One of my biggest fears before going abroad was the fact that I didn’t know how to speak French whatsoever. When I arrived in Toulouse, I realized that because it was more of a rural French town, people either spoke very little English, or none at all. This was difficult at first, especially at restaurants. Because I couldn’t read the menu, I would just point at something and hope it tasted good. Thankfully I was in France because the food is absolutely amazing there. After just a week in Toulouse, I became very well versed in many basic French phrases. I was able to order at a restaurant almost completely in French. It’s amazing how being completely immersed into another culture can impact how quickly you pick up the language. Moral of the story: don’t let the fear of a language barrier keep you from going abroad and having the best experience of your life!
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