lol I feel slightly called out, reading this English article on a Munich subway as it takes me to my apartment here in Germany. You’re totally right that it’s hard to learn a language when you are so tethered to your native language on your phone! I’m so happy you had that wonderful experience as a teen. Sounds amazing!
I had an identical experience living in Japan in the early 2000s. No one spoke any English at all, and the only contact I had with my family was email that I had to travel across town to be able to send. I remember reading my dictionary and flashcards in my bedroom at night, and then venturing out to try to make small conversation during the day. Venturing around Tokyo’s scramble crossing, being exposed to sushi and red bean and other unfamiliar foods, it was a truly life-changing experience, and I often think about how that might have been the last time where you could travel in that way without smart phones!
I had a very similar experience. I lived in France in the late 80s as an au pair. Definitely no screens back then! I was totally cut off from anyone else other than the same Sunday evening phone call back to my parents. It was do or die. And I did. I still rate this experience as one of the hardest things I have ever done and realised then that if I could survive this experience, I could survive anything. I have now lived in about nine countries on my own and with my children but I fear that they will never understand or be able to experience the total immersion you talk about and that does make me sad. It was time for me to grow, experience and truly understand the resilience I had in myself.
I studied abroad in Spain while in college in 2010. I didn’t have a smartphone, but I had a laptop with internet. It was a wonderful experience and I threw myself into the experience as much as I could, but it wasn’t as difficult or transformative as I thought it would be. In the back of my mind I knew I could always Skype with loved ones or escape the overwhelm by entering into a familiar, American cultural landscape online. It made it easier, but less of an adventure. Even so, it was worthwhile and I hope my sons are able to live abroad as well! Thanks as always for your thoughtful articles!
I moved my family last year from the heart of the Silicon Valley to Southern Italy, Naples. My kids turned 12 and 14 here. Initially we planned to do one year but now we are staying for the second one. The struggle is real. Both, language and screen culture like. Best to your son!
I completely agree that smartphones make language immersion more difficult. I had a similar experience of learning Spanish in Mexico with just people to talk to, a dictionary, and books to read in the language. I treasure my memories of being fully present where I was. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was the last period in my life without a smart phone. I wish your son all the best in his study abroad experience!
lol I feel slightly called out, reading this English article on a Munich subway as it takes me to my apartment here in Germany. You’re totally right that it’s hard to learn a language when you are so tethered to your native language on your phone! I’m so happy you had that wonderful experience as a teen. Sounds amazing!
Snap! Reading this article in my kitchen in Spain 😂
Caught 🤣🤣🤣
I had an identical experience living in Japan in the early 2000s. No one spoke any English at all, and the only contact I had with my family was email that I had to travel across town to be able to send. I remember reading my dictionary and flashcards in my bedroom at night, and then venturing out to try to make small conversation during the day. Venturing around Tokyo’s scramble crossing, being exposed to sushi and red bean and other unfamiliar foods, it was a truly life-changing experience, and I often think about how that might have been the last time where you could travel in that way without smart phones!
I had a very similar experience. I lived in France in the late 80s as an au pair. Definitely no screens back then! I was totally cut off from anyone else other than the same Sunday evening phone call back to my parents. It was do or die. And I did. I still rate this experience as one of the hardest things I have ever done and realised then that if I could survive this experience, I could survive anything. I have now lived in about nine countries on my own and with my children but I fear that they will never understand or be able to experience the total immersion you talk about and that does make me sad. It was time for me to grow, experience and truly understand the resilience I had in myself.
I studied abroad in Spain while in college in 2010. I didn’t have a smartphone, but I had a laptop with internet. It was a wonderful experience and I threw myself into the experience as much as I could, but it wasn’t as difficult or transformative as I thought it would be. In the back of my mind I knew I could always Skype with loved ones or escape the overwhelm by entering into a familiar, American cultural landscape online. It made it easier, but less of an adventure. Even so, it was worthwhile and I hope my sons are able to live abroad as well! Thanks as always for your thoughtful articles!
I moved my family last year from the heart of the Silicon Valley to Southern Italy, Naples. My kids turned 12 and 14 here. Initially we planned to do one year but now we are staying for the second one. The struggle is real. Both, language and screen culture like. Best to your son!
I completely agree that smartphones make language immersion more difficult. I had a similar experience of learning Spanish in Mexico with just people to talk to, a dictionary, and books to read in the language. I treasure my memories of being fully present where I was. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was the last period in my life without a smart phone. I wish your son all the best in his study abroad experience!