This time ten years ago, I would never have thought that at the age of 20 I would be living alone in another country, speaking a foreign language and teaching children English. However, as of two weeks ago, this became my reality.
I have moved to a town called Hagen in North-Rhein Westphalia, Germany, to become a Language Assistant in a school. The town is not initially what I wanted, as I prefer the hustle and bustle of city life, however, Hagen is much bigger than I had expected and is a beautiful town home to many of the traditional German squares and buildings.
Upon arriving at Manchester Airport bright and early on the morning of Monday 9th September, I was feeling overwhelmed with the different emotions that were going through my mind; apprehension of what the next few days, weeks and months would entail, sadness of leaving my Mum and Dad stood at the departures gate and of course excitement to be starting a new adventure. Luckily I flew with two friends, who calmed my nerves and stopped me from turning right around and getting back in the car to go home.
I landed in Germany a few hours before I was due to be picked up and taken to the hotel where my three-day training course would take place. This gave me plenty of time to sit in front of Cologne Cathedral with a cup of tea and take in my first sights of German life. After the training, I lugged my suitcase that was filled with all of my worldly possessions to the place that I will, for the next nine months, call ‘home’. I was greeted from the train by my mentor who took me straight to my school, where I met every single member of staff including the teacher who I am staying with for the first few weeks. I was definitely thrown in right at the deep-end, which was for the best, as I quickly felt at ease.
I hope the next few weeks will continue to be just as exciting; settling into my new role as an English Language Assistant, setting up my new home and making lots of new friends. I am looking forward to telling you my story!
If you could move to another country for one year, where would you choose to go?
