72 things I've learned since coming to Reunion.

1. You only really learn about your home country when you leave it, live somewhere else and talk to 'foreigners'.
2. I love the sea.
3. It doesn't take long to get used to driving on the right hand side of the road.
4. Languages are always more complicated than I think.
5. The Indian Ocean has taught me to move my feet when I dance.
6. Reunion seems to be a 'reunion' of like-minded Europeans, creating their own microcosm world in an Indian Ocean Island, that generally doesn't mix with Creole culture.
7. Many people question European society, you just might not meet them, because they're not there anymore. 
8. I adjust well to new situations. 
9. If you're not happy living somewhere, move on. 
10. Wherever you live, there will always been petty discussions about who should do the washing up.

1. I'm greedy. This reputation seems to travel with me.
2. Use the sea as a detox regime.
3. Wear suncream.
4. Avoid ERASMUS students en masse.
5. Don't be scared of doing something different.
6. Nature is powerful.
7. I'm happy most of the time.
8. The psychology of language learning is very interesting.
9. Question the other side of the story and encourage others to do the same.
10. Do you take the time to question where you are, what you're doing and whether you're really happy doing it?

1. Get Creative.
2. If in doubt, smile.
3. There are many French people in 'transit' in Reunion, some of whom are running away from situations in France.
4. Before you make a decision, think about whether you'll regret it afterwards - if the answer is no, do it.
5. I've learnt that England can be an extremely competitive environment...what do we win?
6. Do you really take the time to live?
7. Forget about what people might think, just let go.
8. Colonialism still exists and I don't think it's a good thing. But they don't tell you that in school.
9. African drums can easily make me cry with emotion.
10. Who cares if you don't shave your legs?
11. Don't just write me off as a travelling hippy.

1. Don't assume that everyone is in the same situation as you.
2. Open your eyes to everything.
3. Go on a hike without any trousers on, you'll be surprised how much fun you'll have.
4. Don't just ignore what is easier to ignore.
5. If you don't have any energy, do something to get it back.
6. Laughing, smiling and crying are a universal language.
7. Be prepared to smash your limits, socially, culturally and physically.
8. Question what is not normally questioned.
9. Stop being afraid of what society will think.
10. The digeridoo is cool and doesn't have to be associated with Rolf Harris.
11. Why compare everything to what you already know? Wipe the slate clean.
12. Dance, like a crazy person, everywhere you want to.
13. If the music is right, if the company is right, you can drink water all night and have the best night out of your life.
14. You don't 'visiter quelqu'un', you 'rendre viste quelqu'un'. In the words of my housemate - "do you arrive inside them? No? Then you don't 'visiter' them."
15. Get up early and walk.

1. I now drink coffee. With sugar.
2. Be a citizen of the world, and not a citizen of your country.
3. Waking up every morning to blue sky and warm sunshine leaves me a happier person.
4. English tea is comforting when it's raining.
5. I really appreciate 'Apéro'.
6. Culture is never simple.
7. The French translators of Harry Potter ballsed up big time by changing too many of the characters' names.
8. I don't notice the colour of people's skin any more.
9. Wrap your food up a thousand times and put it in the fridge to avoid the ants. 
10. The Elizabeth who speaks French is different to the Elizabeth who speaks English.
11. I am more free to express myself in French. The lack of emotional connection with the sense or nuances of the words sometimes leaves me more free to just say whatever's in my head.
12. Dance. Did I mention that already?
13. There should be more of link between the Indian Ocean Islands.
14. Pharmacies should not burn drugs that are still suitable to be sold when people are dying unnecessarily an hour and a half away on a plane.
15. Why are people defined by their careers?

1. Madagascar should not immediately promote the words 'poverty', 'misere'. 
2. You have to work very hard to really understand somewhere. It might be easier to just assume where you are and what you're doing is normal, but you miss almost everything.
3. I have become very emotionally attached to the French language.
4. The academic marking system should not judge your level of French. 
5. In my dreams, I am conscious of what language I'm dreaming in.
6. Leave people the space to grow and air their opinions - in whatever language they want.
7. Don't assume that the English speaking world produce the best music.
8. I prefer French Masterchef.
9. Be wary of 'piment' (chilli) in Reunion. Eat with caution, but eat it nonetheless.
10. Stop being a tourist and start to try and understand rather than just look.
11. Some people are lost in the world.
12. Half of the Earth is forgotten in education - what does that make education?