new experience — something different
collocationB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
an event or activity that is different from what you usually do, often making you learn or feel something new.
Say it like a native
Textbook Travelling provided me with a novel and unfamiliar experience.
Native Travelling was a whole new experience for me.
'A novel and unfamiliar experience' is redundant; 'a new experience' is natural.
Pattern: a new experience; have/gain/get a new experience
In use
- Moving to another country was a completely new experience for me.daily life
- One new experience I had recently was volunteering at a local animal shelter. It taught me a lot about responsibility and teamwork.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ It was a new experience to me.
✓ It was a new experience for me.
A new experience FOR someone, not 'to'.
Common collocations
a new experience— a new experience, for me, a whole new, try
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'good experience' or 'bad experience', which describe the quality, not the newness.