This is a journal extract written by our Year 11 student Benito:
Moving to a new country is both exhilarating and exciting. I have only realised how strongly I am tied to my home culture as I have moved abroad. I now face a culture and a language that are markedly different to my own. I have definitely felt the change. I think I should embrace it, instead of letting it get the best of me. My foreign friends back at home have warned me that getting adjusted starts with learning and embracing all the new experiences that lie ahead. I’m an Indonesian who has lived in Jakarta for most of my life. I don’t know much about living in a foreign country. I certainly never thought I would experience living abroad, at least not while still in high school.
When I first heard that my dad had taken a job at AISB, I could not summon up the courage to pack my bags or break the news to my friends and family.
“Hey, guys! I’m peacing out and moving to a foreign land!”
However, I started thinking about the pros of moving to another country (my defence mechanism when faced with a difficult situation).
So here are my main 3 pros of moving abroad:
1. New travel opportunities. The possibilities of travel range from merely exploring my own neighbourhood to venturing beyond and embarking on an adventure to a neighbouring country.
2. Personal growth. I’ll be thrown into brand new situations and settings that may seem
intimidating and scary at first, but these are always the best way to grow as an individual.
3. Expansion of knowledge. With travel comes the power of knowledge and learning. I will constantly learn about different cultures, languages, histories as I travel to new cities.
I’ve just started a special journey. I am looking forward to all it has in store.
