Butter, Honey, and Bread.

Hanna Nashita Komara–INA AFS to HUN YP 22/23

Have you ever wondered about the taste of butter and honey on top of the bread? Or the taste of tejföl (Hungarian sour cream) on chips? I would have never thought about it before, but apparently it tastes amazing. I think that’s how I will explain my exchange year. The thing that has just been in my mind, the thing that always makes other people say “are you sure about it?” but it turned out to be an incredible journey in my life.

Hungary was never on my short list for my exchange year. I feel like I don’t know anything about this country. Yet therefore I am always in love with this country day by day. My curiosity makes me want to explore more about it. Now I would say I am in love with every corner here. Full of beautiful buildings, how pretty the sunset and the sky everyday is, and how all the places in here hold every memory.

When I arrived here, everything was new for me. Coming out of my comfort zone is the first step. Becoming a first timer in everything is something that I got from this journey. This is my first time traveling alone, my first 12 hours flight, and my first time to be at someone’s house (now it is my second home) for almost a year. How crazy it is just imagining it.

I still remember the day when I stepped into my room. It felt so strange to be in ‘my room’ that is actually not mine. I also remember how my host family welcomed me for the first time with a big warm hug. It feels exactly the same when you try the butter and honey on bread; warm, sweet, a bit confusing, but it gives you comfort. I would have never expected that kind of thing to happen before, tasting the butter and honey on bread nor having a second family in my life.

I won’t say that becoming a first timer is always fun. Sometimes it gives you a strange feeling. Sometimes you feel afraid or maybe you feel like you don’t want to try it again. Also about people around you who are always questioning your decision and always asking “are you sure?”. Living in a completely different country isn’t that easy. A lot of culture shock and considering that as a weird thing, try to learn how to respect it and try to see something from a different perspective. If you think I am on a year-long holiday, believe me, you just see the cover of it. Despite all the joys that you may see, this year has been a roller coaster ride for me. PS: a fun one!