B2 English Listening Practice - Living Abroad

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their experience as an expat, discussing the ups and downs of living abroad. The benefits include exposure to new cultures, the excitement of settling into a new home, and the opportunity to learn a new language. However, challenges such as being far from loved ones and adapting to a different culture are also highlighted. The speaker advises future expats to study the local language before moving and to embrace the positive aspects of the adventure while understanding that certain things might be difficult to adjust to.

Takeaways

• 😀 Living abroad offers new experiences, ideas, and cultures that you would never have dreamed of before.
• 😀 Arriving in a new country can be overwhelming, and the reality of it may strike fear, but it's a positive, exciting fear.
• 😀 The experience of arriving in your new country and setting up life there will likely give you 'butterflies' or even 'giant moths' of excitement.
• 😀 Learning a new language is one of the advantages of living abroad, though it can be difficult for some people.
• 😀 To maximize language learning when living abroad, study the language before moving, so you're prepared to understand and speak it.
• 😀 Without a decent level of language knowledge, the sounds around you will feel like static noise and won't help with learning.
• 😀 Being far from family and friends is the biggest negative of living abroad, and video chatting can help, but it's not the same as being physically with them.
• 😀 Adapting to a new culture is challenging, and there will always be things you dislike or can't get used to, like poor infrastructure or punctuality.
• 😀 It's important to adapt to your new country as much as possible, but sometimes the differences may just be too much or clash with your personality.
• 😀 Living abroad may not be for everyone, but it can be a great opportunity for those open to change and new experiences.

Q & A

What are the key positive aspects of living abroad according to the speaker?

The key positive aspects include experiencing new cultures, ideas, and experiences, the excitement of starting a new life in a foreign country, and the opportunity to learn a new language.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of arriving in a new country?

The speaker describes it as an exciting fear, comparing it to having butterflies or even giant moths in the stomach, signifying a mix of thrill and nervousness when settling in a new country.

What advice does the speaker give regarding learning the language of the new country?

The speaker advises learning the language as much as possible before arriving in the new country, as it will be difficult to pick it up without a basic understanding, and just hearing the language will be like static noise without comprehension.

What does the speaker say about the importance of knowing the language when living abroad?

The speaker emphasizes that understanding the language is essential for effective communication, and it will help you adapt and enjoy living in the new country. Without knowledge of the language, it will be difficult to understand people and integrate into the culture.

What is the biggest negative aspect of living abroad mentioned in the transcript?

The biggest negative aspect is being far away from family and friends, which can make it difficult to maintain personal connections. Visiting them is harder due to the distance, and being physically apart is the toughest challenge.

How does the speaker suggest staying connected with loved ones when living abroad?

The speaker suggests using video calls or phone calls to stay in touch with loved ones. Although it’s not the same as being face-to-face, these methods can help maintain relationships despite the distance.

What are some cultural differences the speaker struggled with when living abroad?

The speaker mentions difficulties with low-quality infrastructure and the lack of punctuality as cultural differences they struggled with. These things didn't align well with their personality and were challenging to adapt to.

What does the speaker recommend for those who want to move abroad?

The speaker recommends studying the language before moving and preparing to adapt to the cultural differences. However, they acknowledge that some things may always remain difficult or incompatible with personal preferences.

Why is it important to study the language before moving abroad, according to the speaker?

It is important because without a basic understanding of the language, the environment will feel confusing, and the language will seem like static noise. Studying beforehand enables better communication and quicker adaptation to the new country.

What is the speaker's attitude towards the challenges of living abroad?

The speaker's attitude is positive. They view challenges like fear and cultural differences as part of the exciting and rewarding experience of living abroad, encouraging others to embrace the adventure.