Relocating to a new country, even temporarily, is a transformative journey that comes with both challenges and opportunities. As a Spanish volunteer in Bulgaria, I’ve had to face the difficulties of moving to a place compleatly, where even the alphabet is entirely different from what I’m used to!
My first piece of advice for adapting to this new life we’re building is to practice patience and self-compassion. Everyone adjusts at their own pace. You might notice others making friends faster or more easily, but remember, you don’t truly know what’s going on in their minds or what struggles they may be facing. So, take a deep breath, give yourself time and, when you’re ready, embrace openness. Say yes to new plans and experiences, and allow yourself to explore things you’ve never tried before, you might discover passions you never expected.
Bulgarian culture is very different from Spanish. The language barrier is significant, but beyond that, our societies have evolved with distinct moral values, social behaviors, and even political views. Did you know that Bulgarians shake their head to say “yes” and nod to say “no”? These small but fascinating cultural differences are part of what we need to adjust to when living abroad. Once again, tolerance, patience, and an open mind are essential to understanding and accepting that not everyone shares the same values, and that’s perfectly okay, as long as those differences don’t harm others.
From the outside, this process might seem overwhelming or even scary, especially if you’ve never solo travelled before. But in the end, you’ll emerge as a new version of yourself, shaped by your choices, and you’ll likely be proud of the new person you’ve become.
Living abroad develops a range of valuable skills, such as resilience, adaptability, curiosity, problem-solving, and self-reliance. These aren’t just tools for navigating life in a foreign country, they’re qualities that will enrich every aspect of your future, wherever life takes you next!