Hello and welcome to my podcast My Life and Other Funny Stories. My name is Dagmar Tomášková, I am an English tutor and coach and I created this podcast for English students who want to improve their oral comprehension. As always you can find the transcription of this episode and vocabulary list in the notes of the podcast. 

Today I want to talk to you about something close to my heart: going somewhere new. Going to a different country and staying there for some time. Because I know that a lot of you, who are listening, would like to do it someday. Whether it is to study abroad, start a new job in a foreign country, or just head off on an adventure and travel, there are a few things I would like to tell you before you go. 

I mean, in no way I am the expert. I haven’t lived in any foreign country for years or travelled extensively but I was studying in France for 4 months and worked two summers abroad – once in Scotland and once in Iceland so I feel like I have something to say that could be useful for you. Maybe I can also give you some courage to do it. So let’s go.

No. 1: The time is now and it won’t come by itself

I need to say, that I am not a very adventurous person and if you think that you need to be extroverted, perfectly prepared, and just outright outgoing personality, no you don’t. I am a person who postpones things, who says – I will just go someday, it doesn’t have to be now. Or that there will be a better time, there will be a better point in my life and if it is meant to be, the perfect opportunity will come. Sorry to disappoint you but no, it won’t. If you aren’t super lucky, the opportunities won’t come to you. You have to find them. No one offered me a job in Scotland, I didn’t come across any ad for a work agency offering a job position or any of that. I had to proactively decide to go to Scotland and look for a job to find it. If you want to go somewhere, you are the one in charge. You have to be the one to take the steps necessary.

No.2: Be ready for culture shock

Let’s talk a little bit about culture shock—because no matter how prepared you think you are, it’s going to hit you. I remember landing in France for my Erasmus year, thinking, “I speak some French, I’ve visited before, I’m going to be fine! If anything, I can just speak English” And then, bam! It hit me. The everyday things—the way people greet each other with kisses on the cheek, the fact that shops close in the middle of the day for a long lunch and also no, you can’t go to the supermarket on Sunday because EVERYTHING is closed. There will always be things that will surprise you so don’t feel bad if you aren’t prepared for everything.

The key is to expect the unexpected. You can read all the guidebooks you want, but living in a country for a longer period of time is different from visiting it. So just go with the flow, and accept that awkward moments will be part of the journey.

3. The language barrier isn’t just about words

You think you managed the basics, but there’s a whole world of surprising things that no language app can teach you. Whether it is the French language and the way young people speak – by that, I mean that I didn’t understand almost anything when someone was talking to me because not only were they shortening everything but they were using slang words I didn’t know or even English and just talking with my American friends the whole day. It is also the difference in the sense of humor and small non-verbal communication that is just different with every nationality. 

But here’s a tip: Don’t get discouraged. Instead, observe and adapt. You’ll learn more by watching how people interact than from anything you’ll read. Just remember, even when you don’t speak the same language fluently, kindness and respect go a long way.

4. It can be extremely overwhelming in the beginning

If it is your first time traveling abroad and planning on staying there for a longer period of time, the beginnings are not easy.  Maybe you are super excited to go somewhere. But arriving after the whole day of travels into the new environment, feeling like a fish out of its waters, the feeling of anxiety can come. I remember arriving in France and walking to my small room after the whole day of traveling and dealing with some stupid complications, I sat down on my bed, I didn’t have data or wifi yet and so I was sitting there in silence, feeling so so lonely, feeling so far away from anyone I knew. I felt like someone was squeezing my heart in a hand and it was really difficult to breathe for a second.  All I wanted was to see someone I recognized again as I knew that I wouldn’t see anyone from my family or friends for the next few months. 

This feeling is uncomfortable. Especially if you want to stay there for even a longer period of time than just a few months. And the next days were also difficult. Trying to find the rhyme and reason of everything, and orient myself in the system, I felt like I was drowning. But every new day was a little less difficult than the previous and with time, it really got better. So if you arrive somewhere and feel like you bit more than you could chew (that means that you do something you were not ready for), give it time and remember what I am saying now – it is going to be okay, you got this and it is normal to feel this way. You are not alone.

5.People will surprise you

Let’s be honest—no matter how much you’ve heard about the local people, you never really know what to expect. The French, for instance, are often stereotyped as being a bit cold, especially to tourists. But after a few months of living there, I learned that the French can be incredibly warm and friendly. 

In Scotland, it was really easy to start small talk with Scottish guests of the hotel where I was working. They loved sitting in the common room in the evenings just chatting about anything. And even though it was sometimes quite difficult to understand them because of their accent, they were super friendly from the get-go.

So, don’t be discouraged by first impressions. Every culture has its specific nuances, and people are generally kind when you approach them with respect and a sense of humor. Plus, if you make a fool of yourself, well, that’s just part of the fun.

6.You will miss home and that is okay

I know we all like to think of ourselves as adventurous and brave, but there will come a moment when homesickness kicks in. For me, it was many times during my stays in France, Scotland or Iceland. Just the knowledge that I am physically so far away hurt a little. I guess, home is where the heart is and for me, my heart is always here, in the Czech Republic. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the landscapes are or how many new friends you’ve made—there’s always that moment when you just want to be at home or to see your family in person, not only on the screen of your phone.

But here’s the good news: homesickness means you’re growing. You’re learning to appreciate what you have back home while adapting to something new. You’re becoming braver, and when you finally do go home, you’ll see it with new eyes. Trust me, when I arrived back after spending a few months abroad, I was so grateful for all the Czech signs and hearing the Czech language from people standing next to me. It gave me a sense of home and unity. So, let yourself feel those moments of sadness, but don’t let them hold you back. You have things to experience!

7. Things will go wrong- and that is part of the fun

Here’s one thing I can guarantee: not everything will go according to plan. I can’t even count how many times I’ve messed up. A lot of the things I didn’t even share because they were too embarrassing for me.

The truth is, these mistakes make the best stories. When you look back, you’ll remember the things going wrong more than the perfectly planned moments. So, embrace the chaos. When things go wrong, just laugh it off. Trust me, that is the way the best stories are made.

So, before you head off to your next big adventure—whether it’s for studying, working, or just exploring—remember that it won’t be perfect. But that’s what makes it exciting. You’ll learn, grow, make mistakes but also unforgettable memories. And when you’re standing in a foreign country, remember that you’re in the middle of a story you’ll tell for the next few years.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode and don’t forget that you can find the transcription and vocabulary list in the notes. Please give it a five-star rating if you liked it and I will see you next time, bye-bye.