What does it really mean to arrive in a foreign country?

This blog post describes my personal experiences during my semester abroad in Portugal – from my arrival in Lisbon to my return to Germany. It addresses initial uncertainties, language barriers, and cultural differences, as well as the gradual settling into everyday life. Loneliness, new contacts, and routines shaped this time and led to a foreign place gradually becoming my home. The text also deals with foreignness, belonging, and the Portuguese term „saudade“, and shows how living abroad changes not only the place of residence but also oneself.