Finding a Home Away from Home
My train arrived in Bordeaux, a city I had never visited before. I was carrying my luggage brought with me from Lebanon, filled with food that my mother prepared for me. I did not have a place to stay. I had booked a hotel room for a week hoping it would be enough time to find a more suitable place. My university was going to start in a few days. All I could think about was: Am I going to enjoy it here? Life is an adventure so let’s find out!
The first days were not easy, walking through unknown streets, having no one to talk to. I called my parents every day and this was the only conversations I had for many days.
One day, two weeks after my arrival, I was walking through the city all by myself. I saw a huge endless street filled with people, shops, cafés, bars … I still remember that feeling. It was only then that I realized that there is life in this city. I was looking at the people shopping, having a coffee, or just wandering around. It was so lively. This is when I began my search and found a great InterNations Community in addition to many language exchanges and foreign meeting groups.
I’ll never forget that first event I went to. I was very happy to see people from different nationalities and countries, many of them had also just arrived. At that moment I knew I was not alone. I made great friends that night, friends that took me to discover the city and its hidden gems. I knew I had settled in. I knew I had found my place, I had my group of friends, and the city became ”friendlier” to me.
Since then, I’ve become a tour guide of the city and an InterNations Ambassador helping all the newcomers feel welcome the same way I felt welcomed.
I would advise all expats not to surrender. Every city has something to discover and has people waiting to meet you. At first, change is not easy, but when you meet these people, the transition will be much easier. Look out for them, search online groups, communities, and when you do, when you meet these like-minded people, a new page of your stay will open.
Life is an adventure, and believe me, you will have amazing stories to tell of this adventure!
About Said Chammas
Said was born in Lebanon and moved to Bordeaux in 2018 where he now works in the tourism industry and also as a tour guide of the city. He is an InterNations Ambassador and Consul and enjoys organizing events to bring people together because he believes that beauty is found in diversity. He is also a blogger and Youtuber where he shares his life stories and experiences.
Article topics
Related articles
InterNations LGBT Expats
Expat communities and resources are abundant in this day and age. But while you find information for almost every expat type, LGBT expats are often ignored and find it harder to meet other expats who are in the same situation. This is a place to share your experience and help other expats along the way!
How I Learned to Love My Expat Identity
“Sometimes I wish I had an easy answer, a concept of identity that fits neatly into a box.” For InterNations team member Crissy, the question of her expat identity has accompanied her for a long time. We asked her about her journey and how she feels about her identity now.
The Expat’s Gremlin Called Shame
As Brené Brown puts it, “shame is the gremlin who says, ‘Uh, uh. You’re not good enough.’” I firmly believe that our own very special expats’ gremlin is particularly creepy. It is small enough in order to fit in our luggage when we move around, so we cannot escape, no matter how fast we move around the globe.
The Power of Friendship: Making Connections while Living Abroad
Dana moved from Kuwait to Australia and did not know a soul when she arrived. Through an unexpected friendship with two British expats, she transformed her experience and achieved what she was ultimately searching for: a sense of belonging.
Why Being an Expat Is the Absolute Best and the Absolute Worst
Being an expat can be both the most amazing experience in the world and the hardest. From fantastic new friends, to feeling far from home, find out just how simultaneously difficult and awesome life abroad can be!