Gaining Independence

In a new country the simplest tasks become large obstacles as you navigate your way through local customs, ways of doing things, shopping setups, etc. Add to this a situation where you are unable to communicate and make yourself understood and you will feel rather helpless! I remember spending an entire day in search of hangers, and coming home feeling extremely frustrated at not being able to find something that would have taken 10 minutes in my home country. A feeling of powerlessness and vulnerability can develop as you struggle to cope and feel a loss of your independence and sense of capability.

It is important to regain your independence as quickly as possible and reach a stage where you feel confidence in handling day to day situations.

The single most successful way of doing this is to learn the language. If possible, join a language school before you go. Make sure you learn the basics of pronunciation, how to ask for things, and understanding directions. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, but rather speak the language (however much you feel you are wrecking the grammar) as this has been shown to increase language proficiency dramatically. Watch local TV programmes. Watching the expressions on the actor’s faces and the drama unfold will help you to understand what is being said. Start reading children’s books that you will be able to follow. Reading books with pictures may feel silly, but you’ll be able to understand more easily what you read and build your vocabulary quickly.

Do some background reading on the country to familiarise yourself with some of the administrative procedures that you will need to undertake, for example how to rent property, open a bank account, etc. Many websites now have excellent information for immigrants and expatriates. Try to also read up about cultural do’s and don’ts so that you can avoid the most obvious mistakes.

Ask your company if it is possible to link you up with someone who can show you around – where to shop, how much things cost, how to use public transport, etc; or ask another expatriate to help – they are a wealth of knowledge having been through the same experience themselves.

Tiroler Küchen

This delicious cake recipe comes from the region of Tirol in Austria. It is a dense cake of nuts and chocolate – altogether delicious!

Ingredients:
200g ground hazelnuts
200 g grated chocolate
4 eggs
200g butter
200g sugar
Rind of 1 lemon
1 heaped tablespoon cinnamon
125g flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt

Method:
Mix together butter and sugar
Add egg yolks
Add cinnamon and lemon rind to the mixture
In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and nuts. Add this to other mixture.
Beat egg whites and salt, and gently fold into mixture.
Lastly, add the chocolate.
Bake for 1 hour at 180°C.
Ice the cake with chocolate icing.

Where to next?

Dreaming of Spires

Memories of my days in Oxford, where punting and historic college buildings are part of daily life.

Exploring

Planning: boon or asset?

The first time I went to Munich, I had a detailed and fast paced travel itinerary that had me seeing 7 churches in 1 day! In Venice, I wandered randomly without a plan and got hopelessly lost, nearly missing my boat.

It is quite hampering to be travelling with a rigid, over-organised plan that does not allow for spontaneous moments, surprises and the occasional hiccup. However, not planning at all means you may find yourself just simply following the other tourists with no real idea of what it is that you are seeing. After many travel holidays I have found a balance that seems to enable me to accomplish what I would like to see and do, but also allows the place I am visiting to reveal its surprises and for unexpected experiences.

I do a fair amount of reading before I go anywhere – finding out basic background to the history of the region to which I’m going, so that I have a better understanding of the culture and what shaped the land. I also try to look at photos and read up about recommended places to visit. I’ll then compile a basic list of must-see places, and a list with few optional extras. Every day when I wake up, I’ll make a decision on what I’ll do that day based on the weather and my mood. Rain? I’m off to a museum. Feeling full of energy? I’ll be climbing a bell tower. This enables me to be more flexible. I also feel quite happy to lay aside my plan if upon arriving I see something interesting and exiting going on, or a quiet lane that looks fun to explore.

Taking the pace a little more slowly also means that there is more opportunity to watch people, engage with them, relax and enjoy the local food.

I also readjust my day’s activities to suite the local daily patterns. In Spain I woke up late, had breakfast at a café, and then had a busy morning. At lunch, I’d have my main meal of the day and then return to my apartment for an afternoon snooze or to sit out on the rooftop enjoying the view. I’d go out again into town at around 4 or 5pm, and use this time to just wander wherever my nose took me, enjoy the lights at night, have a small dinner, experience the evening liveliness and get to bed quite late.

The Food Diaries

One must never be afraid to try new things... especially new foods. I've heard of American expatriates taking a hammer to a bar of chocolate in order to make chocolate chips (a commodity not available where they were living). Instead of hankering after your favourite meals from 'back home', try out local ingredients and recipes. If necessary buy a cookbook or go on a cooking course. You are sure to discover all sorts of wonderful new taste delights!


Unlike Calvin...

Two cultures within one family

My younger sister is 16 years old now, and rather proud of this fact I might add. After living in Germany for four years, she seems to me to be more German than anything else. I think this is because she has spent years very formative in creating her identity there, and this has had a profound effect on how she sees herself. At this point in their lives young adults are carving out their role in society, and finding an identity for themselves apart from their families. Peer groups are hugely important and the desire is to fit into and find a place in these groups. She has done a masterful job at this, and has a lovely group of friends and activities she is involved in.

It is apparent that two cultures exist side by side in the same household and family – that of my parents and that of my sister. There will be a difference in opinion about which football team to support, or whether the German propensity for an abundance of rules and regulations is positive or intrusive. My sister feels completely at home within the German culture; to my parents there will always be those few elements that feel foreign and awkward.

Children create their cultural identity from both their families and surroundings (friends, environment, etc) and when their parents are of a different nationality to the country they live in they will have elements of both cultures in their personal make up. Often the host country has a stronger influence on children. Have you considered the effect growing up in a different country will have on your children? Are you prepared to experience your host culture in your own home?

Lesser known Czech beauty

The little village of Cesky Krumlov in southern Czech is not as well known as its sister, Prague. It is a beautiful quaint place on an S bend in the river with a magnificent castle and cobbled streets. We visited it under a light dusting of snow.