Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity to immerse oneself in a different culture and experience a new way of life. For many students, it also means confronting the challenges of communicating in a foreign language. As someone who has just completed a semester abroad, I can attest to both the difficulties and rewards of this experience.
In this blog section I want to reflect on the language difficulties in my host country. English is the national language of Australia. I noticed Australian use word from British English and American English. However, I understood that they have a number of unique features as well that reminded me a little bit of Swiss German. Although the Australian slang is one of an outer level, when you have it in context it isn’t that bad either. I reckon the people in the city speak with less of a slang then the people in the outsider suburbs. My English is strong, and I had no trouble understanding and studying in English, although there are a few terms and phrases that Australians use that aren't widely used in formal English. Phrases like “all good” or “not too bad” are common as well as words like heabs or keen. The most funny instances of Australian terms that I remember are “outback”, which is used to denote a distant region, and “barbie”, which is used instead of the noun “barbecue”, or “doona”, which is used instead of the word “duvet”. Overall, comprehending and adapting to Australian slang was not tough; I found it fascinating to hear how the Aussies pronounce even the letters in certain words differently; they sound constantly eager. Even if they are mad or sad, they have a funny way of pronouncing their words. Which makes it far more difficult to understand if the person is seriously mad or just playing with me. On our first day at university the head of international students was giving a welcome speech. He gave us also some general information we might need during our stay, and pointed out new regulations in Sydney for international students. This part was I also noted that the elderly spoke in a formal manner, similar to Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Renee, my 50-year-old housemate, informed me she would do so because she dislikes Aussie lingo and thinks it sounds nasty and less clean than British English. Karen, my 80-year-old neighbour form my first accommodation, told me she would learn to speak that formal for her sons. She would want her sons to speak a clean and formal English. Audrey Hepburn was one of my favourite performers from back then, therefore I didn't mind the formal vocabulary and sought to include it into my speech.
In conclusion, studying abroad can be a challenging and rewarding experience, especially when it comes to communicating in a foreign language. While the language barrier can be a source of stress and anxiety, it is also an opportunity to develop valuable skills and knowledge that will be useful in the future. By practicing active listening, speaking as much as possible, and being open-minded and empathetic, I was able to overcome many of the differences in communication I encountered during my semester abroad. As a result, I feel more confident and capable as a communicator in a foreign language, and I am excited to see how these skills will shape my future endeavours.