Doviđenja prijatelji! Goodbye for now, friends! I had an awesome experience teaching you about the small but mighty country of Serbia, from its words to its animals to its food. I hope I have inspired you to travel to new countries and experience different ways of life from our own in the United States. By living abroad or traveling, we open our minds to fresh perspectives and ways of living, and we strengthen our empathy for people living in a diverse range of countries. For example, I've learned that people prioritize spending time with family and friends over working long hours at their jobs in Serbia. Plus, the food is extremely local and healthy. Since moving here, I have gained a new understanding and appreciation for the Serbian language and the lifestyle, and I will bring these lessons back home.
Serbian is one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn—can you believe it? Serbia uses a different alphabet and has a complicated grammar system. I take Serbian lessons two times per week but still struggle to communicate with people sometimes. Nonetheless, everyone is extremely excited to hear me speak because it shows I am trying. People always tell me "polako," meaning "take it slow"!
