My parents were teenagers during the war: my father was in the FTP MOI, spoke Serbo-Croatian fluently by the end of the conflict, and his only trip was finishing the war on an American base listening to jazz with surviving Black GIs... no formal education, then.
My mother fled the war as a refugee to Bern, Switzerland, not understanding a word the family said, then went back to school for her certificate and became a factory worker—so no studies for her either...
When he took early retirement from the steel industry at 56, my father started learning Italian (to visit Rome and Tuscany), Spanish (for Madrid, Seville...), and English for New York City...
Meanwhile, my mother brushed up on the English she’d barely touched and the German she’d learned with my brother and me in secondary school...
In short, a generation with little schooling, from the working class... who took up languages for one single reason: to chat during trips.
They’d cover for each other’s housing mishaps and their ability to make themselves understood with locals—no internet, not much help.
I get that former high school or university students might struggle to get back into it... but as a boss once said, "It’s a tool for measuring motivation."
Hi there,
I’m thinking of doing a short language-stay this summer to practice Russian. Given the current situation, I’d prefer to stay in Europe if possible (no visa). And I don’t think Ukraine is really a good idea either—I’d feel weird being a tourist while they have more important concerns right now. Any ideas where I could go?
Thanks so much!
Hi,
I want to do a trip to practice my Russian this summer. Since it’s simpler, I’d rather stay in Europe (no visa). And I’m not sure Ukraine is a good idea—being a tourist there right now doesn’t feel quite right to me. Do you have any destination ideas?
Thanks!
I’m thinking of doing a short language-stay this summer to practice Russian. Given the current situation, I’d prefer to stay in Europe if possible (no visa). And I don’t think Ukraine is really a good idea either—I’d feel weird being a tourist while they have more important concerns right now. Any ideas where I could go?
Thanks so much!
Hi,
I want to do a trip to practice my Russian this summer. Since it’s simpler, I’d rather stay in Europe (no visa). And I’m not sure Ukraine is a good idea—being a tourist there right now doesn’t feel quite right to me. Do you have any destination ideas?
Thanks!









