After uploading a picture of myself on Facebook with a huge smile and windswept hair at Heathrow airport, I checked-in, dropped my baggage and swiftly went through security. Well actually, not so swiftly as my hand luggage was absolutely rammed with stuff that couldn't fit in my suitcase after being home for nearly three weeks but anyway,... Continue Reading →
After spotting a small group of people doing yoga in the park, I politely interrupted to ask if I could join. My current attire wasn't appropriate but I turned up in my gym clothes the next week and was ready to get involved. The 'I might as well ask, there's nothing to lose' moment has... Continue Reading →
When someone mentioned that they viewed moving abroad as leaving everything behind, it really did make me think twice. I hadn't thought about it in this way at all and I guess it has opened my eyes to other people's experiences. Moving abroad has it's ups and downs and I can imagine that for people... Continue Reading →
Imagine how much you have going on when you move house or start a new job. It's stressful, right? Can you imagine doing both simultaneously and in a new country? It was crazy: Numerous buys from Ikea, remembering everyone's names at work, numerous returns to Ikea, forgetting everyone's names at work. Ahh! I met an... 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 →
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 →
"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 →
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 →
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 →
Loneliness: A feeling of discomfort and sadness because you don’t have the company you want around you. I understand why people avoid this feeling, it’s not pleasant at all, but what about when you don’t have a choice and there’s no one to spend time with? When back home in London, my diary was busy... Continue Reading →
Touching base I have never felt so excited to see London. Descending into Heathrow airport over the Thames, I saw Tower Bridge and The o2 Arena. I felt a smile spread across my face and a rush of excitement shoot through my body. I was back! Seven months is the longest I have been away... Continue Reading →
Alisa Jordan Writes 