Daydream Believer

Do you often wonder what life could be like if you weren't sitting at home looking at fantastic, exotic destinations on the internet, and you could actually visit them instead? It's a common misconception that all Americans are completely oblivious about the world outside their private bubbles, and you know quite well that, of course, this isn't entirely true. It's not so very far across the Atlantic Ocean to continental Europe, and the warmth of the sun and the local people would welcome you willingly. The only thing is, how will you communicate with the residents of these various lovely countries? The unfortunate image of the American tourist is loud, obnoxious, and unmindful of the culture surrounding him. You can do a little bit better than that.

Before you even think about your itinerary, think about the culture or cultures that you are particularly interested in, and imagine how fantastic it would feel to be able to speak to the local people in their native tongue. Perhaps you are only a short German course Los Angeles away from fitting right in with the arts scene in Berlin. Of course you could pick up a little of the language while you are travelling, but Germans appreciate efficiency, and what better way to show you are prepared than to enrol in a German course Miami (so you can learn by the beach, not in a freezing Black Forest winter), or, if you are further north, a German course Chicago?

It can also be quite intimidating to be expected to speak a foreign tongue when you are also trying to work out how to get on the train, or put a token in a machine for a newspaper. In a country like Italy where surprisingly few people speak any English at all, it would be hugely beneficial to have completed a Italian course Chicago before you travel, not least because you will then be able to read the timetable at the train station. After a very long flight, you will be unimaginably grateful that you learned how to order a traditional espresso early on in your Italian course Miami. The rewards of knowing even a small amount of the local lingo will far outweigh the time and effort taken to learn it.