Once upon a time, I was naïve. I believed in the myth: “If you lived in a city, you would become fluent in that language.” I never experienced language barrier or cultural shock before and people always talk about how ‘immersion’ is so easy. You always hear how people say that when you’re immersed in the language, you start picking it up and voila! – one day you become fluent!
I really believed it and the first chance I got, I took it. That opportunity arrived in 2012. I was given the opportunity to work and live in a small French city and I thought, this is it! No one would speak to me, so I would learn much more quickly and be so much more proficient.
Well, let me tell you: I was wrong. I was so wrong.
That one year became the most isolated year I have ever experienced in my life. Language learning was nothing but easy.
These were the three mistakes that I made while living abroad:
Language Learning takes Effort and Time
Language learning is just like anything else. It does not come without hard work. It takes effort, dedication and a lot of time. Trying to pull words that you never used before in your life does not happen miraculously. Just because I hear words everyday, it does not mean I understand. Heck, I didn’t even know the context of what was going on most of the time!
To help me survive in the city, I used to have several dictionary apps on my phone. When I went to the grocery stores, I would pull out my phone and literally have to look at words that I did not know to understand the packaging and making sure this is the product I was looking for.
Simple, mundane tasks suddenly became difficult and confusing. Even something like asking directions, I had to “string words” together (i.e. looking up the dictionary) before even daring to open my mouth. Slowly through these practical and contextual acts did I finally remembered some vocabulary and sentences in the long run. And yes, I finally did learn some French!
obpia30 / Pixabay
The Expat Bubble
It’s easy to be an expat and to stay within your own expat bubble. I get it. When you don’t speak the language, making friends can sometimes seem impossible. It’s natural to want to stay in your ‘comfort zone’ – to have friends who are in similar situations as you, someone who speaks English and eats the food that you are accustomed to. It makes life easy.
But if you’re going to live a life that is no different than the one at home, then really, what’s the point of living so far? Why did you travel miles and miles away to be in a new life? Aren’t you there for an adventure? The problem is when you stick to the expat bubble, you do not learn very much about the local culture. You go to the expensive Western restaurants, get your burger and pasta fix, and then go home to the Internet and be connected to the rest of your friends at home. Then when you leave the city in a few months or in a few years, you really don’t know anything about the local people or the city.
Isn’t that so ironic?
kaicho20 / Pixabay
The Curse of the Internet
The Internet can really be a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it connected me to my family and friends via social network and Skype. On the other hand, it was an easy escape route. When I was on the Internet, nothing on the outside world mattered.
Suddenly, life was easier. I had no more language barrier and I was comfortable. Too comfortable. It was the same trap as the expat bubble – I was in my own world.
Sure, it was great to stay connected, but in order to enjoy the experience of living abroad, I need to be out there. Not on my computer screen. I think that was a big lesson: to strike a balance between the inside and outside world.
Tumisu / Pixabay
In travel blogs, we all hear about the amazing things in moving to a new city, a new country and how they experienced a new culture. Sure, it can be amazing, but no one ever said it was easy. There is nothing in life that doesn’t come with a price. I wish someone told me about the difficulties that I could face, and the different hardships I could experience.
But only a personal experience is the most authentic one.
I know now, nothing could have prepared me. I just had to see it myself.
And I’m glad I did.
I’m Charmaine, and I’ve lived abroad since 2012. My blog is to provide you the resources to help you move and survive in a new country. How did I get started? Find out 
Awesome post! Even bring an expat in an English speaking country you still experience versions of what you’ve mentioned. I totally agree with the you just have to live it and there isn’t really anything that can prepare you for it.
Thanks! You’re absolutely right. Beyond language, there can be culture shock, and as I learned later on, can still be confusing. Then, add on the local slangs and the way they do things and it’s an absolute puzzle! Thanks for reading.
The local slang can be so hard sometimes I always get caught out!
Life has changed so much from when I was last immersed in a language and culture completely different from my own. I traveled in the Soviet Union when it was still Soviet (which tells you how long ago it was). No language apps, no Internet and my Russian was kind of terrible. But I was like you and thought that I would just magically get better because it was all around me. Um, no. I did not get better. Although I will say that things did start to click a little bit more after a few weeks because I started to recognize the way that people asked questions, my actual accented responses back to them were probably still terrible even when I left. Ha, live and learn. But kudos to you for trying! Pinned!
Wow! That was a long time ago! Good on you for trying as well! I’m glad you can relate. The one thing that never changes is that people still assumes you will be automatically fluent – but nope! We’ve been through it and know it’s not magic! Thanks for reading!
Loved reading this! I’m hoping to spend some time in Paris and this is so valuable!
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I’ve spent my time in Paris also and it was really tough. My best tips: try to practice as much French as you can before you go and never give up! The effort will pay off, but endure the difficulties no matter what!
Well immersion definitely helps with language but it’s not all there is. Immersion helps put what you’re learning to use.
That is very true and I learned the hard way!
So true, and thank you for dispelling the myth of just being able to pick up a language by being there. If someone becomes “fluent” in a year, they’re either under 10 years old or are REALLY hard workers. No shortcuts!