Home away from home -- How can we make it? | Sara Vicari | TEDxYouth@ISF

TL;DR

Moving abroad for university is more than just academics; it's a transformative journey of open-mindedness, independence, maintaining identity while adapting, and finding a support system away from home.

Transcript

[Applause] if someone told us we were going to live in a cold country with gray weather bad food away from your family friends and everything you know is a reality let's be honest it would sound more like a depressing Netflix movie than an opportunity that was the worry of my 17-year-old self as I moved to London to pursue my law degree I packed my... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤗 Open-mindedness is a vital quality to develop when living abroad, as it fosters connections and appreciation for diverse cultures.
• 👻 Finding personal balance and independence is a necessary part of the experience, allowing individuals to navigate the demands of academic and professional life.
• 👶 Maintaining one's identity while adapting to a new culture is possible by treasuring both our own roots and appreciating the new culture's offerings.
• 🫒 Building a support system is crucial for emotional well-being and success while living abroad.
• 🤳 Moving abroad for university offers transformative opportunities for growth, resilience, and self-discovery.
• 🤪 Living abroad goes beyond academics and provides a unique opportunity to become a citizen of the world.
• 🤗 Living in a new country may initially feel overwhelming, but embracing the journey with open arms can lead to stimulation and excitement.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can living abroad help us become more open-minded?

Living abroad provides the opportunity to bond with people from all over the world, appreciate different cultures and values, and become citizens of the world. It goes beyond simple travel and fosters deeper understanding and acceptance of diversity.

Q: What is the importance of finding personal balance and independence while living abroad?

Moving abroad often means starting fresh and leaving our comfort zones. By redefining ourselves and embracing independence, we learn to manage various aspects of life, including academics, work, chores, and personal growth. This self-discovery is crucial in making the most of the experience.

Q: How can we maintain our identity while adapting to a new culture?

It is possible to be a global citizen without compromising our roots. By treasuring our own identities and appreciating a different culture, we can find harmony between adaptation and preservation. Supporting aspects of our home culture, while also exploring and appreciating the new culture, allows for a beautiful journey of self-discovery.

Q: How important is it to find a support system when living abroad?

Creating a support system is essential for navigating the challenges of living abroad. The friends we make at university become our pillars, offering understanding, empathy, and celebration during both academic and personal triumphs. Involvement in different student societies and groups can help in building this support system.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Moving to London for university, the speaker initially worried about homesickness and feeling lonely in a foreign country.

• After four years of studying and working abroad, the speaker developed a "secret recipe" for maximizing the experience of living abroad.

• This recipe includes open-mindedness, finding personal balance and independence, maintaining identity while adapting to a new culture, and finding support and a sense of home away from home.