12 years of education, English was there more than half of those years. But it was mostly reading, and really boring grammar. Long story short, I was an English failure. I’ve never got good grade in English, and even didn’t get a perfect score at college entrance exam which everyone gets.
But here I am, writing my stories in (not perfect but readable) English and have friends all over the world. Am I proud about it? Of course! Who knew? How did I become this totally different person?
It was a matter of interest. First break was my first backpacking. Being a too-not-afraid-of-anything-girl, went New Zealand by myself, naturally I had to pick up the language. (I had New Zealand accent for a while. Which was so cool! Wish I still have it. )
After more of backpacking I’ve learn English is such a fascinating language. So I started to read bunch of novels in English, watch TV shows and movies.
More importantly I met so many kind friends who were willing to talk to me through all the trouble. I know how bad I was. I really appreciate your patients!
Language is really important part of culture. If you start to pick up the language, you are already learning the culture. And I’m getting better with English, and fell in love with, actually.
Long years of foreign language speaking and engaging with people, I realize something not that rainbow pretty.
English native speakers tend to don’t respect foreign language speakers who use English. Almost “Hey you should, it’s the global language!” is what they think. Of course I’m not talking about all these many English speakers and kind travelers.
I know English is the most global language in this era, but you don’t take it for granted just like that, if you call yourself as a traveler. I’ve seen many English speakers make fun of my people or any other Asians that they can’t speak English or how ridiculous expressions they use. Sometimes they ignored or annoyed by someone who can’t speak English even though they are the ones who need help. Well you know what? We still can use more of foreign language than you do.
I’m making an effort to communicate with them and with this world but they don’t appreciate it. I know I should not wine about it because no one forced me to learn or travel overseas but I think you can get my point. Majority doesn’t’ give you a superpower, so don’t take it a granted.
I got really lucky though. All the people I met on the road were so kind enough to communicate with me. They were fascinated by I can speak Korean which is really exotic language to most of westerners, and the fact I treat chopsticks like magic. I didn’t know this at that moment, but when I look back I should really thank to all of my friends.
However one time, I ran into a really rude person. Well, at least for me she was. I was at Grey mouth, South island of New Zealand. Couple of people just met right before the hostel all stayed together in the cutest room. It was 2 years after my first backpacking and several backpackings after, so I was quite confidence about my English speaking. Then I met her. An English girl who’s in a short break. Even though I picked my English up in New Zealand, I was hanging out with Canadian friend and all English I could get in Korea was American, so English accent is quite hard to understand. And in my defense, she had rather thick accent. So we all chatting and I didn’t understand her few times. Well I thought it was okay, because that happens in global group!
That night we all went out to brewery tour and BBQ party at some local bar. It was a blast. Everybody is happier with beer around, in my opinion. So we all sat down on a couch and had a good time. I tried to talk to her again, but then I realized, she was ignoring me. She is quite delightful, humorous person depends on how she speaks around other friends. But all I got as an answer from her was one syllable. That hit me hard. ‘Oh my god. She IS ignoring me!’ That immediately turned me down. She actually iced me out. I feel shame and even sorry for myself the whole day. I can’t believe just iced out by a stranger.
Grey mouth is the only city I didn’t make many friends. It was the most humiliating experience in the entire travel history.
Luckily I only have one personal bad experience, but there were many chances I witnessed. Among these many foreigners in my country, I didn’t meet many who is willing to learn Korean, or interactive with locals. Well now I meet more and more but that’s quite recent change. Which is good way.
What’s the point of travel? If you are shutting the world down. Why are you here then? I want to ask. There was an old saying starting with ‘when in Rome,’ that is common decency and needless to say you are losing the opportunity to learn the world. Don’t create un-necessary stupitidy, please.
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You can’t truly enjoy majority unless you recognize that the fact minority is exist.
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Learning Spanish while traveling in Central America has taught me how connected it is to the culture. It’s opened up so many doors and I cannot imagine traveling without being able to communicate in Spanish.
@Ayngelina
Great point! Yes I sure learn more culture after I picked up English. I still remember I really get what’s the meaning of “Let it be.”
Now I’m trying to learn Spanish as well. Hope i will pick much more when I will backpacking South America!
Excellent post– I can relate! After traveling and being “the foreigner” in other countries, I am much more understanding of people with heavy accents here in the US. I also had an experience where a rude local made fun of my accent (although I was speaking fluently) and it is very hurtful! I bet the girl who iced you out doesn’t even speak any other language (or try).
@Leslie
Thanks Leslie! People who make fun of people just thought ‘wrong’ instead of ‘different’. Don’t appreciate diversity, I think.
I am always foreigner in many places, so I normally very used to be a outsider, but not used to just iced out.
And that’s my thought too! I guess she might not really fit in New Zealand society either.
English was my first language and my mom swears she tried to teach my Spanish (which is a lie! She doesn’t want to have anything to do with Mexico culture anymore). The biggest thing I run into is being slightly brown and people expecting me to know it. I’ve even been yelled at by other Hispanic people for being an embarrassment to our culture.
I’m a little scared about what people will say when we get to Central/South America but I’m determined to get it right this time. I understand it but I never had the confidence to speak it (unless you give me too much tequila and I blabber).
Keep it up! I’m proud of you!
@Erica
Spanish is what i’m going for thesedays! But problem is I don’t have anyone to practice with.
haha!
Yes. People just “Assume” a lot. Well, we all do but have to be some decency there. Sometimes I just pretend to not speak Korean, like a joke. haha! I just wanted to break their thought. I can recognize Koreans very accurate, but I never assume they are from Korea anymore. According to the lesson I pick up.
