Hi! I’m Charlie, a 3rd year modern language student with a compulsory year abroad. I study French, Spanish and beginners German normally at Southampton, so unlike many other students who choose to partake in a year abroad, I had the choice to split my time in two different countries. I did, in fact, choose not to do this, and spent the entirety of my time away in Rennes, Brittany. This was so that I could really get used to where I was living and truly find my feet at my new university. I was told that in many people’s experiences, it is only then that people start to make close friendships and that their language skills really do start to develop.
It’s probably worth me pointing out that it works a little differently for us language students. Whilst for everyone else, spending time overseas is completely optional, so if it isn’t your thing, it doesn’t matter and you can carry on like normal in Southampton. We don’t have this option; we rather get thrown in the deep end whether we like it or not! This probably, despite what you might think at first, is actually a good thing. Leaving your comfort zone, in my opinion anyway, is by far the best time for you to develop as a person. If your degree pathway lets you go abroad but you’re not convinced about whether it’s your thing, I’d definitely tell you to go for it. And if you want to go on a year abroad, I’d definitely ask you excitedly where you were going!
This is also something just as important as the decision to participate in a year abroad. Your destination. If you already speak a bit of French for example, it might be worth choosing France as your country to go to. See how much of the language you can learn while you’re there. Where have you always wanted to travel to? Is there somewhere you’re thinking of living in the future? Use this time away to travel and experiment a little: you might realise that your heart isn’t all in Southampton, or even Europe!
The thing people often don’t realise about this whole thing is the huge (and I mean, absolutely humungous) amount they can get out of their experience. This includes friendships – I’m meeting with my Erasmus friends soon in our Rennes-union. It of course includes learning une nouvelle langue (o tal vez varios idiomas). Participating in modules we don’t even have at Southampton was something I really enjoyed. Tuesday afternoons I had a class in Spanish historical linguistics with Madame Fortineau and although I had never studied anything like this, it was one of my favourite modules. But above all, the most I gained out of my time away was confidence. Being able to just rock up at a random airport, not knowing anyone, and not knowing an awful lot about what’s ahead, is a skill not many people have. It was truly me and my suitcase against Rennes! Luckily, once you have done it the first time, the next times feel like second nature. If it wasn’t for this skill I picked up in my year abroad, I don’t think I would ever have had the confidence to go solo travelling. Thanks to the confidence I found in Rennes, I’m now sitting in Rio de Janeiro writing this blog. This time, it was me and my suitcase against Latin America. It’s surprising how close the two experiences have been.