When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I was lucky enough to experience at first hand, and in many ways, the fact that learning a language isn’t just about memorising grammar rules or accumulating vocabulary. It’s so much more. Learning a language opens doors to entirely new scenarios, builds connections between people, and allows you to see the world through a different lens. In a world as diverse as ours, where so many stories are told in different languages, acquiring new languages is a passport not just to different places, but to deeper relationships, broader perspectives and enriching moments that would otherwise remain undiscovered.
Belgium: A Trilingual Household That Taught Me More Than Words
One of my earliest and most significant language-learning experiences was in Belgium. As a sixteen year-old, I had the good fortune to stay with a trilingual family where French, Dutch and German intermingled effortlessly around the dinner table. At first, the fluidity of these conversations was overwhelming. As the dinner progressed, conversations seamlessly shifted between languages – sometimes within the same sentence! But this experience wasn’t just about learning to say “pass the salt” and “thank you” in three different ways. It was about discovering how language was the glue that held relationships together in this home.
In that setting, I came to understand that speaking someone else’s language builds bridges in ways that go beyond words. It conveys respect, cultivates understanding, and opens up deeper, more meaningful channels of communication. Over those dinner tables, I wasn’t just listening to grammar or vocabulary being used; I was witnessing the power of language in making connections between people from different regions and cultural backgrounds. It was a profound early lesson in how language forms the bedrock of relationships and community.
Northern Portugal: Hitchhiking, Culture and Golden Nuggets of Language
A couple of years later, emboldened by the company of two fellow Portuguese language undergraduates, I set out to hitchhike through northern Portugal. Little did I know, this would become one of the most unforgettable language adventures of my life. Up to that point, my first-hand experience of Portuguese ‘in action’ was with my tutors and teachers, so the snippets of conversation, regional accents, quirky turns of phrase and cultural gems I picked up on the way were invaluable. Each interaction – whether it was asking for directions, negotiating a lift to the next campsite or sharing a meal with locals – offered me insights into the rich and complex culture of northern and central Portugal.
Beyond the practical value of speaking Portuguese, the language served as a key to a deeper human connection. Locals were more open and willing to engage, not because I was speaking their language absolutely fluently, but because I made the effort to try. Through these interactions, I genuinely learned that language learning isn’t about perfection; it’s about participation. It’s about showing up, being willing to make mistakes, and being open to the stories and experiences that language can unlock.
This journey through northern and central Portugal gave me not only bizarre and wonderful travel stories but also a deeper appreciation of how language transforms travel. It’s one thing to visit a place and admire its beauty; it’s something else entirely to engage with its people, understand its culture and build connections that stay with you for a lifetime.
Spain: A Multicultural Household and A Myriad of Perspectives
When I moved to Spain to study and teach, I found myself living in a flat shared with students from France and Germany. This multicultural household was a vibrant mix of languages, diverse outlooks, and rich cultural exchanges (even if these were often based around pop songs and TV programmes). In this relatively small space, French, German, Spanish, and occasionally English were regularly spoken. Conversations were not academic; they were reflections of our individual perspectives and worldviews.
Living in that environment, it soon became apparent that language is a tool for more than just communication. It shapes how we think, how we understand the world and how we connect with one another. Each of my housemates brought with them not only their language, but also their distinct cultural outlooks and back-stories, which we learned to navigate through humour, shared youthful experiences and respect for our differences.
Our household became a microcosm of what it means to live in a global community. We learned that language was both the medium through which we communicated and the mechanism by which we bridged gaps in understanding. That shared household experience taught us all that language is about connection, empathy and navigating the differences that make us human.
Kosovo: Interpreting at a Crossroads
Perhaps one of the most profound language experiences I’ve had was in Kosovo, where I was called on to interpret Albanian at a critical juncture. This wasn’t just a job – it was an opportunity to engage with the language and culture in ways that went far beyond the superficial. Here, language wasn’t just a tool for communication; it was a means of navigating political, cultural, traditional and social challenges at a time when understanding, diplomacy and clarity were of paramount importance.
This experience reinforced the idea that language connects us not just in everyday situations but also in moments of crisis and transformation. Whether in simple conversations or high-stakes scenarios, language is the thread that binds human interactions. In Kosovo, language allowed me to be a part of something bigger than myself, contributing to conversations that had real-world implications. It was a reminder that language has the power to build bridges – or, in some cases, to repair them.
Rome: Navigating Chaos with the Help of Italian
Another memory that stands out is the time I had to change my flights last minute in Rome. It could have been a chaotic and stressful experience, but thanks to the Italian I’d learned in school, I felt confident enough to navigate the situation. I helped not only myself but also two Argentinian passengers who were equally confused and stressed out (Spanish and Italian combined!). It was yet another example of how practical and empowering it is to speak another language in real-world scenarios.
The Italian language became a lifeline. What could have been a frustrating ordeal and an inordinately long flight home turned into an opportunity to connect with others, share experiences, and even offer a helping hand. That’s the beauty of language – it transforms moments of disarray into opportunities for connection and mutual support. It wasn’t just about getting through that specific situation; it was about doing so with empathy and understanding, facilitated by another language.
The Netherlands: Making Friends on a Dutch Beach
Yet another serendipitous moment happened when I met a friend on a beach in Utrecht. We bonded instantly over our shared love for travel and the Netherlands, but what made the connection even more special was that we chatted in Dutch. Despite being in a foreign country, the Dutch language gave us common ground, making our encounter feel less like a random meeting and more like a shared bond.
Language has a way of making the unfamiliar familiar. In this case, Dutch became more than just a means of communication – it was the foundation of a friendship that went beyond borders and backgrounds. Through our conversation, I had another opportunity to experience how language is a medium not just for exchanging words but for creating meaningful connections between people.
Albania: Uncovering Hidden Beauty
Finally, there was my journey through Albania, exploring places like Elbasan, Durrës, Vlora, Gjirokastër and Saranda. While these regions are stunning in their own right, being able to speak with locals in their language transformed my experience from that of a mere tourist to a real participant in the culture. I didn’t just see the superficial beauty of these places; I understood it through the eyes of the people who called them home. This wouldn’t have been possible without the ability to communicate in Albanian – a language, people and culture that have shaped my personal and professional trajectory.
The Power of Language in a Connected World
All of these experiences – whether in Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Kosovo, Italy, the Netherlands or Albania – taught me that language is much more than another skill to add to your repertoire. It’s a bridge to new worlds, new relationships and new perspectives. It allows you to move beyond the role of a passive observer and become an active participant in the global community. Language learning opens doors to opportunities that would otherwise remain closed, and it deepens our connections to the world and to each other.
Whether for travel, work, or just for the joy of connecting with new people, learning a language is an invitation to a richer, more colourful and more connected life. It’s an experience I believe everyone should have the chance to embrace, as it offers a window into a shared version of humanity – a reminder that, at our core, we can all find closer connections through a greater understanding of each other’s languages.
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