Luxemblog Part Deux
My first few weeks in lovely Luxembourg have been hectic- amazing, but hectic. I’ve finally settled into my new flat, despite continued admin problems thanks to Sanem Town Hall, have made a good group of like-minded friends from all over Europe and the world- albeit mostly from Germany- started my courses and met my mostly Luxembourgish classmates, and am in some form of employment.
How to make friends in a new city/country
Anyone who knows me will know that I am a very social person and that I love meeting people from different countries and backgrounds. However, for this very reason, I decided to move to a place that I knew little about and also where I knew noone! So, the moment I had settled into my new flat I got searching social media for different groups and events for new Erasmus and international students also looking to make friends in Luxembourg. After posting in the university’s Welcome Week page to see who wanted to meet and go to the “Freshers” events together, I made a Facebook group chat for those who were interested, which has gone from the original 10 or so who I first met to almost 50 people! Safe to say, I haven’t directly met every one of them but it’s been a pretty great way of meeting fellow newbies in Luxembourg. Since our first encounter two weeks ago, which involved what can only be described as “circle time” in a park where everyone said who they were and where they were from, some of us have spent nearly every day together, from multilingual karaoke in Coppers bar and day trips to Luxembourg city, to scary movie and pizza soirée nights, and even helping each other out of difficult situations, we’ve already been through a lot together in such a short period of time. That’s what I love about making friendships abroad: since everyone is away from home and out of their comfort zone, you bond a lot quicker and forge, in my experience, a lot more meaningful friendships which transcend borders.
So in short, be sure to use social media to your advantage and make the most of the fact that most incoming students are in the same situation as you are! Result: make friends for life who you can visit all over the world in the future. Win/win situation for all.
It is also important to actually engage with and socialise with people in your accommodation as well as classmates. In my flat, there is one girl who never leaves her room but as for the others, I’m slowly trying to build up rapport, because how can a place feel like home if you’re living with people you’ve never spoken to, or are not comfortable with? As for in class, I’ll admit I initially navigated more towards fellow “outsiders” (the non-Luxembourgish minority who know noone on the course). However, thankfully our classes are quite small so it’s getting easier to get to know each other and I’ve forced myself to attend a couple of events organised by our Masters course. Bonus: new Luxembourgish friends who love history and the EU (bar one) as much as I do. Maybe I’ll even be fluent in Luxembourgish by the end of the two years…
The downside is that, with everything that has been going on, I’ve had very little time for my friends and family outside of my LuxemBubble, so if you guys are reading this: I love you/Os quiero/Je vous aime/Ich liebe euch, etc. etc. and when I’m less of a busy bee/horrible friend, we will have a big catch up.
Balancing work, university and social life
Personally, I think I’m someone who is quite good at multitasking and balancing different aspects of my life. However, my extreme fear of boredom means I often overwork myself in an attempt to keep busy. And so, since arriving in Luxembourg, I’ve tried to ease myself in one step at a time: first, settle into flat, then make friends and socialise, then get a job, then start studying, and now I’ve signed up to yoga and dance classes next week as well as a German language course. So far, I’m balancing things pretty well, but I know from experience that I have to be careful not to overwork myself.
In terms of employment, I am currently interning with the online English newspaper The Luxembourg Chronicle, which has so far given me experience translating, summarising and writing short articles on different aspects of life in Luxembourg; not only am I learning more about journalism but also about the place that is to be my home for the next two years, at least. I have also had the chance to help out at promotional events where I met different members of the huge anglophone community in the Grand Duchy. Then, starting next week, I will be giving occasional guided tours in English and French at a history museum (MHVL)… on the subject of football! Clearly, my area of expertise right there. Nonetheless, I’m excited for the challenges my busy schedule will bring.
Highlights of LuxLife so far:
-Local and international friends
-Employment
-Not dying (also an achievement)
-Converting international friends to liking Guinness (or at least pretending to)
-Attending a free BBQ at my accommodation with the President of Uni of Luxembourg
-Visiting the Chambre des Députés and meeting Henri Kox, a member of Luxembourg’s Green Party
-Getting involved in the university’s Let’s Talk About History: Brexit discussion
-Ability to say a couple of phrases in Luxembourgish
-Already feeling at home
Only negatives, so far: as always, administration and limited funds, but also sexual harrassment- this can happen anywhere, but recently I’ve experienced catcalling and sexual harrassment a lot more than before, and as a woman and feminist, it really angers me how some men think they can treat women. I could go off on a huge rant, but I’d rather just forget the idiots and continue loving my new life in Luxembourg. Over and out.
