Experiences of moving to another country

Gabriela Loscalzo
Nationality: Argentina
Work Institution: Instituto de investigación Sanitaria La Fe
Research Interest: clinical research
Sweet or Salty?: Always sweet!!

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In November 2018 I received the news that I had obtained the Marie Curie scholarship to do my PhD in Valencia, Spain.
It was a mixture of emotions because I was so happy about this, but on the other hand, I was going to live in another country for the first time in my life.

Many people would say that it is easier because in Spain and Argentina people speak the same language, but let me say that there are some differences that you do not know until you are there.
 
When you listen to or read about experiences of living in other countries, you could come to the erroneous conclusion that everything is easy, nice and free of setbacks. 
 
But while living in another country may be the best experience of our lives, it is not free of complicated moments and situations in which you would prefer to be home with your family. 
 
Anyway... 
But when you know what you want, these things go on to take second place.
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Although I came to live in Spain for professional reasons, I had never imagined that living in another country would be so fascinating. Not only because you encounter new experiences, but also you meet new people and discover new things. Simply put: everything that is out there is waiting for you.

Valencia at night.

The famous national dish: Paella

I had to face situations and moments I've never experienced before, I got to know cultures I knew little about. I learnt about lifestyles and ways of doing things differently from my own and my country's, and finally you realize that you found a lot of friendsfrom different nationalities. 
I learnt that there are other ways of doing things and, after a while, I also adopted previously unthinkable customs.
 
Valencia, the land of flowers and fallas, is one of the largest and most important cities in Spain, and one of the liveliest.
Let me mention that the food is wonderful. I became fan of the famous dish: Paella. It is delicious.
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I had the opportunity to be present in the best and the most important party in Valencia: Las Fallas, it was really great and one of the most important things is that the joy of the party is contagious. Maybe you do not know what it is but after a few days you feel part of it as if you had always lived in Valencia.
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Las Fallas in Valencia.

​Finally, after a few months you feel at home…