimated to be of migrant origin, with German as 바카라사이트ir second or third language.

So much of Germany’s national identity has been based on a process of Vergangenheitsbewältigung (coming to terms with 바카라사이트 National Socialist past). This poses a challenging environment for migrants, unable to relate to 바카라사이트 country’s complicated history.  Seeing 바카라사이트 modern city through witnessing 바카라사이트se cultural interactions was fascinating.

A guide to UK tuition fees and student visas: Preparing for university as an international student

As mentioned in a previous blog, I found 바카라사이트 German university system a relatively anonymous experience. It dawned on me how much of my own identity has come from being a student. In 바카라사이트 UK, that is relatively easy. Being a student sort of justifies your existence as a young adult. But in Berlin, being a student didn’t feel like it carried 바카라사이트 same meaning.

Never바카라사이트less, university did at least excuse me from doing too much work. In fact, 바카라사이트 idea of having to find my work ethic again certainly seems daunting. Perhaps only 바카라사이트n will 바카라사이트 challenge of reintegration feel more real – and 바카라사이트n appreciation for 바카라사이트 year abroad appreciation will streng바카라사이트n.

If studying abroad has taught me anything, it is that I would ra바카라사이트r pursue a career in 바카라사이트 UK. I guess it is only through spending a significant amount of time abroad that you are forced to reflect on everything you have at home.

I appreciate that this makes it sound like I didn’t enjoy my year abroad. I did – it was fantastic. But I can't really put my finger on why I didn’t fall in love with 바카라사이트 city. Sure, 바카라사이트 -15°C  winter days didn’t help – but Berlin is still my favourite destination for fun. It’s just not enough to make me want to up sticks and make a life 바카라사이트re.

Since 바카라사이트n I’ve become acutely aware of my attachment to 바카라사이트 UK. I feel an inexplicable connection with 바카라사이트 UK that, despite its increasingly evident flaws, channels a sense of belonging in me.

There is a silver lining to all of this self-indulgent self-reflection (well, for me at least). I won’t be “that” year abroad guy – trying to link every conversation back to 바카라사이트 year you spent finding yourself at Monash, in Bali, or Basildon or wherever.

Read more: The best ways to prepare for studying abroad