Here I go...

Here I go….

So, with it being 2 days (!) until I move to Tübingen and begin my year abroad in Germany and then Russia, I would start as I mean to go and write my first ever blog post. Try to contain your excitement. Haha. ANYway, my plan is to use this blog as a way to keep people updated as well as myself occupied. Oh, and to explain the name of the blog, my flatmate and I have often joked about how going on a ‘year abroad’ is bound to make us cooler/more edgy… you can let me know what your reckon when I get back. :P

Because I am a bit loser-ish, and my creative writing skills have evidently not progressed since I was at primary school, I have decided to write a summary of what I am nervous and/or excited about heading off to Tübingen using the letters of the place name. I.e. T-U-B-I-N-G-E-N. I will take each letter to form a German word that conveys some aspect of how I’m feeling. Cringey, yet somehow brilliant, don’t you think?!

Right, let’s go.

T is for Traum (Dream)

I suppose this could be interpreted in two different ways. On the one hand, to study languages at a place like Cambridge and get a chance to learn those languages is a ‘dream’, an opportunity I am extremely grateful for. On the other hand, the whole idea of living away still feels unreal and like a ‘dream’. Well, how else do I justify my complete lack of packing or proper organisation?!

U is for Ungewissheit (Uncertainty)

There are many things that I won’t be able to sort out or even find out before I head of on 12^th, practically, academically, socially. There is it that lingering unease that comes before any major event that one has very little control over which I look forward to shaking once I move in to my new room!

B is for Bekanntschaft (Acquaintance)

The longest I have ever been in Germany was during my gap year for around 5 weeks when I worked as an au-pair/ got to play silly games and eat lots of cake. I hope that by spending 5 ½ months in Germany I will gain much more familiarity with the people and culture as well as the language. I also am really excited and nervous about making friends in a second language, and how that will be.

I is for Interesse (Interest)

One thing I am really looking forward to is seeing how Germany and England compare: in terms of outlook, student life, what church is like etc. Germany is also just interesting for its own sake, historically, culturally… and Tübingen is WELL pretty, from what I remember.

N is for Nervösität (Nervousness)

Will I be able to understand people? Will I enjoy my course? What if people think I am being rude when I’m being sarcastic? Haha. These are just a few of the pressing concerns I have.

G is for Glück (Luck)

Pretty self-explanatory- I get to go away for a year and try something new!

E is for Entschiedenheit (Decisiveness)

Something I will hopefully gain whilst away. :P

N is for Neuheit (Novelty)

Having moved quite a lot as a child, the first few days/weeks in a place are pretty exciting as everything is so new and unfamiliar. I look forward to discovering all the randomness that Tübingen has to offer.

I should probably go and pack. Over and out. x