I'm really enjoying the new city I'm living in. Honestly, moving somewhere new can be pretty overwhelming, but this place has made it easy to settle in and feel comfortable. It's very accessible, especially for my needs, since I have a dog. Having a dog changes a lot about how you live your day-to-day life, and thankfully, this city is super accommodating. Everything I need is close by—parks, grocery stores, dog-friendly cafes, and even pet shops. I don't have to go out of my way for anything, which takes a lot of stress off my shoulders.
One of the things I appreciate most is how dog-friendly the city is. There are so many parks and walking paths, and it’s completely normal to see dogs everywhere. It's not just that dogs are allowed — it's that they're welcomed. Lots of restaurants have patios where dogs can sit with their owners, and there are even little water bowls set out in front of shops. It's such a nice feeling to be able to include my dog in so many parts of my daily life without any hassle. Seeing him happy and excited during our walks has made me feel even more connected to this new place.
The people here are also incredibly kind. I didn’t realize how much of a difference that would make until I experienced it myself. Whether it’s neighbors saying hello during walks, strangers smiling at me on the street, or someone offering a helping hand when I look lost, it all adds up. Small acts of kindness happen so often here that they don’t even feel surprising anymore—they feel normal. That kind of environment really helps balance out the stressful parts of life, especially because, honestly, teaching can be really stressful sometimes.
Teaching is rewarding, but it definitely has its hard days. There are moments when everything feels overwhelming, and it can be exhausting trying to stay patient, positive, and energetic all the time. It’s not an easy job, but even on the worst days, I still enjoy it. There's something really meaningful about being part of someone’s learning journey, even when it's tough. And being surrounded by kind, supportive people outside of work makes it a lot easier to recharge and keep going.
I'm also really grateful I got the chance to go through this program. It opened the door for me to move here, experience a new culture, meet wonderful people, and build a life that feels like it fits me. If I hadn’t taken this leap, I would have missed out on so many good things, even the small everyday moments that make life better.
Overall, even with the stress and challenges, I'm genuinely happy here. Between the dog-friendly spaces, the accessible city layout, the kind people, and the opportunity to do something meaningful through teaching, I feel like I ended up exactly where I’m supposed to be.