5 Things to Consider if you are Moving Abroad

Have you notice something different? I have my own domain now! I’m actually so happy, it took me so long and so many error messages but I finally got it.

Anyways, you may or may not know that I had live abroad for 5 and half years which has been the most amazing experience in my life. Living abroad changes your entire head and to me is one of those things that has really shaped me. I’m really hoping to still do some moving once I finish uni. Here are a few things that I learned about moving abroad:

¿Notan algo diferente? ¡Ahora tengo mi propio domain! Estoy muy contenta, tarde mucho y después de muchos mensajes de error, por fin lo tengo.

Quizás sepas que viví en el extranjero por 5 años y medio los cuales fueron las mejores experiencias de mi vida. Vivir afuera te cambia la cabeza y es una de esas cosas que en serio me convirtió en la persona que soy. Espero volver a vivir afuera una vez que termine la universidad. Acá hay un par de cosas que aprendí viviendo afuera:

Learn about the new culture

I didn’t do this before moving into any of the countries I lived and I highly regretted. I say before you move read the countries Wikipedia page or try finding a few posts on pinterest, there are plenty! I’ve been saving a few for some of the country I want to move one day. It is a great way to be prepare to what you might approach and understand the country better.

Aprende sobre la nueva cultura

No hice esto antes de mudarme a ningún país y me arrepiento bastante. Creo que antes de mudarte tenes que leer su página de Wikipedia o buscar en pinterest sobre el país, ¡hay millones! Estoy guardando varios posts en pinterest de los países que me quiero mudar algún día. Es una gran manera para prepararse a lo que te vas a enfrentar y entender el mejor el país.

Pay attention to what others are doing

An important thing I’ve learned was to watch locals. See how they act, see what they are doing so you can imitate. Cultures are different, every country is different so try and pay attention to what others are doing before you act. For example, Paraguayans greet by giving two kisses on the cheek while argentineans we give a kiss on the cheek, so if I had gone right away to greet people I would have experienced a rather awkward situation.

Prestar atención a lo que hacen los demás

Algo importante que aprendí es: observar a los locales. Ver cómo actúan, ver que hace para imitarlos. Las culturas son diferentes, todos los países son diferentes, así que trata de prestar atención cómo actúan los otros antes de actuar. Por ejemplo, en Paraguay para saludar a la gente se le da dos besos en el cachete mientras que en Argentina es uno solo, mirar lo que hacía la gente me evito un cruce muy incómodo.

Listen

This one is kind of like the previous one. But make sure you listen to people, not only to learn about the culture but also, they have interesting stories. I really love listening to people from different countries, and their stories. You learn so much about new cultures, which can be pretty interesting.

Escuchar

Está es parecida a la anterior. Pero asegúrate de escuchar a las personas, no solo para aprender de ellos sino también porque tienen historias interesante. Me encanta escuchar a gente de otros países y sus historia. Puedes aprender tanto, sobre otras culturas especialmente, y puede llegar a ser muy interesante.

Respect the culture

Cultures are really important to people. Don’t laugh, don’t make fun of it because people would be offended. No matter how strange or absurd something might sound, respect it. A lot of people consider their culture part of their identity, so don’t laugh or disrespect it, you’ll only get on their bad side.

Respeta la cultura

Las culturas son importante para las personas. No te rias de ellas, no hagas chistes de ellas porque las personas se puede ofender. No importa que tan raro o absurdo suene algo, respetalo. Muchas personas consideran su cultura parte de su identidad, no te rías o le faltes el respeto, solo vas a dar una mala impresión.

Be open minded

Cultures and traditions can be really strange or random, be open to them. Like the previous item, don’t make fun of it. Be sure you are really ready to have what you are use to change or leave behind some traditions you had. For example, we eat really late here in Argentina and I know most people from the USA had to get use to that ones they moved here.

Tener una mente abierta

Las culturas y las tradiciones pueden ser extrañas o inesperadas, se abierto a ellas. Cómo el ítem anterior, no te burles. Además, asegurate de estar listo a cambiar algunos hábitos y dejar alguna tradición que tenías en casa. Por ejemplo, en Argentina es normal comer tarde y se que muchos que vienen de EEUU tiene que acostumbrarse a eso cuando se mudan aca.

Have you ever lived abroad?

Love

Pili

Follow me: Twitter//Instagram//Tumblr

How to survive your first year at university

This week I started my second year at university. Even though, last year was a hard one, I’m starting this one with high spirit and hoping to be a better one. Luckily I was able to survive, not by myself with a lot of help from friends and family, and in case you are a freshmen this year and you feel completely lost, which we all did, here are a few tips to get by your first year.

