Before I moved away, I was told that in your year abroad, you need to throw caution to the wind, let loose, go wild, leave your plans to the whims of strangers, all for the chance to squeeze in a few words in your target language.
Sounds like a bloody nightmare.
If, like me, you are somewhat wary of strangers, are maybe less than thrilled about exploring unknown places on your own at night, and would prefer to actually feel comfortable in your skin on a daily basis (an unreasonable list of demands, I know), then I have some wonderful news for you. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to reinvent your entire personality to learn a language! Shock-horror!
Since arriving in Cairo 5 weeks ago, I have been revelling in even the smallest Arabic interactions. A “no thanks, I don’t want a bag,” or a “mint tea please!” will suffice as I find my feet. On top of that, I’ve been to see an Egyptian opera singer, found friends to teach me Arabic poetry, and navigated a near impossible bureaucracy to get a visa. More will come with time, but I will celebrate every win for now.
I may not be moving at a thousand miles an hour, but taking it slowly gives my language skills the necessary space and time to flourish. Strangely enough,I tend to draw a blank on verb conjugations and vocab lists when my immediate safety or comfort is compromised.
If you have just moved abroad, moved to Edinburgh, or started learning a new language at uni (I see you, Arabic 2 students – good luck), take it easy on yourself. I’m sure you don’t need a random stranger to tell you you’re doing well, but I guess you can write to the editors if you need a kiss on the forehead. Relish in taking life slowly, and you’ll find your world expanding on your own terms.
Illustration via Emily Lucas