I grew up in a family where learning another language was rare. You don’t see many English speakers studying in Spain, so learning to talk correctly is a struggle. I’ve been learning English since childhood, and that makes travelling to foreign countries where Spanish is not the main language quite fun.
I didn’t know the importance of being bilingual until I moved to the UK, where almost everyone speaks only one language. Whenever I meet someone who has travelled to South America or Spain, they tell me they wish they had known some Spanish beforehand. It would have helped them create a more local experience since the elderly community doesn’t speak English. They are taking Spanish classes at university, and they try to communicate with me in my native language, which I appreciate.
One of my most cherished experiences being bilingual was last summer when I did interrail with my friends. We travelled through different countries such as Germany, Czech Republic and Brussels. I was the only one who could speak English fluently, so everybody asked me for help during the trip. I learned a lot of things during that trip, and also, thanks to speaking English all day, I improved a lot before coming to Newcastle.
I always encourage people to learn another language because, in that way, they can integrate themselves into the country they travel to. You can speak with local people and create a unique experience that not everyone can build. It can also open up more opportunities, such as attending university in another country and learning about different cultures. If it weren’t for all of these experiences combined (and the cartoons I watched as a child), I wouldn’t be here.