In this blog entry, I would like to reflect on how I deal with the languages I use here in my everyday life and in my studies. My university is international, which means that all courses are taught in English. At the beginning, I honestly had a lot of respect for the idea of studying completely in English. I asked myself whether I would understand everything in lectures and whether I would be able to keep up in presentations. By now I can say that it works very well. The content is explained in a clear way, there are no unnecessarily complicated technical terms, and I notice that I can follow the courses without any problems. 

What also helps me a lot is my environment. Many of my friends here are native English speakers. Through normal everyday conversations I constantly learn new expressions and phrases that you would never really get from normal language classes. In group work I especially notice how quickly you improve when you discuss tasks together, try to find solutions, and give each other feedback. Because of that, I’ve become much more confident when speaking, and I now feel very comfortable using English even in academic situations. 

It’s different with French. I studied French in school for four years, but in the end mostly the basics stayed. Surprisingly, those basics are often enough for everyday situations. When someone stops me on the street and asks for directions or wants me to take a photo, I can usually answer in French. I can also manage in cafés and in shops most of the time.

It becomes more difficult when someone talks very fast or uses a lot of informal language. In those moments I ask politely if the person also speaks English. Most of the time that works, but especially older people or people in less touristy areas often only speak French. In that case, I just try to stay calm, use very simple sentences, and, if needed, explain things with my hands. And honestly, that works surprisingly well. In the end, you usually understand each other, even if the grammar isn’t perfect. I’ve already learned a lot from these situations. First of all, it’s important to admit when you didn’t understand something. That doesn’t make you look weak; it shows that you’re trying. I’ve also realized how valuable it is to leave your comfort zone. Of course, the easiest thing for me would be to just speak German. But that’s simply not an option here and that’s exactly why I grow from it. I try, even when I’m not 100% sure. I make mistakes, but those mistakes help me. Every successful interaction, no matter how imperfect, gives me more confidence. 

Because I’m constantly communicating in English and French, I’ve started to think much more about how I come across when I speak. I pay attention to being clear, and I really listen to the other person. If something isn’t clear, I ask, or I ask them to explain it in different words. I’ve learned that with patience, respect, and simple sentences, you can get very far. These skills go beyond language, they are generally important for dealing with other people. 

I’m convinced that this experience will be useful for me later in my professional life. In international teams, it’s important to communicate clearly, ask follow-up questions, and find solutions together. That’s exactly what I’m practicing every day here. I take responsibility for understanding what others say and for making sure they understand me. Because of that, I feel more capable, even if things are not always perfect. 

When I look back at the beginning, I realize how unnecessary my fear actually was. Today I’m proud of myself for having the courage to do this and for staying with it. Studying in English works really well now, and in French I’m improving step by step. Many small moments show me that it’s worth it. A short conversation in the supermarket, a friendly exchange on the bus, or an explanation that somehow works with just two words and a smile. 

In the end, I’ve learned this: courage and kindness get you further than perfection. You have to be willing to make mistakes, that’s the only way to get better. I really want to keep that mindset, because it helps me not just with languages, but in life in general.