Travel can already be an exhilarating experience, but tourists are often limited by their lack of understanding of language, culture, customs, and more. When you learn a second (or third or fourth!) language, you’ll be taking a big step toward making travel more immersive, enjoyable, and rewarding. In fact, some experiences are only possible if you speak another language!
A Fuller Travel Experience
When retirees travel to new locations, they usually don’t just want to check off a list of important buildings and call it a day. Instead, they now have the time to absorb everything that makes their destination unique. Learning a new language in retirement enriches a person’s understanding of a country’s history, customs, and traditions.
If you’re interested in attending a festival in your favorite country, you might not have any idea what’s going on if you don’t speak their language! Many countries host festivals in the streets that are not widely publicized as tourist-accessible events. If you can understand the language, you can join the crowd and absorb the chants, shouts, singing, entertainment, and more.
More Places to Go
Have you ever wanted to stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan that has been serving visitors since the time of the samurai? You might not be able to communicate with the ryokan staff in some of these remote locations if you don’t speak Japanese! Fully savoring experiences that are off the beaten path frequently requires engaging with a second language.
In our Japan example, suppose you’d like to watch a day of sumo or a kabuki performance. These extremely notable cultural experiences are fully immersive; there is no substitute for listening to the story of a kabuki play or hearing the ringside announcers shout during a match. Thanks to the time spent learning your new language, you can find and enjoy these lesser-known activities that may be tucked away in parts of the country where tourists rarely go—and where the locals no longer cater to their English expectations.
Security and Awareness
Of course, the places you’ll visit and the things you’ll see are just part of the puzzle when it comes to taking full advantage of your newfound language skills. Your second language will also be crucial for keeping you safe and on time during travel. Navigating transit options, finding your way, and recovering when you get lost are all essential skills that enable you to enjoy your trip with confidence.
It is invaluable to be able to understand what people are saying around you; this can help you spot scams that target tourists or communicate with people when you need help. Being able to read a street sign can be the difference between making it to your flight on time and finding yourself in an entirely different city than you’d planned.
New Friends and Memories
Retirement travel is full of new and exciting experiences and places, but it’s also a welcome opportunity to meet new people. Being able to engage with anyone you meet in a foreign country opens up an entirely new possible group of friends with whom you can connect on a more substantial level.
You no longer have to rely on basic questions like “Where are you from?” or “What have you seen here so far?” Speaking the local language allows you to engage in real conversations and connect with people who share your views, interests, and personality traits. Many retirees find that they stay in contact with the friends they’ve made on their travels for the rest of their lives!
Ultimately, there are numerous compelling reasons to learn a second language. You’ll be doing your brain a favor, keeping your wit sharp, and opening up new and exciting experiences around the globe that you may not have been able to access otherwise. However, at the heart of every language is a community, and learning a different language allows you to take your first step into that community—and broaden your own along the way. Learning a new language offers these multifaceted gifts that truly make life richer, more fulfilling, and an exciting part of your retirement!
