Blog #1

It has been thirty-six days since I landed in my new home of Budapest from Manchester, UK. As I sit here with a hot chocolate and reflect on my time so far, I have so many emotions and words to put to paper. I want these personal blogs to inspire and help others realise that we have so many choices in front of us, but also many amazing, incredible learnings and reflections that we should realise too.

 

From stunning sunsets, forest walks, goulash and Magyarul nyelvtanulás, to new friend meet-ups and food, it's been a journey for sure! But, in particular, a year ago is where the adventure actually began…

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In this first blog, I want to reveal all and tell you my story that led me here. I'll delve into the personal aspects of my life, detailing the decision to move abroad, the challenges faced, and the reasons behind launching this business venture to help others.

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The choice to move to Budapest in October 2023 came after a challenging year of self-discovery and a confused, lost Alice (yes, the troublesome twenties in full swing). Despite achieving a promotion in a job I loved and finally feeling settled in my cozy Manchester home surrounded by my best friends and lovely family, in a wonderful relationship and some long-term plans in the pipeline, life had more surprises in store like it always does to disrupt the content flow. My boyfriend's career and some exciting opportunities he couldn’t turn down took him back to his home country in Hungary. After living together in the UK for over three years following our Master's degree, where we met, it was the start of a long-distance chapter and some heavy thinking of what I should do next. On the bright side, I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to live in Manchester's beautiful MediaCity living the city life of dreams with my best friend and her pooch Simba. It was a dream for sure, but I knew that I needed to think beyond.

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Moving to Budapest was an idea that both excited and terrified me. Intrusive thoughts like "I'm comfortable here for now, shouldn't I stay?" and “I’m not ready for a move like that” constantly plagued my mind, and the daunting prospect of learning Hungarian weighed on me as a huge barrier. The decision-making process reached a turning point in the new year of 2023, and I recognised the need to address these challenges head-on, starting with when I should book that flight and how I could prepare in advance of it. The language, considered one of the most challenging for an English native speaker, added to the complexity of what I could and couldn’t do in Hungary vs. the UK. Feeling terribly overwhelmed, I looked for help and decided to enrol with a Hungarian tutor as well as a life coach who became invaluable means in my journey. After six months of parallel work with these two wonderful mentors, they helped me clear my path and revealed so much I didn’t know about myself. It also led to a one-way ticket to Budapest and an official countdown that was an achievement in itself. For someone who doesn't like change and has never lived abroad, I felt like a new me and was incredibly proud booking that single flight ticket!

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More than a year on from where it all started, I've transitioned from a settled yet perplexed version of myself who believed I had “everything” in the UK to a more open-minded and unstoppable individual with so much more to learn and gain. I should also mention how I have fallen deeply in love with Budapest as a place I am proud to now call my home. It's wonderful to be back with my partner also.

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The challenge that I find the most difficult is of course the unique language of Hungarian. Nevertheless, albeit still a work in progress, learning Hungarian has offered insights into the highs and lows of language learning, especially for those mastering English. I can now empathise with the hundreds of students I worked with who were living in the UK as non-natives!

 

So far, I have been attempting to make casual conversation with people I meet on the bus or at the supermarket shop, proving I’m not afraid to try even only a month in (even if I do get. a few funny looks or giggles). This journey has underscored that mastering a language extends beyond vocabulary and grammar—it requires cultivating a positive mindset, sustaining motivation, and building unwavering self-belief. I have myself alongside an amazing coach to thank for that.

 

Armed with a degree in Linguistics and English Language, corporate experience, and a history as a Careers Consultant for international students at the University of Manchester, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact language proficiency can have on personal and professional growth. Motivated by these experiences, I decided to start my own business to assist others in gaining language confidence to make sure they are ready to make those significant life decisions too. Having worked with international students and young professionals, I understand the struggles they face—adapting to a new lifestyle, culture, and way of communicating.

 

My mission is clear: empower individuals with linguistic skills, developing their fluency alongside the tools to enhance their mindset, motivation, and self-belief. Language proficiency, to me, is not just about communication; it opens doors to myriad opportunities and happiness.

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And my personal goals from now? Keep doing what I'm doing. Ride the highs and lows of change, remind myself "it's okay to get stuck sometimes" and just stay positive! Enjoy those little things that make me happy each day like this hot chocolate that is warming me up on a lovely autumnal day.

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Follow me on this journey as we explore language learning and development, confidence coaching, and personal growth. If you have any comments or questions on this blog or my services, contact me today 😊 

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Thanks for reading!

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Alice