GOING ROUND THE WORLD

The modern world is becoming smaller all the time. Every day distances between different countries seem less. For this reason it's becoming more and more important to know different languages, especially English. But you can't learn languages only from books. The best way to reinforce what we have learnt from books is to put it into practice. At the end of their studies, many young people decide to go and live for a while in the country whose language they have studied. This is undoubtedly an interesting and instructive experience. And it's a great opportunity to learn and deal with a thousand new practical problems.

So here's some advice to help you feel at ease and make the best of this adventure.

GOING ALONE OR WITH A FRIEND?

Everybody would like to go with a nice group of friends. But if you do, the opportunities to practise the language are greatly reduced. In groups, you always speak your own language. What you need is "total immersion". For this you mustn't even take a book in your own language. The only things permitted in your language are letters. It's certainly much more difficult. But one day you’ll realize you're thinking in English!

TRAINS

They're a great way to travel: practical and economical. Besides, you can make friends easily with your fellow-travellers. And, sitting comfortably, it's like watching a film to see the beautiful landscapes and unknown towns passing in front of your eyes.

BUYING LOCAL PAPERS

It's a good way to practise the language and it helps you to understand the life of the country. In this way you can find many topics of conversation too.

Among the news you can also find information about local and cultural events: festivals, shows, sports events, etc.

WORKING

Working is perhaps the quickest way to find out about the everyday life of the country and it's a way to save money so that you can extend your trip. You can often find offers of work in the youth hostels. It's easy to find temporary jobs there, even for a few days.

TELEVISION

It's very useful to watch TV programmes. It's a very quick and effective way to learn languages and understand local culture. When we can understand well what people say on television, it shows we have a very good command of the language.

FRIENDSHIP

On this type of trip it's possible that you might be alone for days and days. However, you can make friends in the hostels. There you can meet other travellers of different nationalities who also have the need to communicate. They're living through the same experience. In this way sometimes friendships start up that can last a whole lifetime.