Adapting to a new culture will always bring new challenges, but it is essential to actually assimilate into it. The most challenging aspect of it for me personally is how slowly individuals live their lives around here. By slow down, I mean there is far less of a rush to get certain things done, and people live more on the Type-B side. This has, however, given me a new perspective on life and appreciation for how they do their work. While it is slower, they also take more care with it. Because of this, the quality of the work always shines through. An example of this is that last year, I would pack my schedule with classes, work, and extracurriculars, leaving little time to breathe. However, this semester I’ve learned the importance of building some time into my schedule just to breathe. Specifically, I am able to enjoy an hour break in the afternoon where I can go to my favorite cafe and grab an espresso and a snack (always a cream-filled croissant). I’m able to take some time, relax, reflect, and take a step back to enjoy the moment. This is absolutely something I will be taking back with me when I continue classes in the United States and post graduation.

In the classroom, uncertainty can sometimes appear through the language barrier that can form with my professors. As English is not their first language, there can sometimes be miscommunications. The solution to this is always very simple: patience. I navigate this challenge by listening to what they say and then communicating any confusion I have directly to them. This way, any of the uncertainties that do pop up can be struck down instantly.

My interactions with the locals have, by and large, been a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. Most of them have come through just talking to the staff at restaurants I like to frequent (and even sometimes the owners). While it can at times be a challenge to work through the language barrier, they are always more than willing to share an interesting story and love to hear my stories as well (at least I hope they do). I have really learned to get out of my comfort zone with these interactions, as it can be uncomfortable to just strike up a conversation with a random person you have just met, but it always turns into a positive experience.