The Key to Adaptability: How I Learned to be More Flexible in a Foreign Country

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By Babel HutPosted In: LivingTagged: , Leave a comment

It’s not easy to adjust to a new culture. It isn’t always easy to get by in the country where you are studying abroad either, but it is important that you try. I was fortunate enough to study abroad for 6 months this past year in Japan and learned many things about myself - who I am, what I want out of life, and how much more open-minded I can be. Living in another country forces you into an unfamiliar situation which can be difficult at first; however, if we learn from these situations rather than running away from them they will make us more adaptable people with greater knowledge about ourselves and our world.”

Learn to embrace the new:

When I first arrived in Japan, everything was so different from what I was used to. The language, culture, and customs were all unfamiliar to me and it was difficult trying to adapt. However, if I had not embraced these differences I would have missed out on so many wonderful experiences and lessons. There are always going to be things that are difficult to learn, but if you try and accept them rather than run away from the situation, it will make your life much more meaningful.”

Learn how to get by:

One of my favorite words in Japanese is “tsukiau,” which means “to use”. When I first arrived in Japan, I felt lost and didn’t know how to get by. However, after a while I learned that if I used the resources around me - the people, the internet, etc. - I would be able to survive in this new country. The same is true for any new situation you may find yourself in; don’t be afraid to ask around or look online for answers. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from your peers, family members, or friends.

Learn to see things differently:

I think that one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to look at life in a different way. For example, when people ask me what my favorite thing about Japan was and I say that it’s the people, they don’t understand. Japanese culture is very different from American culture and their way of thinking can be hard to grasp at first. However, what I mean when I say that my favorite part about living in Japan was the people is that after being with them for so long I learned how to see things differently through their eyes. I think that this is an important lesson for all of us; to be able to see things from another person’s perspective, no matter how different it may be from our own.

Living in a foreign country can be difficult at first, but if you open your mind and embrace the new experiences you will find yourself becoming a more adaptable person. I encourage all of you to take the plunge and study abroad - it will be one of the best decisions you ever make!

A Summer In Spain Cleaning Fishing Boat Hulls

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By Babel HutPosted In: Language Learning, TravelTagged: , , , Leave a comment

How many of you are working summer jobs in Spain? A summer job will help you to build character. It is a great way to add something unique to your professional resume. Today’s content is about cleaning a fish boat with an electric pressure washer. The boat probably belongs to someone else, and they are trusting you to clean it the right way.

6 Tips To Keep the Job Fun and Feel Less Like a Chore

1) Take the pressure washer and clean the floor from bow to stern. If you’re in need of a pressure washer you can take a look at reviews of some of the best electric options, as they are usually easier to use than gas-powered options when working on boats. Also keep in mind that the floor gets more abuse than any other surface on the boat. You should get yourself a deck brush to remove those harder-to-reacher areas.

Why not sing a song why you are doing it? Plug in your iPad and play your favorite music.

2) You need to clean the livewells. Use a non-toxic product because a toxic product will be detrimental to the fish. Baking soda and water work great when you use the pressure washer. Things like bleach will be bad. Use the pressure washer to flush the livewells once you are done.

Why do you need to flush the system out? You need to make sure the dirt and debris have been removed before hitting the open water. Dirt that remains free will be harmful to the animals that live in the open water.

3) Boat bilges are probably the grimiest part of the boat. Get yourself a commercial cleaner and get to the bottom of the issuev(wink, wink.) A commercial cleaner will allow you to get to the bottom without getting yourself dirty in the process.

4) The boat consoles can be taken care of with Windex and spray cleaner. You will not need a power washer for this part. You will need a partial wt sponge for the first part, and then a dry cloth to finish the job. It is that simple.

Now some of this will get boring so keep that music playing. Music gives us the incentive to keep going. Keep those tunes on full blast and scrub away.

5) Does the boat have vinyl seats? The sun’s UV rays have a nasty way of turning the seats a different color. The seat will look cracked after a certain period of time.

You will need Star Brite Vinyl Shampoo. The shampoo will restore the seats to their former glory.

6) How does the boat hull look right now? It may appear discolored and stained in certain areas. You will want to give the problem areas a good scrub first. Next, take the pressure washer and clean it off. The pressure washer will also add some efficiency to the boat’s performance, not to mention add to the fuel efficiency.

Some Added Cleaning Tips

Do you want to get a bonus in your paycheck? Take a few extra minutes and clean the trailer. The owner will be very impressed. Clean everything including the wheels and tires. Your boss might give you some more work to do after this.

Conclusion

Cleaning a fish boat with an electric pressure washer may not be your idea of a good time, but it will earn you a paycheck. It will also earn you the satisfaction of a job well done.