Thursday, 19 June 2014

Feeling foreign for the first time

In the past few days I finally felt like a foreigner. Having to ask everyone in shops if they speak my language is something I have never had to do before. I feel ignorant, frustrated, and ashamed at times. I wish I had more time to prepare myself in the language before arriving here, alas I have to struggle along with my lessons here.

I know I feel as many of my friends have felt in coming to Canada and having to learn English here. And it is an awkwardness that I want to feel to really understand their journeys, but that does not make it any easier in the moment.

It is not just the language, the money is different in appearance and value. About 1 Canadian dollar is worth 105 Icelandic Krona. Coffee is about $4.70 and beer is about $10. Food is fairly expensive but much of it is imported and with the krona so weak, it is easy to understand why.

Things will get better as I become immersed in the language and start my summer work a week from Friday.

No comments:

Post a Comment