{"id":8347,"date":"2023-01-18T12:05:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T17:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aesu.com\/?p=8347"},"modified":"2023-01-18T12:05:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T17:05:44","slug":"the-language-barrier-what-should-you-know-before-traveling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bobeckmedia.com\/aesu\/the-language-barrier-what-should-you-know-before-traveling\/","title":{"rendered":"The Language Barrier \u2013 What Should You Know Before Traveling?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
The language barrier can be tough to navigate, but with a little preparation, you can avoid some of the frustrations and embarrassment that can result from not knowing a language.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Traveling is one of the most rewarding activities we can do \u2013 it broadens our <\/span>horizons<\/span><\/a>, introduces us to cultures quite unlike our own, and leads to lifelong friendships with the people we encounter. However, the language barrier can often feel too difficult to overcome for prospective travelers. Some people will never follow through on their dream to see the world because of the fear of not being able to communicate in a country hundreds of miles from home. The language barrier can be tough to navigate, but with a little preparation, you can avoid some of the frustrations and embarrassment that can result from not knowing a language. Here are some of the things you should know before embarking to your destination.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A Little Goes a Long Way<\/span><\/h2>\n

First, it\u2019s helpful to not set expectations too high for yourself before your trip. Rome wasn\u2019t built in a day \u2013 and despite what YouTube might lead you to believe, most people can\u2019t become <\/span>fluent<\/span><\/a> in a language in a month. But learning and memorizing set phrases goes a long way in a foreign country. Learn how to ask where the bathroom is, where a doctor might be if you fall ill \u2013 learn how to say please, thank you, hello, and good night. It may not seem like much, but you can get by pretty well with just these phrases alone \u2013 and the natives you meet will likely come away with a positive impression of your effort.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn and Use Gestures<\/span><\/h2>\n

Gesturing can often help where words fail, so using gestures can be a great way to communicate if you\u2019re unsure of how to express what you want to say with words. Before visiting your destination, though, it\u2019s worth doing a little bit of research, as there are many gestures that can be considered a faux pas depending on the country and culture. For example, it\u2019s considered rude in many <\/span>Asian<\/span><\/a> cultures to point directly at someone. When all else fails, and you\u2019re struggling to reach for your pocket dictionary, a good gesture can help you communicate with your listener.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have Patience and Respect<\/span><\/h2>\n

Finally, have patience both for yourself as well as the person you\u2019re trying to communicate with. The experience of trying to communicate with someone who doesn\u2019t understand your language can be equal parts thrilling and challenging. It\u2019s illogical to expect that every person you encounter on your travels will be fluent in English, or even that it will be easy to find a translator \u2013 so by dropping this expectation, having respect for the country you are a visitor in, and showing courtesy, you can communicate with anyone no matter how high the language barrier might seem.<\/span><\/p>\n

Explore the World with AESU!<\/span><\/h2>\n

Are you ready to plan an adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal\u2014designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Experience an exhilarating adventure in 2023 on the\u00a0<\/span>Cosmopolitan<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Great Escape<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Greek Island Hopper tour,<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and more! 2023 tour dates are now available! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on\u00a0<\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Twitter<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>, and\u00a0<\/span>Pinterest<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Traveling is one of the most rewarding activities we can do \u2013 it broadens our horizons, introduces us to cultures quite unlike our own, and leads to lifelong friendships with the people we encounter. However, the language barrier can often feel too difficult to overcome for prospective travelers. Some people will never follow through on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"postBodyCss":"","postBodyMargin":[],"postBodyPadding":[],"postBodyBackground":{"backgroundType":"classic","gradient":""},"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[754,28,755],"class_list":["post-8347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-language-barrier","tag-travel","tag-travel-language"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Language Barrier \u2013 What Should You Know Before Traveling? - AESU Travel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The language barrier can often feel too difficult to overcome for prospective travelers. 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