We should meet with a huge bottle of tequila. I will blabber in English and you do in Spanish! How’s it sound? haha!!
Thanks for sharing Erica!
The person who ignored you made the biggest mistake of her life by not talking to you. Sad thing is she does not even know it.
@Ted
That’s what I’m talking about!
Kidding. haha!
Well, at lease she gave me a material to write a long article!
Having been born in India, and coming to the USA when I was still a teenager, I can fully relate to you. Not only did I was made fun of because of my inability to speak English properly, but I also was subjected to racial slurs.
I am impressed with your confidence and your ability to communicate eloquently in a foriegn language.
My nephew was in S. Korea, a few years ago as a teacher of English (he is Canadian born) and he was very impressed with Korea, and learned to speak a little bit of it.
@Rasheed Hooda
Thanks for sharing your story. Appreciated it.
Many English teachers are here nowadays, I am quite envy them. Good era for English speakers.
People can be cruel sometimes.
Did your nephew like S.Korea?
Good that he picks up some Korean language!
well said darling! the minority is normally overlooked true.. but you have come a long way girl! I mean, look at your friends, your blog.. keep up the good work! you have my vote always!
@Ciki
Thanks hun!
Thank god you were on the way though. 
Yes I have come a long, long way. Can’t believe it. And still, long way to go.
Thanks!!
Hey, cool post Juno! I agree with you and can relate with you while learning other languages as I travel. And also, I do love your writing, you have a great way of getting the point accross, Keep it up! Great job!
@Mark
Thanks Mark! That means a lot to me.
I still have a long way to go, but I think I will make it. 
I was surprized by how language is relate to culture when I first really understand English. It’s amazing to realize.
Hope I could find it with other languages too!
My case is a bit different, but it just reflects how provincial some people are. I was traveling in Australia some time ago and some of the locals were amazed at me. They can;t believe that a Filipino can speak English like a native. I’m like, duh, in our country, English is like a second (and in some families) even the first language.
Good post, Juno. Same like you, I had to learn English through school first and later I taught myself. I think I’m a good English speaker by now and won’t be misunderstood. And I try to speak American English, just without an accent. Traveling forced me to speak English more frequently and it’s certainly the best way to get some confidence while speaking a foreign language.
It’s funny, how some native English speakers make fun of those, who don’t speak their language well. In 100 years Mandarin may replace English as a world language, who knows. People should be careful and appreciate the interest in learning their language. If people learn my native language Slovenian, we’re usually very impressed and appreciate every attempt to say few words, even if it sounds terribly broken. But well, we’re just 2 millions. I also wish Americans and native Eng speakers in general would speak more langages. I’m also fluent in German and speak a little Croatian, Italian and Mandarin. I’m still learning the latter.
that girl’s a bitch. I do understand people who act like that. Good thing I wasn’t with you or I might have gotten into a fight!
@Meaghan
Think so? I do too. LOL! Wonder what she’s doing by now though.
I started typing a comment here earlier but it grew so long that I think I’ll turn it into a blog post of its own! Short version – that girl was nasty, her loss!
@Abi
haha thanks Abi!
Good to hear I inspired someone’s post
Looking forward to read it!
Enjoy reading of the post and come to know more about the important of learning from the people and things around us. And in fact, it is the beauty of different cultures and languages which make the world to become amazing place.
@Trip hole
You are right. Different is what matters.
Shame sometimes people can’t see and just judge them.
What’s the point?
Thanks for dropping by
I agree, Juno! I am of course a native English speaker
, but it appalls me that so many English speakers can not only be rude to travelers in English-speaking countries, but also to people speaking their native language in their own country. I think people who consider English the world’s first language take it for granted that English is a very hard language to learn! People learn English or another language to better communicate with the world, so it is an effort and a courtesy on their part. Many people who speak English seem to feel that they do not have to learn other languages, but if they want to communicate with the world, they should and not complain about people who are working to learn English, I think.
I like to try to learn words in the native language of the country I visit, just because it is so expected from people who visit an English-speaking country that they will know some English. Chinese is a very big world language but no Chinese people were cold to me because I can’t speak Chinese! English speakers can be rude sometimes
Oh 맞아요! I totally understand you. Over the years I have seen many English speakers overlook the hard work it takes for non-English speakers to learn our language, and I feel really embarrassed about it. I’m so sorry that that girl was rude to you. When i first found your blog I was so amazed that you are writing in English – it just shows how much a person can achieve if they try hard enough. I think that language learning is one of the best ways to learn more about a culture, and that just because English is now a global language doesn’t mean that English speakers should use this as an excuse not to learn other languages. Actually I think we should use this to our benefit, as it allows us the ability to swap and share language with most of the world. During my time living in Sri Lanka, I took the time to learn Sinhala, a language that most tourists and even expats overlook because it is only spoken by 20 million people, and most of those people speak very good English. However, once I was able to speak Sinhala my relationships with my Sri Lankan friends opened up a lot more. I was invited to weddings, funerals, and all kinds of parties within my village, and my discussions with friends changed from superficial conversation to more deep and meaningful conversation on the traditions and politics that make up the backbone of Sri Lankan society.
In Korea I have also had the same experience. The more Korean I learn and use with my Korean friends, the more open they are with me. I think that even just learning a few phrases in another language can help to build bridges with new friends. Language is an exceptional gift, and I’m so impressed by what you do Juno. You show me that it really is possible to write (and presumably speak) like a native if you try hard enough. I hope that one day my foreign language skills will be as good as yours. And on behalf of my country (England) whom I know tends to have very thick and difficult accents to understand, I’m so sorry that you felt humiliated, and I’m sure if she saw your amazing blog, it would be HER who would feel humiliated.