Is A Year Abroad Worth It For Language Students?

There’s no denying that learning a second language is tricky. It is challenging to master a new vocabulary, but it can challenge the very foundations our outlooks and ways of thinking are built on.

That’s because languages are about more than mere words. They help us see the world through a fresh pair of eyes and occasionally embody concepts we haven’t previously felt able to express. There might even be phrases that don’t exist in our native tongues but eloquently explain a way of thinking or feeling in a foreign one.

For example, the German word fremdschämen, which has no equivalent if you’re an English speaker but embodies a feeling of embarrassment for someone else, or luftschloss, which specifically describes dreams that are unrealistic and unlikely ever to happen.

Ergo, to understand and embrace new languages, it’s not enough to learn them; to some extent, you have to live them. That’s where a year abroad can come in handy. Below, we look at a few ways it could positively benefit your studies.

You’ll have lots of native speakers to practice on

If you’re learning a language in your home country, most of your fellow citizens won’t understand it. This is difficult if you want to get as much practice as possible. There are, of course, workarounds, such as taking German lessons (or French or Japanese) online and specifically selecting a native speaker to teach you. Certainly, websites like Preply give you this opportunity, with the ability to pick tutors based on various factors like their specialties, prices, or reviews.

Additionally, there's the option to spend a year abroad. This means lessons, by default, will continue outside the classroom, with everything from shopping to your part-time job providing opportunities to improve your grasp of the language.

If you feel this might be too much of a challenge, don’t despair: we offer crash courses for our international students to prepare you in advance rather than just throwing you in at the deep end!

You’ll gain a better understanding of the culture and concepts underpinning the language

As we commented above, languages are about more than mere vocabulary. In many ways, they define and embody a country and its people. To really get to grips with them, you need to see the culture underpinning them first-hand.

This is especially the case with words that don’t have a direct translation in your language. If you only ever see them printed in a textbook with a brief explanation underneath, it's much more difficult to understand the feelings and/or concepts they represent than when you hear them used in context and as part of a conversation, anecdote, or story shared by native speakers.

This is also the case with, for example, food-related terms. After all, no description can ever come close to conveying the delicious taste of kartoffelkloesse or the mouth-watering smell of sauerbraten wafting in the air on a cold winter’s day.

You’ll broaden your friendship circle – and your horizons

Perhaps the most significant advantage of a year studying abroad is it will broaden your horizons. Travel is good for the soul, and it’s healthy to have a diverse group of friends and many different world experiences to draw upon. At the expense of waxing lyrical, it makes us better and more empathetic people.

It’s also beneficial to be challenged sometimes, and studying abroad certainly does that. Even so, many students view the idea of foreign study as more intimidating than it is. In reality, most universities will provide plenty of support, from valuable tips on navigating everyday life to internship opportunities.

They’ll likely also have onsite FAQs to help you navigate your new world and find your way around.

When it comes to studying abroad can be an invaluable opportunity for students –especially those trying to master a language. Offering a unique chance to exercise your skills and appreciate the country whose tongue you’re learning to speak is something we highly recommend and seek to make possible through our many international programs. Could it be the right move for you?