Afoot and light-hearted I take to the
open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long
brown path before me leading wherever I choose.
…
Allons! whoever you are come travel with
me!
Traveling
with me you find what never tires…
Walt Whitman, ‘Song of the Open Road’
Until recently the thought of uprooting
and setting up home for a year in France has filled me with all manner of
emotions, ranging from nervous trepidation to moments of startled panic.
If asked to summarize my thoughts on the
impending Year Abroad in 3 points, my answer would probably look something like
this:
1.
Loneliness and Homesickness– Skype just isn’t good enough.
2.
Forever the English girl – My French just isn’t convincing.
3.
Tea (or lack of) – A year in country with a penchant for le café.
All very far from the sheer energy and
enthusiasm of Whitman’s traveller, who in a rousing cry summons every man and
woman to no longer stay sleeping or dallying, but instead take to the open
road. Despite hurling us along with a tireless rhythm and persistent
imperatives, I can’t help but think Whitman must have a point. He captures the excitement of the adventure that is starting a journey. The opportunity to discover new places, forge new friendships, adopt a new culture and language. Indeed, an exhilarating freedom of a new path stretched out ahead and the endless possibility of what could lie at its end.
Sounds terrifying... especially to someone known for a fear of change and chronic indecisiveness. However,the Year Abroad, the phantom spoken of for the last two years and heralded "the best year of your degree/formative years/life" has to be faced, whether you are the most fervent backpacker or would rather stay at home where the milk tastes nicer and it is acceptable to fill awkward silences by mentioning the weather. Faced with a lack of choice in the matter, it seems embracing the beast is the best (or only) option. Enthusiasm it is then. Before you know it your new afoot and light hearted attitude has transformed the impending leap into the unknown into something a lot less frightening, and a lot more fun.
Taking inspiration from the rallying cry, and adopting an altogether more positive attitude, I tried sentiments on the year in Alsace, Take Two:
1. New people, new opportunities –
you’ve made friends before, you’ll do it again.
2. Parlez-vous francais? Speak French,
think French. You can’t be French,
but you can have fun pretending.
3. Change is good for you – tea aside,
trying new things is what it’s all about.
This is not to say it will all be easy -
so full of conversation with the locals and nice cheese that anxieties will
disappear, family and friends won’t be missed, or routine longed for. However,
in remembering the excitement amongst the nerves, and importantly not expecting
French miracles of myself too soon, the upcoming adventure appears a little
less daunting. Admittedly not yet crying “Allons!”
with reckless abandon, this once reluctant traveller is now ready for that open road. You could even say I'm looking forward to it.
