So my assistantship in Canada has officially come to an end. I am back in the UK and have been back for a week. Do I miss Canada? YES! Am I already looking for excuses to get back there within the next few years? YES! Surely this is a sign that the time was well spent and that the programme was truly enjoyable.
Now that it has come to an end, I feel myself constantly reflecting on everything that I have learned over the past nine months and I thought I would share a few of these things with you.
1. I still don't like cooking but that's OK.
2. I may be from a big city (London) but I appreciate what a small town has to offer (thanks to my time in Matane, Quebec).
3. Learning languages is a great first step to learning about a new culture.
4. I have a travel bug. (My new hobby consists of looking up flights ... yes, flights.)
5. Sometimes you have to do things that are outside of your comfort zone to push you closer to your ultimate goal. I decided to work abroad for nine months as I didn't study abroad during my undergraduate degree. This was my way of gaining a higher level of independence whilst also working towards my career goal of being a translator/interpreter.
6. 'Home' is ultimately one place but you can feel at home in many places. Now that I have left Canada, I feel slightly as though I have left home. It is a really strange feeling. I am sure that Canada will be a place that I visit for the rest of my life because it was home for nine months. I met some great people, saw some wonderful sights and truly fell in love with the country.
Last but not least ...
7. No matter the task, whether it be big or small ... you are capable!
Would you ever study or work abroad?
