Arriving in a new country, speaking a different language and learning about distinct customs and ways of life can pose challenges to living in other parts of the world. My first time ever living outside the U.S. was when I studied abroad for one semester in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Not only did I feel homesick for my family and friends at times, but I also missed foods (like peanut butter) and U.S. traditions (like Thanksgiving) that weren't the same in Bolivia. I found, however, that once I became closer with my host family and friends in my program, I felt happier and more comfortable in my new environment.
Before coming to Colombia, I expected that I would experience many of the same feelings of homesickness and cultural difference that I had felt during my time in Bolivia. As it turned out, I was correct. When my plane first landed in Medellín, I felt a sense of strangeness because I look different, speak a different native language and have different cultural customs than most locals in this city. I was afraid that I wouldn't fit in or know how to behave respectfully according to Medellín's cultural norms. Plus, the city is so big that I knew it would take a while to get to know the different areas of the city.
My prior experience in Bolivia taught me that I couldn't hide from my fears, though.
