First experience abroad in France
Farah's first experience abroad began in her third year of high school. She then had the opportunity to do an internship of more than two weeks. "I chose France, partly because my mother is French. It seemed like a logical choice and it felt safe as my first experience abroad. After all, I speak the language."
She worked in a restaurant, where she was given different tasks. "Mostly I was in the service, but sometimes I suddenly had to help in the kitchen, without really being explained what was expected of me. That was sometimes difficult, but at the same time instructive. I learned to take initiative, ask questions and just try."
The biggest difference with the Netherlands? According to Farah, mainly the way people organize their day. "In France, they take much more time for lunch. Everything goes more leisurely. Around four o'clock it is sometimes just deserted. That's very different from Holland, where it's all a bit faster and tighter."
Although the internship was short, it tasted like more. "Two weeks is not very long. I would have liked to stay longer to get more involved. But for a first time it was a nice experience."
Two months in Spain
A few years later, in 2025, a much longer experience abroad followed. For her training as a teaching assistant, Farah had the opportunity to do a two-month internship at an elementary school in Valencia. "That was very different from working in a restaurant in France. I was in all classes, from toddlers to grade 8. That made it very varied."
The school was officially international, but in practice a lot of Spanish and Valencian was spoken. "That was quite difficult sometimes, because I didn't actually speak Spanish. I had practiced a little with Duolingo, but I didn't get much further. Fortunately, there were tutors who spoke English. Still, I noticed that you also build a bond with children without speaking the same language. I found that special."
Life in Spain also brought with it the necessary cultural differences. "Everything goes very tranquilo there. If something doesn't work today, they'll do it next week. In the beginning I thought: come on, a little more action! But eventually you learn to appreciate that too. Just like the eating times: in Holland I want to eat at six, but in Spain it doesn't really start to get busy in a restaurant until nine. I had to completely adjust my rhythm to that."
Independent and entrepreneurial
Because Farah left for Valencia alone, she really had to fend for herself. "I found that exciting, but I learned a lot from it. You learn to do things on your own, to address people, to take initiative. In the beginning that takes some getting used to, but you have to open yourself up. Otherwise you won't meet anyone."
In Valencia, she quickly found a connection with a group of Dutch students, as well as international youth from other countries. "With some I only met once, with others I did things almost daily for two months. You quickly learn to make new friends and that gives such a boost to your self-confidence."
Still, she sometimes missed her family, too. "After a while I did get homesick, but my parents came to visit once. That made it a lot easier. In the end, I really felt at home, both at the school and in the city."
What it brought her
When Farah looks back on her internships abroad, she sees how big of an impact it has had. "I have become more open and social. I dare to go out alone more easily and get to know new people faster. I am also more independent: nobody tells you anymore what time you have to go to bed or when you have to be somewhere, you have to arrange all that yourself. That makes you more mature."
She would so do the experience again. "I would really recommend it to anyone. It sometimes takes effort to step out of your comfort zone, but you get so much in return. New people, new cultures, a broader view of the world - you take all that with you."
Fancy more
Farah's adventure abroad clearly tasted like more. "Together with a few girlfriends, I am now in the process of going to Malta in April for a seven-week internship. That seems great. In addition, next summer I want to participate in a Rotary Summer Camp. "Then you go to another country for a week or two, with young people from all kinds of countries, to do activities together and get to know the culture."
As for her future plans, Farah is still searching. She is now in her final year of college and is hesitating between going to work as a teaching assistant or continuing her studies at college. "I don't know exactly yet, but I do know that I am open to more international experiences. Those two experiences abroad have already brought me so much, I definitely want to experience that again."