What was the best thing about being involved?
I initially joined the association in my twenties. Having moved countries, I wanted to find a way to get to know people and practice the language. As I became more accustomed to the language, I found myself entering the spirit of the culture. Immersing myself amongst native speakers gave me an authentic insight into local customs and traditions, and helped me to feel less lonely in a new and foreign environment.
Being able to converse and communicate with people in another language is also an invaluable skill. I find it amazing that coming together as a group with a common purpose can break down even the toughest barriers to communication between people. The prospect of making friends and meeting new people really added to my motivation for learning the language, and provided an encouraging environment in which to do so.
What was the biggest challenge?
I didn’t speak the language so well at the beginning, so I couldn’t always follow all of the conversations, especially when it came to slang and jokes. I didn’t know their references or the cultural context for their opinions. Also, their traditions were quite different from mine, so sometimes I made some faux pas along the way. And I guess I always felt like a bit of an outsider, even though I knew that they liked me and we had fun together.
What was the legacy in your life?
It was a wonderful way to connect with the people and the culture, and definitely enhanced my entire experience abroad. Watching other young people from a different culture interacting with each other “in the wild”, it felt like I had a window into the soul of the country.