Goodbye Xiaowei!
Hi everyone,
Thanks to Xiaowei for her final blog - it really made me think and brought back a lot of memories from when I lived abroad.
I was nineteen when I did my compulsory year abroad as part of my degree. Looking back, it seems like a really young age to go off into the wide world alone, but as you say, there are so many things to learn from such an experience. I lived in Paris and for a long time, I felt like a tourist: a little bit lost, a little bit conspicuous... I was convinced that folks could tell that I wasn't a proper citizen.
Me as a young student living in Paris
Like Xiaowei, I had friends who spoke my language and it was often a welcome relief to speak in my mother tongue - speaking foreign languages all of the time can be exhausting, as I'm sure you know!
However, there were a few things I did learn during my time abroad. First of all, I realised that, unlike a lot of the people who lived in the city, I didn't take anything for granted. I was keen to explore museums, wander around art galleries or go to local festivals, whereas the locals perhaps weren't so keen. They didn't have a clue about many of the wonderful things to do right on their doorstep, but in time, I was able to tell them interesting facts about their own history that even they didn't know. That's definitely an advantage to being an ex-pat abroad.
As for everything else, integrating takes time. One day you'll find that you are laughing at a joke you previously didn't understand, or perhaps you might end up giving a local person directions. If you look back to how you felt when you first unpacked your suitcase, I'm sure that you are already far closer than you think.
LANGUAGE
I've just got a couple of things to point out about Xiaowei's recent post.
1) In your sentence,
"I like collecting information of interesting places and gatherings in Sydney."
it's probably easier to say "I like finding out about interesting places and gatherings in Sydney."
2) Uncountable nouns
There is another uncountable noun in your blog which you have put in the plural form incorrectly. I bet you didn't spot it! It's the word "scenery".
"...as well as wandering around to see the pleasant sceneries in my free time."
In English, we say "the pleasant scenery", no matter how many "views" we are talking about!
HOMEWORK
When you're living in a foreign town or city, it can really take a long time to get to know a place and to feel at home. When I was living in Paris, I knew I was settling down when I plucked up the courage to go into my local cheese shop and ask to try a sample of some goat's cheese, something I'd seen my real French friends do. It was such a small thing to do, but made a big difference in boosting my confidence (and the cheese was delicious).
I'd like to know about your experiences of spending time abroad and speaking foreign languages. Was there something which you were afraid to do? What happened when you tried it? What tips can you give to others who are just starting out on their journey?
FAREWELL TO XIAOWEI
It's time to say a final farewell to Xiaowei. Thanks for entertaining us all with your blog and letting us know about your exciting experiences in Sydney.
Good luck with the rest of your time in Australia and continue to keep chipping away at learning English!
Jennifer
VOCABULARY
conspicuous - easily noticed
folks could tell - people could notice
mother tongue - first language
take for granted - treat something with indifference
on their doorstep - close by
plucked up the courage - summoning up the confidence to do something
chipping away at - working at something bit by bit
Comment number 1.
At 2nd Feb 2012, rainyman wrote:hi jennifer
i ve never been in a foriegn country,but i guess being in a foriegn country and culture and solving those problem really can prevent alzheimer!
waiting for ur next lesson
thanx
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Comment number 2.
At 2nd Feb 2012, candhida wrote:Hi Jennifer,
Your blog reminded me of some people's advice. While I was in Paris, I was taken for shopping rather than visiting monuments. I was told that those monuments have been standing there for long time now, and you can visit them on people's pictures or websites and manage to add your own photo by the means of photoshop. However, shopping is more interesting.
while being abroad, it's quite funny to try the local language. Especially when you miss-pronounce their words. One day, trying to be polite, I greeted an old man. And I thought, I was saying: "Hi, grand pa". Instead, with the wrong pronunciation, I did say: "Hi door". (same word for grand father and door, but intonation is different)People were laughing. Until now, I can't get the right pronunciation. However, I enjoyed staying in this country.
See you soon!
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Comment number 3.
At 4th Feb 2012, Ilia_Koval wrote:But why it is her last post? I don't understand why you wrote farewell god bay(why don't util next)? Can someone tell me please.
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Comment number 4.
At 5th Feb 2012, Rajeeb wrote:Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for your interesting blog. You look as lovely now as you did during your college days in Paris (I've seen your present snap in your previous blog). So, it's time to say good bye to Xiaowei. I think she did a splendid job and had put down couple of really interesting blogs. I find her blogs very informative. As like many others, I hope, she won't vanish from the members area too and would keep on writing comments.
@Ilia_Koval: Well, I'll try to explain you. Every time ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ learning English selects an interested learner as a student blogger, and s/he has to write 6 blogs on various subjects of their interest. A teacher is assigned against them who monitors her blogs and advise the required correction in terms of grammar, usage of words and others. The sole aim of this, I guess, is to give everyone a fair chance. This is the second time I am seeing such farewell message here. If you're interested to be such a blogger, I am sure you'll find a link somewhere in this page that will give your further information. Wish you a great day!
Best Wishes,
Rajeeb
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Comment number 5.
At 5th Feb 2012, Ilia_Koval wrote:Thank you Rajeeb for your explain. I thought that people write blogs and a manitor correct them. Thank you to found time to explain me.
Best Wishes you to.
Ilia (from Russian, I saw that people like to write from where they are).
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Comment number 6.
At 5th Feb 2012, Emat from Kazakhstan wrote:Hi Rajeeb, I'm not sure about 6 blogs only; quantity of blogs within a month is unlimited for students, even if you will write every day. It was so before, at least.
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Comment number 7.
At 8th Feb 2012, Ompputhecat wrote:Hello Jennifer,
I'm a new member here and I try to cope with a homework you gave us.
I haven't been abroad a much but I can give some hints for travellers.
The best way to learn foreign language is to use it. Speaking foreign language is only way to learn speak it and same thing it is with writing. Only using the language you will learn it. People can study foreign language at school, but if they don't use it, they will forgot the most they have learned.
When you are in a foreign country it's fun to go to the situations where you have to use the foreign language. Go to buy a newspaper every morning, they are not expensive. As you are buying a newspaper ask something a seller. For example, ask him to tell what he thinks about world politics or who is going to win the next football match. Be creative and active, use your imagination. Be little bit grazy if it helps. It's not matter where you use the foreign language, important is that you use it. People wont bite you if you say something incorrectly. I think that people are very helpful and nice if you need something. Personally I have had this kind of experienxes abroad. You don't have to be perfect with the foreign language.
Well that was my hint. You need to be active when you are abroad. Different cultures are very exciting. Don't use your time abroad by watching telly in your hotel room.
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Comment number 8.
At 10th Feb 2012, talatsalameh wrote:Hello jennifer,
I liked your input so much. I was in Paris long time ago. It is really fabulous!!
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