LATVIA - RIGA

When I was preparing for my stay abroad, I knew that I would be confronted with many new and unfamiliar things. Things that were unfamiliar to me at first. Nevertheless, I was excited about getting to know a new culture and embracing the unknown. Because I always told myself in advance that even bad experiences are experiences that shape you and help you move forward.

The first experience, which I also mentioned in the other logs, was the cold culture or hospitality of the locals. This cultural practice was strange to me at first, but over time it became familiar to me and I no longer took it personally.

I remember the first few days in my new accommodation, which was cozy but by no means made me feel at home. The people I met were friendly, but it took a while for real connections to develop. On the one hand, this happened through my pictures and objects that I took from home, making the apartment feel a bit local. On the other hand, it was also through the time spent within these four walls.

Through various social activities and community events, I eventually met new friends who were also strangers to me at first. These friendships deepened over time and we began to spend time together regularly, be it at dinners, trips into the city or cultural events. Slowly, the unknown turned into familiarity and my apartment in Riga began to feel like a real home. The city that was once foreign to me became a place full of meaningful memories and friendships that enriched my life and made my time in Riga unforgettable.

Even now that I have been back home for a good 2 weeks, I have kept in touch with a few friends. The exchange afterwards shows me that strangers have not only become acquaintances but also friends. In addition, my whole view of Latvia and Riga has changed. When I read the name in the news or on the internet, I now have a completely different relationship to it and empathize much more with the nation and the locals than before.

In retrospect, I think the most important thing is how strangers can become intimates, first of all the openness from both sides to something new. Also, spending time together and getting to know each other through interactions, like playing sports together or going to bars. This cannot be skipped. For some people, it only happens more quickly because they have similar interests and understand each other better as a result.

The chance to go on an exchange to a new country also offers the opportunity to get to know not only local people, but many people from different cultures and countries. That's why I don't want to limit this from the foreign to the familiar to Latvians alone, but to new people or cultures in general.

Looking back, I am grateful for this journey and the opportunity to leave my comfort zone. The initial strangeness has turned into a deep appreciation and a sense of belonging. This change has not only broadened my view of the world, but also enriched my understanding of community and social interaction.

The experience of the unfamiliar becoming familiar has shown me that intercultural learning is a lifelong process that requires constant openness and willingness to change. It has helped me to become more flexible and adaptable and to appreciate the diversity of the human experience. I am returning home with new insights and an expanded self-awareness that will be of great benefit to me both in a personal and professional context. After all, we are always in contact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. We must always try to understand and accept the different points of view and opinions.