“Memorise the definite article table!” Yes, everyone says that, but the question is how? At first, I avoided learning the ridiculous number of definite articles in the hope that I’d just pick it up over time, but I soon gave in when I realised that my optimism wasn’t getting me anywhere! 15 years of speaking... Continue Reading →
Do you ever look back and think about how much you've changed and how you've got here? Changing often has a negative connotation but for me, change is about growth. Sometimes it's just a quick moment of reflection, or being in a new situation that allows you to recognise development and progress. I recently to... Continue Reading →
A few weeks of avoidance, finding the most convenient inconvenient time and getting to work late, all to be elevated back in a fancy chair and have random metal tools prodded around your mouth. Does anyone actually like going to the dentist? No, me neither, especially not when I'm abroad but I thought it was... Continue Reading →
If my accent doesn't give it away (which it usually does) since living abroad, people often ask me "Where are you from?" and I obviously answer with "London." People usually then mention the much loved British accent or ask why I moved from London to Frankfurt. This is normal, right? Well yes, I come from... Continue Reading →
To answer simply - yes. But what I actually find interesting is how I dream in German. I work in a bilingual environment, meaning there are some words that I only really use in German and others that I only really use in English, depending on what I am speaking about. Sometimes I even have to... Continue Reading →
Hundreds and thousands of pages of knowledge at the Frankfurt Buchmesse (book fair) this year! Not only was everyone spoilt for choice with new reads, but it was also a great opportunity to attend talks and presentations if you were lucky enough to get an industry ticket (which I wasn't), and if not then it... Continue Reading →
How long have you wanted to learn a new language? How many times have you wanted to start but never found the time? How is it actually possible to accomplish such a big task with so little time? One word: integration By this, I don't mean that you should integrate into the culture or integrate... Continue Reading →
Was I excited? Well a bit, I guess. I was beyond gutted (meaning a lot of tears) to find out that I would be the only student from my UK university studying at my German university (which seemed to be in the middle of nowhere), but equally excited to know that my friend and I... Continue Reading →
"Why would someone leave London for Frankfurt?" Truth is, it was more than just the city that brought me here. Although there are a few things I wish I could have brought with me, I just can't justify moving back to London right now. Here's why: Small fish in a big pond You don't realise... Continue Reading →
Whether you've lived in London all your life or have relocated from somewhere else you can't deny that the cosmopolitan city has it's unique specialities. It's taken me over a year of living abroad to really appreciate this and there are still some things that I just can't let go of. So here it is, 5... Continue Reading →
I spent three years at home after finishing uni and venturing around Thailand for a month. It was just me and my mum, which was strange in itself, as I genuinely felt like an only child, but I eventually got used to my sister still being at uni. Eating dinner, watching crappy TV on a Sunday and... Continue Reading →
Every 3 months? Every 6 months? Or depending where you've moved to, maybe even every 18 months? There are of course no written rules but after living abroad just over a year, here's a bit on how I went about visiting (and not visiting) home and why: "When are you first going to come back?" I... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I was one of approx. 65,000 people in Frankfurt to evacuate their homes after a British-made bomb (1.4 tonnes of TNT) was found not far from my flat. Wednesday 30th August As my housemate and I scrolled through an online article after hearing the news on Tuesday, I finally accepted that this was happening... Continue Reading →
How annoying is it when people talk loudly on public transport? I constantly think “Can you just shut up!?” and am always relieved when either I or the loud talker gets off. This time however, I just wanted to go over to the seats behind me and tell the loud talker that I know exactly... Continue Reading →
Other than a few miscommunications, I have been enjoying every minute of the long evenings and good weather. Summer is in full flow and here's what I've been up to: Ibiza I had finished packing, cleaned my room, showered and put my PJs on, went to set my alarm, and oh… there was no more... Continue Reading →
Tears. A lot of tears. Waking up and being alone with my thoughts. Missing home comforts and no longer knowing the city that I live in like the back of my hand. Loneliness. This is exactly how I felt when I first moved out of my family home and went to university in 2009. It... Continue Reading →
Alisa Jordan Writes 