This is so interesting about the distance. I often wonder if my life here would be different if I was in Paris vs South for example. It definitely took me a lot longer to get integrated into local community! I really admire you doing that.
Interesting point Lucy. Sometimes I think it can actually be easier to integrate in more rural communities? I felt like in my first rural hometown in Japan (Yokote) there was much more incentive to integrate and learn the lingo than if I'd started off in the bigger city (Sendai) that I later moved to. Language ability makes such a difference when joining a community and immersion really helps - but then that assumes that lessons are available locally! I guess bigger cities may also offer the opportunity for more activities/groups you can join to meet people, and perhaps with a more transient population there are more people looking to make new friends :)
I understand your mixed feelings, Holly. How things turned out in Brussels might have been influenced by distance, but I think it was all about relationships - especially with your parents, but also yourself (and career). We have different priorities at different points in our life. You chose wisely where to spend your time and energy according to them.
Thanks so much Lisa. Yeah, prioritising relationships was definitely the big game-changer this time around (and I’d certainly not planned on a long-distance romantic relationship!) I think distance was an enabling factor for this, but the relationship with myself and career could maybe have evolved further away too (though time differences are a challenge when you’re doing UK-based training courses).
This is so interesting about the distance. I often wonder if my life here would be different if I was in Paris vs South for example. It definitely took me a lot longer to get integrated into local community! I really admire you doing that.
Interesting point Lucy. Sometimes I think it can actually be easier to integrate in more rural communities? I felt like in my first rural hometown in Japan (Yokote) there was much more incentive to integrate and learn the lingo than if I'd started off in the bigger city (Sendai) that I later moved to. Language ability makes such a difference when joining a community and immersion really helps - but then that assumes that lessons are available locally! I guess bigger cities may also offer the opportunity for more activities/groups you can join to meet people, and perhaps with a more transient population there are more people looking to make new friends :)
I understand your mixed feelings, Holly. How things turned out in Brussels might have been influenced by distance, but I think it was all about relationships - especially with your parents, but also yourself (and career). We have different priorities at different points in our life. You chose wisely where to spend your time and energy according to them.
Thanks so much Lisa. Yeah, prioritising relationships was definitely the big game-changer this time around (and I’d certainly not planned on a long-distance romantic relationship!) I think distance was an enabling factor for this, but the relationship with myself and career could maybe have evolved further away too (though time differences are a challenge when you’re doing UK-based training courses).