Study a foreign language in a foreign country

[Msmiller36]

I’m Swiss and I’m strongly thinking about studying at an University in the UK (btw first choice’s be Sussex)
As i'd like to study either Development Studies with French or International Relations and French, my question is:

Has anyone experiences in studying a language (not your mother language!) in a country witch doesn’t speak your mother language either?

my example: i speak GERMAN, would like to study FRENCH in the UK (ENGLISH)

i am pretty good at languages, my English is sufficient, I’m doing the advanced certificate at the moment.. But still I imagine it could be difficult... any thoughts?

[Leaderofrogue]

Hi Msmiller36,

Just wanting to share some experiences, probably not quite answering your question directly, I went on a conversation exchange to Japan, couple of years ago, but I am yet to experience studying a foreign language in another country that is foreign to that language as well (could be very interesting :P ). Anyway in my opinion, studying abroad will always benefit you more than harm.

In my case, I went there in an attempt to pick up some Japanese (thank god I did) but as you may be aware that the majority of local Japanese have very limited understanding in English - let alone me being Chinese.

Fortunately (I mean REALLY fortunate here!) my homestay family happened to be able to speak English - the husband being English, and I also had a sharemate who spoke decent Japanese (back then only, now he studies in Japan), so I was able to settle in pretty securely (sadly he spoke no English though). Yet this didn't make interaction outside any easier. But trust me on this, in a couple of days you will get use to it. If you still aren't convinced, then I have another insight for you, foreigners tend to be forgiven much more easily regardless of which country you are in - I managed not getting myself being hated by the locals even when I continuously (but accidentally) made many social/cultural mistakes, would have been determined as very serious offences (as Japanese is renowned for their sensitivity in flaws) if I was to be a citizen or someone with the knowledge.

Sorry for the whole heap of ramble, but in summary, I think the moral story is that you should accept the fact that mistakes are inevitable when you unfamiliar with your surrounding. Sometimes you just can't be "aware" of it, simply because you don't have that piece of knowledge to prevent you from making the error. But since you speak the common language there, I don't think you need to worry too much, and that you will hopefully be able to make friends with local students or the likes that can help you get through most of the hurdles.

But from what (I think) I have learnt, you should "try to see what you saw, not what you think you saw" - interpreting from baseless observation leads you to silly mistakes. Ask if you don't understand what's going on, just ask someone, don't try to "figure things out" yourself - most of the time it's better to be an idiot on what you don't know than try to act smart.

Hope my experience is of use to you,

Leaderofrogue