Berlin is not as fun as I thought.

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Breathe_In_For_Luck7
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Berlin is not as fun as I thought.

Post by Breathe_In_For_Luck7 »

I am currently studying abroad in Berlin Germany. I have been here since August 25th and I stay until December 16th. I thought this experience would be really awesome and exciting, but it's turning out not to be so. All classes assign about 100 pages of reading per week and I feel like I'm not learning anything in my language class. All I ever do is sit around and read for class. I thought I'd be able to go out and explore the city more and make German friends. What's worse is that I really miss my boyfriend back home. I'm really jealous of him because it sounds like he's having more fun at school and with his friends than I am, and I'm in freakin Berlin. Plus I feel like he's replacing me with his sister because his sister now goes to college by him. We used to hang out every weekend and see concerts at school or whatever and now he does that with his sister.



I'm just so sad and lonely here...
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Lena
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Re: Berlin is not as fun as I thought.

Post by Lena »

By the sounds of it, you need to find a work/leisure balance.

I'm in the UK and school was always very demanding here. The 'work/leisure balance' was always hard to manage, teachers seemed to think our lives revolved around school and nothing else!

I would suggest reserving a couple of hours (as needed) aside per day for work, plus one morning (or afternoon) a weekend for work. Aside from that, the rest of your time should be designated for socialising.



I don't know about schools in the US, but in the UK the first couple of weeks back to school were always hell because there would be so much work piled on. It should start to even out and become more manageable after a couple of weeks.



Any new school or place (nevermind country) will be overwhelming at first. Give yourself time to settle - its only been a short while since you arrived in Germany. Remember the first day nerves when you started a new school when you were younger? They always calmed down as you settled in. This anxiety and stress will calm down too.



With your boyfriend, I know its hard, but try and bear in mind that he will be missing you like crazy and isn't replacing you with his sister by any means, hes probably just wanting his sister to distract him from feeling so sad.

The first week or two that I was back home in the UK from America this summer, without my fiance, I made sure to keep myself socially active because I needed the distraction as I felt so sad and lost without him.



Stay in touch with friends and family (plus boyfriend). Phone calls, letters, emails, MSN, etc. They should help with the sadness/loneliness/home sickness.

(With the phone calls, use phone cards. Much cheaper than the other options, trust me).

I'm currently in a (very) long distance relationship (USA/UK). I know how the lack of contact/communication/missing each other/needing each other thing works. If you'd like to talk, please do PM me. :)



I'm sure your experience will still turn out to be awesome and exciting - just give yourself time to settle and get to know people. :)



Sorry about the short novel. :rolleyes: I hope some of it helps.



:hug:



Take care,



Lena.
Woman can not live on tea or chocolate alone.... but she can give it a damn good try.
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Wheretogo
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Re: Berlin is not as fun as I thought.

Post by Wheretogo »

IT almost sounds more like culture shock. Its hard living that far from home. I know i have done it. But its not forever, maybe you will make friends. Its never easy being in a forigen country. Its sad and lonley and different. When i was away it was awkward, lonley, scary, and hard. It took almost a month and half for me to adjust to everything, but i was soon going out and making friends and having fun (when i can afford it)... It takes time to adjust, and once you do, youll find that its not as bad. Give lots of time, and just keep working at it. Friends will come once youve relaxed a little bit. As for the homework, just stay on top if it. I know its hard, but youll get used to it (i had a job where i was and it was way different than any job i had had back home)



To ease any homesickness/lonliness, talk to people on the computer, call home lots, write letters, buy people little things that you can send them home. Your boyfriend probably misses you too. Remember that.
Why give up, why give in?

It's not enough, it never is.

So I will go on until
the end.

We've become desolate.

It's not enough, it never
is.

But I will go on until the end.

I've lost my way.

I've lost my way, but I will go on until the end.

Living is
hard enough

Without you fucking up.

Until The End - Breaking Benjamin
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