2 vital study abroad tips to keep in mind

So, you want to maximise your study abroad experience? There are many things you can do to help you master the language of your choice while in another country. This is important because being in a foreign country for a lengthy period of time doesn’t necessarily mean you will pick up the local language quickly. There are a lot of pitfalls to avoid when learning a language while living abroad. To avoid these, make sure you take into account the following two important tips:

1. Try to make friends with the locals

This is key if you truly want to learn the local language. While it can be easier, fun and more convenient to explore, travel, shop and party with people from your own country, this will greatly hinder your progress with the local language.

Sure, no one likes to feel like a Neanderthal, muttering a few barely recognisable words every now and then. But the truth of the matter is that you cannot become fluent in another language by only talking to the waiter, bus driver and cashier. You WILL become fluent when you try to converse on all kinds of topics with local friends and are open to making (copious) mistakes with the language.

This is true wherever you are, and there are no excuses! So for those of you taking French courses France may not be renowned for being especially welcoming to tourists, but try to get under the surface and make a couple of local friends.

Start by living with a host family and making an effort to spend your free time with locals. Many locals love the opportunity to hang out with foreigners and learn about another culture, so take advantage of this. Just make sure they talk to you in the local language and not English, which is another common trap to avoid at all costs.

2. Keep a journal or blog

Keeping a journal or blog, adorned with plenty of pictures, in another language is an easy way to tap into the flow of thinking and to practise. Of course, it’s also a great way to keep tabs on your trip.

Go ahead and be creative. It makes the learning experience that much more fun when you can add a playlist of songs you listened to abroad to your blog on what it’s like to survive in French summer camps.

Following through with a journal or blog in another language is a great accomplishment and a great pick-me-up when you are back home and having a bad day (which may or may not include stressing over language exams).