It has been one month since I moved to a different country and started work as an AuPair. Thus far I have updated you on all my fun weekend adventures, but not so much on my day-to-day life. Here is your chance to see my hopeful perspective on what goes on behind the scenes of spontaneous travel!
As with all big life changes, the excitement of the new is coupled with the difficulty of being separated from the old. I crave change, so many of the results of moving to Austria have been great for me. I love being in a different place, meeting new people, exploring the unknown, and facing unexpected challenges with a desire to master the struggle. I came here to learn German and travel, and that is exactly what I am doing, among other projects and goals.
But I cannot expect it all to be daisies and roses - it will not be, and that is okay! I miss my mom, my friends, and my cat. I miss the fries at Nick's English Hut. I miss Indiana University, where I took classes on a gorgeous Harry Potter campus, surrounded by thousands of other people my age every day. I do miss Bloomington, but not in a significant, heart-wrenching way. That is just a place. What I miss most is my favorite people! I want to talk with them face-to-face, study in Wells Library together, or play darts at the Upstairs Pub. I want to open my door and have my cat run down the stairs to meet me. Oh, and be the recipient of one of Elizabeth's amazing hugs.
What makes things easier is that I know everyone is doing just fine - people miss me, too, but no one is completely devastated by the fact that I am not around, and neither am I! What makes it so worth it is that I am in a position to grow through the challenges of being separated from everyone I know and finding myself in a completely new environment.
Being an AuPair is not glamorous - I do laundry, keep the kitchen clean, drive the kids around - but the benefits that come along with it are. I get my own room in a house that is located in the most beautiful part of Austria. I have a family! I am not isolated and have free room and board. I have access to a bike and this cool app called CouchSurfing through which I can meet locals my age in the city next to me. On top of all of that, I only work 18 hours a week, which means during the day when the kids are at school, or on the nights of the week when the parents are home, I have free time to read, write, bike to Klagenfurt, meet up for a coffee, go to the lake, or walk around town. Even better, I can leave early most Friday's to jumpstart my weekend travel.
I am so grateful to have found the family I am with. They are so kind and flexible (what other family would give me weekends free PLUS the ability to leave early on Friday?). The mom treats me like another child, and makes sure I have what I need here, including (most importantly) hugs. The kids are fairly independent and disciplined, and we get along well. I enjoy talking to and spending time with all of them.
Nothing about this job feels like a burden. It is all a gift. My experience living in Austria would not be the same without this family and my position (not to mention my stipend on top of having almost zero expenses).
Was I scared at first? Did I have doubts once I arrived? Yes, of course. Once the initial excitement of change wore off, I began to wonder if I had made the right choice, one that would allow me to meet the goals I had set for my year abroad. I was worried that by living in a small town, from which travel is more costly and takes longer since flying every weekend is not affordable, I would feel too isolated and not be able to go everywhere I wanted. I was worried that learning "Austrian" German would not be the same or as valuable as "Hoch Deutsch." These things felt like roadblocks at first, but as time went on and the anxieties wore off, I began to realize they were just minor challenges that meant I would have to adapt in other ways to meet my goals. And my goals are being met! Just because some realities are different than my initial expectations does not mean I cannot do what I set out to do. I am truly so fortunate to have been given this version of an opportunity to be abroad.
There will continue to be tough times, days when I miss my mom or my cat, or strange feelings of "What am I doing?" or "What will I do next?" But these issues will exist wherever I am, whether that be my physical location or place in life. The key is finding contentment with today, with right now, making the most of these precious moments and expressing gratitude for all the wonderful opportunities and gifts that have been given to me.
One glorious assurance is that I do not have to prove myself to anyone, and that no farewell's or physical separation is permanent. A close friend once told me that even though goodbye's are difficult, there is no final goodbye for people who are meant to see each other again, who are important to each other. So, to the people I left back at home: see you again soon. And, to the people I have already met and will meet here: let's make the most of this year!
Comments