I got this question posted on my formspring page and since it's one that I've been dealing with a lot lately, I decided that I wanted to answer it on my blog.
What is your BIGGEST reservation about moving overseas?
This is a tough one for me because I have so many. While I am excited to move and start a life with TLS I'm scared that I won't fit into the military culture and won't make friends. I'm scared that I won't get a job. I don't know how to drive and am scared about not being able to get around on base. I'm scared of not knowing any German and having a hard time adjusting. Most of all, I think I'm scared of becoming unimportant and irrelevant to my friends. I had to step down from one of my volunteer positions in my sorority because it involves chapter visits and I won't be able to do that from Germany. I may have to miss a sister's wedding this summer, and I am unable to attend my sorority's national convention this summer. I am scared that when I come back to the United States after 4+ years of living overseas, my friends will have moved on and forgotten about me.
Your friends will not forget about you! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about visiting in Germany. :)
I agree with KMB564. Your friends won't forget you. And your fears are legitimate, just remember this is going to be a whole new exciting chapter in your life, with so many amazing endeavors and opportunities! And remember what Nelson Mandela said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” You rock.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely scary, but your friends will not forget you! And besides, out of this scary unknown--- SO many fantastic, exciting, new things are going to come to you! Plus, you will have four or so years of incredible memories abroad that will enrich your life in so many ways and will change you forever (for the better).
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you! I would be scared as well - but you're going on a great adventure. Your friends will NOT forget about you, they will think you're more fabulous than ever. :-) XOXO
ReplyDeleteOne of my best friends moved to Germany for 3 years to teach on an American army base.
ReplyDeleteShe had many of these same reservations.
She quickly learned that there are really people of all types on base and not all of them fit into that idea of "army culture" She made close friends rather quickly.
She realized right away that her lack of German was of very little consequence and she was shocked at how quickly she was able to pick up a bit of conversational German (having taken Spanish in high school!) by being immersed in it.
Finally, I can tell you that my friendship, and she and the others girls, was only made stronger. I cannot tell you the joy I felt when I signed on to facebook and saw that she had pictures posted, or better yeat, was available to talk on facechat! Every text and phone call from her felt special, even if at points they were coming more than once a week! Your true friendships will remain intact.
Everything you are feeling is completely understandable but I am confident you will settle in nicely and enjoy this exciting and challenging turn your life is taking!
Oh lovely, if they're really your friends it won't matter. I just hung out with a couple of my girlfriends that I haven't seen in close to two years. And you know what, we picked up right where we left off. That's how I know, I can always count on them!!! You will make new friends. You're super sweet, and who doesn't like a true, honest, sweet friend?!?!?!?! It's natural to be scared, but just think about the exciting experience you are about to embark on. So cool
ReplyDeleteYour friends will not forget about you... how silly.... but of course leaving the country will give anyone reservations... just follow your heart!!! xxxoooo did you enter my giveaway??
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your friends won't forget about you. And living in Germany should be fun a new adventure! Plus all your blog buddies will be here to keep you company
ReplyDeleteFriends will not forget but your right it will be different. Just thinking of it like coming to college a chance to grown and experience new things.
ReplyDeleteYour true friends will never let you become irrelevant to them! You will just pick up right where you left off!
ReplyDeleteThe best of friends will never forget you. Those that do weren't worth your time anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnd... I have a best friend who I've only seen twice in 8 years now. She was a foreign exchange student from Germany who lived with us when I was in high school. She was in my wedding, and I'll be heading to Germany in 2011 to be at hers!
Is the base near Munich? That's where she lives. How fun would it be to meet a fellow American blogger in Germany!!
So I just found your blog and love it!!! We live overseas and it's a BLAST!!! And, as a former sorority girl myself, the wives club is just like your chapter days. Some great girls, some dramatic ones, some that you'll have as friends forever. You'll make fab new friends AND have kickass stories to tell the old ones :) Hang in there!!!!
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