Finding a Home Away from Home
My train arrived in Bordeaux, a city I had never visited before. I was carrying my luggage brought with me from Lebanon, filled with food that my mother prepared for me. I did not have a place to stay. I had booked a hotel room for a week hoping it would be enough time to find a more suitable place. My university was going to start in a few days. All I could think about was: Am I going to enjoy it here? Life is an adventure so let’s find out!
The first days were not easy, walking through unknown streets, having no one to talk to. I called my parents every day and this was the only conversations I had for many days.
One day, two weeks after my arrival, I was walking through the city all by myself. I saw a huge endless street filled with people, shops, cafés, bars … I still remember that feeling. It was only then that I realized that there is life in this city. I was looking at the people shopping, having a coffee, or just wandering around. It was so lively. This is when I began my search and found a great InterNations Community in addition to many language exchanges and foreign meeting groups.
I’ll never forget that first event I went to. I was very happy to see people from different nationalities and countries, many of them had also just arrived. At that moment I knew I was not alone. I made great friends that night, friends that took me to discover the city and its hidden gems. I knew I had settled in. I knew I had found my place, I had my group of friends, and the city became ”friendlier” to me.
Since then, I’ve become a tour guide of the city and an InterNations Ambassador helping all the newcomers feel welcome the same way I felt welcomed.
I would advise all expats not to surrender. Every city has something to discover and has people waiting to meet you. At first, change is not easy, but when you meet these people, the transition will be much easier. Look out for them, search online groups, communities, and when you do, when you meet these like-minded people, a new page of your stay will open.
Life is an adventure, and believe me, you will have amazing stories to tell of this adventure!
Advertisement
About Said Chammas
Said was born in Lebanon and moved to Bordeaux in 2018 where he now works in the tourism industry and also as a tour guide of the city. He is an InterNations Ambassador and Consul and enjoys organizing events to bring people together because he believes that beauty is found in diversity. He is also a blogger and Youtuber where he shares his life stories and experiences.
Article topics
Related articles
A Day in the Life of an Expat in Munich
Munich is often ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world — but what’s an actual day there like? Take a peek into the life of an American living abroad in Bavaria’s capital city! From the cost of groceries to public transportation, it’s the little things that this expat appreciates!
A Wonderful Journey of Living as an Expat
Ica’s move abroad was full of excitement but still, it took her a while to make friends. After spending a lot of time with her co-workers, she decided to branch out. Read about her experience of making new friends abroad and how this has helped her to settle in.
“This is not allowed!”
As a serial expat, InterNations member Monica has learned something from every country, she has lived in. Although the experience also came with a lot of challenges, she has found a way to create a sense of belonging and connection wherever she goes. Read on to learn more about her story!
Why Expats Are Modern-Day Pioneers
From seventeenth-century settlers searching for the new world to the scientists behind groundbreaking discoveries, pioneers dominate the history books. Though their adventures may be very different, what unites all pioneers is a sense of adventure. It’s that same spirit that defines an expat.
My Expat Identity: Where Do I Belong?
When you move from country to country, your sense of self might start changing with every different culture and destination. Have you ever had the feeling you no longer know where you belong? Then you’ll probably relate to our Social Media Intern Yasmin’s story about her own expat identity.