                                                                              

  1.    Use an agenda.

I know I’ve been saying this a lot but, an agenda helps you so much, especially in the first year. You’ll get ask for assignments, reading, exams, etc. an agenda will help you to remind you once you get home.

   2.      Re read your class.

It took me a while to realize how helpful this is. Not only are you getting yourself a head for the exam, but when you get back to class you will not be so lost.

  3.    Don’t stack up work.

I think it is so much better to do your homework as soon as you get it, because then you’ll get more and more work, but little time. So it is always better to do your work as soon as possible.

  4.    Take some time off, everyday

Everyday remember to take some time off to do something you like. Do not spend all day with work from university, take some time to read, go for a run or whatever you like to do. You’ll be more relax, and will go back to your assignment feeling fresh.

  5.    Buy all the materials.

Even though they cost a fortune, buy all the books you need and read them, of course.

  6.    Weekends are your days off, not every day.

This year, I promised myself I was hanging out with friends only on weekends, last year I will get distracted and do not do my homework. Even tough lunch with friends sounds amazing on Wednesday, you’ll stack up on work. By the way, if this is your activity to get your mind off, go ahead.

  7.    Learn to fail and learn from that.

You will fail, and you’ll hate it but you will eventually learn from your mistake. Maybe you didn’t study enough or you did not get enough sleep, so you know for next time.

Love

Pili

5 Things I Learn the First Few Days of College

Hello! So I started college this Monday and to be honest it was less scary than I thought it was going to be. I thought I could giving some tips I learn the first week. I’m not expert about this since really is my first week, but maybe for your first few days.

1.       You are not alone. Even if you are in a big school and none of your friends are there with you, many, many people are just like you. I found a lot of girls who didn’t have any friends and told them to join my group of friends.

2.       Professors understand. They know this is a new phase for you, it can be hard and complicate. They won’t pressure you and they know you might not understand. They are also really willing to understand.

3.       You WILL get homework the first day. At least I did. But don’t worry take your time and DON’T LEAVE ANYTHING FOR LAST MINUTE.

4.       Always accept car drives and always give car drives when you can.

5.       To people who study the same as you and it the same college. They are really willing to talk to you and share their knowledge.

Kind of short but once I am more used to college I’ll share more I promise.

Love

Pili

How to Survive High School

Hello lovely people! Once again school is kicking my butt. But I decided to put this in good use and help anyone struggling with school this year or next year. Maybe, you also have the IB in your school so you have to work extra hard to catch up and do work. So here are some basic tips to survive a hard year in high school:

1.  Don’t leave anything to last minute

You probably hear this all the time. Do your assignments the day they are given to you, but you must have a lot from different subjects. I learned this the hard way, in 10^th grade I left everything for last minute, so I had math homework, Spanish essays and more due the following day and I had nothing done. Most essay they give you two week anticipation, so try doing it that day or that weekend. I did this in 11^th grade and trying to doing now, it feels way better than leaving last minute.

2.  Use an agenda

A big advice I got from older people when I started high school was to use an agenda, some school provide you with one, if not buy one and use it! They are really helpful to remember different homework and assignments.

3.  Talk to your teachers

Teachers are really willing to help. I discover that they love it when you ask question, or arrange meetings after class. So go for it! Ask as many questions as you want, talk to them as much as you can. I guarantee most of them are willing to help, and give you a pass for late classes!

4.  Work out

Al though you might think you have no time, find a little gap in your day to work out or play a sport, it is a nice way to release your tension and stress you might have from all your classes and homework’s. I know that whenever I’m stress I get cramps and by working out they go away. So try and stay active even when loaded with work!

5.  Find time to relax

Find a time every now and then to relax in any way. Take a hot shower or relax at night watch a movie or TV. Trying to forget about school for an hour or so, and then you actually have more energy to do homework.

6.  Trying not to skip school

Try to go to school every day and only skip when is extremely necessary. This is a hard one for me but I learned about it last year. Skipping school not only gives you more homework but you are behind the class and might be stuck in a certain topic. So trying to go to school every day.

7.  Be organize

Lastly, try to be as organize as possible. So people might struggle with this, but try as hard as possible. Have an organize schedule about which days you are going to do each thing. Also, keep your working place as organize as possible, so nothing bothers you or distract you. Keep your notebooks or binders, as well, organize, separate each subject and have everything in chronological order.

I hope this is helpful for many of you! Good luck to anyone in high school or any type of school!

Love,

Pili