ICELAND I

I think it is quite exciting to analyse how my understanding of the unknown has developed during my stay abroad. Because when I entered a foreign country alone for the first time on 9 August, I was surprisingly not very apprehensive. Because I was open, I was ready to get to know new, unknown things. Since I left with this attitude anyway and mentally prepared myself to learn new things, to meet new people, to get to know new cultures, I found great interest in actively dealing with it. As for the culture of my university in Iceland, I feel that they were very open. Also in terms of new cultures. They are open to new theories, ideas and appreciate active participation no matter what your opinion is. So in that case, I will say, that they are open for the unknown.

What impressed me a lot is that there are not many people of colour in Iceland. And in the beginning you all get to know each other and ask everyone the question where do you come from. In Switzerland or Liechtenstein, I always got the question back when I said I was from Switzerland, no, where are you from originally? The interesting thing is that no one in Iceland asked me this question. When I said that I came from Switzerland, there was a lot of interest in what my life was like in Switzerland, not where my parents came from.

At first I was very unfamiliar with the cultural practice of different nations. We had almost 250 exchange students from all over the world, so they all had different work ethics. Some didn't follow deadlines, others couldn't present at all, and so on. Over time, I got to know the people personally and was able to assess exactly who was doing what and when. This then became more and more my habit. This meant that when I wanted to do group work with a Spanish student, I knew exactly that I would have to repeat something 5 times more than with a German fellow student.

I think the big key to the point that the unknown becomes something familiar is time. Because with time you always get used to everything, you can adapt well and you also develop habits. As far as my self-perception is concerned, I have noticed that I am very open, rather structured and time management is very close to my heart, now compared to other exchange students from other countries.

What I also noticed is that no matter if you are extroverted or introverted, by doing a semester abroad you have a great chance to turn the unknown into something familiar. In my opinion, extroverted people succeed faster than introverted people in that topic. I would say that I am more of an extrovert, and I miss the whole thing a bit easier than my flatmate, who is more of an introvert. However, we both share the same experiences. As far as the unfamiliarity with the locals is concerned, I had a very good experience. On a small trip to the north, to a very small island, we had the privilege to visit a family that is very traditional. They were openly liberal and willing to experience new things. Openly inviting 4 foreign students to their home and spending an evening with them. I can say that was by far the most beautiful evening of my whole trip. They were willing to make the strangers (us, four students) feel almost at home. This attitude also surprised me a lot and that is a big thing that I will take with me in my future life.

Arani Jeyakumar