Exchange // some fundamental truths about studying abroad

Ahhh I was about to complain that I haven't visited enough cities and places on my exchange, but then I--

Moscow

St Petersburg

Kazan

Kursk

Ekaterinburg

Velikiy Novgorod

Reims

And a few good old Russian villages in between.

I'd say it’s a pretty good collection of places under my travel sleeve.

Never mind then :)

And a 32-hour train ride halfway across Russia too! That's an accomplishment, to say the least, I reckon.

It has truly been a journey of Russian culture, landscape and self-discovery.

Anyways.

Right now, the roomie has headed back home for Christmas before exams, and the apartment feels lonely and more oppressive than ever.

I can seriously start a series called The Chronicles of Nina and the Oppressive Apartment. I'm that affected. Hence am sitting in the Mickey and Monkey's café.

Oh wow. As I'm writing this, I thought this one person sitting across the room was also a lonely person, an hour later a guy comes and gives her a flower and sits down with her.

So it really is just me. Lol.

Anyways, back to the topic of truths and exchange.

There comes a time on exchange where you get comfortable. DO NOT DO IT. DON'T FALL FOR IT.

I'M TELLING YOU IT’S A TRAP.

It's the lull of getting used to your surroundings, keeping to the places you've already discovered and walking along the same path there and back to boring uni classes. So basically - just plainly accepting the things around you and the fact that you're living in a country miiiiiiiiiiiles away from your family at home and everything that is truly familiar.

How can I just accept that fact? It's absolute lunacy whenever I step out of my own little head and remember that OH RIGHT my generous parents supported me in going on exchange for 7 months, how can I possibly have the audacity to say that I'm bored of my surroundings?

So that's the first fundamental truth.

The second fundamental truth we will launch into is exchange and loneliness.

Just think about it: you are flying away from your hometown and family, by yourself, to study towards your degree by yourself and to make decisions based on your needs, wants and limitations.

Although you're supported by your exchange friends going through the same experiences as you, you're the one looking out for yourself. And ultimately you're the one that has to have your own back.

And this is why I loved this experience. It has taught me what I like and dislike, how to connect with people that come from the other side of the world and how to live and survive on my own.

Honestly, it's not that hard. It just gets a bit boring by yourself and kinda tedious (does anyone want to help me with the dishes???). But other than that, buying food, transport, money and budgeting is much the same as at home. You just need to learn how to balance that are you are good to go.

It all sounds so cliché, and no doubt you've heard it countless times from every person on exchange, but it really does tick off all the boxes related to self-discovery.

In conclusion to this post, you're probably wondering what solutions and concrete warranties I can give you to surpass these difficulties or hurdles.

The fact is that you've gotta live through it to see what you're capable of handling, how much social interaction you need and how strong you really are.

My advice to you is - just do it.