Hi everyone, I’m Ellie, and I’m happy to welcome you to my blog.
I have now been abroad for a month, far away from my family, my friends and everything familiar, speaking a foreign language. That may sound terrible, because feeling lost is exhausting and takes a lot of energy. Several times, I have asked myself why I made this decision. Was it because I was looking for adventure? Because I wanted to rediscover myself and find a future that truly suits me? Or was it an unconscious choice?
The answer is unclear. Maybe it was a little bit of everything, or none of those things. I wonder whether I will have found the answer by the end of the year, but is that really so important? Why not enjoy the uncertainty of youth for a little longer? Yes, as a great romantic when it comes to life, I love getting lost every now and then. It allows me to discover new paths, meet unfamiliar people and find parts of myself that had been hidden beneath the thick cloud of comfort.
Perhaps the answer lies in this very thought. Did I not simply want to get lost in a new world in order to discover something new? Probably. But let’s put these questions aside for a moment and look at the path that brought me here.
As I said, I have been living a new life for a month now. At the beginning, I learned an incredible amount in a short space of time. I now know how to do my laundry and cook some of the delicious meals my mother always made for me. I found out where I work, who my colleagues are, what tasks await me during this volunteering experience and, last but not least, what the coffee at the office tastes like! Luckily, it is good.
I also met the other volunteers who are in the same situation as me and with whom I will spend the year exploring many parts of Austria and the neighbouring countries. These first experiences were not too difficult for me because I was full of excitement about everything new, and I was supported and warmly looked after every step of the way.
Things became more difficult when I gradually received less support and the feeling of being looked after began to fade. Ah, independence! It is challenging because you have to find solutions on your own, dare to ask questions and deal with the doubts that arise. That is not always easy. However, as someone who enjoys being alone, I have also really enjoyed the experience of becoming more independent. Doing the laundry became my little project for the day, and going shopping made me feel like a treasure hunter.
Of course, after a while, it loses its charm. Anyone who has ever lived alone knows that once something becomes routine, the magic disappears. I experienced this change of perspective during my first month. Washing the dishes every day? Hmm, not so great. But hey, with Beyoncé playing in my ears, it becomes more bearable.
As for culture shock, I do not think I have experienced it so far. There have been no major moments when I thought, “Why do they do things like that here?” Everything seems quite normal to me. Perhaps this is also because my friends, with whom I spend most of my time, notice many differences compared with their home countries.
I started wondering whether I even had a culture of my own. A very dramatic question that came to mind when I noticed that I was the only person who did not see any cultural differences. But when I looked more closely, I realised that, yes, I do have cultural roots. Perhaps I do not notice the differences as much when I am with Austrian people, but I do notice them when I am with the other volunteers. So, Ellie, do not worry: you have cultural roots. Phew.
And finally, the language. It has both repelled and fascinated me. At school, I hated learning languages, but when English slowly became part of the way I communicated online, I began to take an interest in them. Suddenly, languages no longer seemed boring and pointless.
By learning English, I gained access to more articles, books and videos, and I was able to speak to more people. It was like being a girl who, after learning to walk, learns how to ride a bicycle and suddenly realises that she can travel further and faster.
To sum up, my experience here has begun in a wonderful way, with all the small ups and downs of life.
Kisses! See you soon, and I hope you have a lovely day or evening!
Ellie
Updated on Tuesday, 23/06/2026
