24 Things That Surprised Me in Japan: A 2014 Travel Memoir
Benny shares 24 things that surprised him during a 2014 trip to Japan, from onsen etiquette and compact design to language and food.
Category: Culture
The bumpy road of travel, and the benefits that come about from it [First week in Japan]
From the blog’s origin era (2009–2014), kept as lived proof of the method. See all the missions. Time to give you my update from Japan! I got into Okinawa just over a week ago, and have been settling in, exploring that beautiful island paradise, and have just got into Kyoto, where I’ll be spending the […]
An International Guide to Food and Eating Etiquette
Learn how eating customs differ around the world, from chopsticks and shared dishes to table manners, hosts and respectful travel.
National Geographic Traveler of the Year – a win for language learning tourism
Read Benny’s announcement about being named a National Geographic Traveler of the Year and why he saw it as a win for language-learning travel.
My summer on the Pacific Coastal Highway – a European on an American road trip!
Archive note (2013): I wrote this before announcing my next three-month project. The language-learning updates that followed documented me starting from scratch, sharing my struggles and working towards my goal, all while in Spain and learning a non-European language entirely online. That’s why I wanted to precede all those intense language-learning updates and encouragement posts […]
Valencia, Spain: My new home for the next language project!
Benny returns to Valencia, explains why it became his new home and sets a short Valenciano project before his next language mission.
20 Practical Ways to Reduce the Risk of Theft While Travelling
Twenty practical travel-safety habits to reduce theft risk, protect your phone and cards, and act quickly if something is stolen.
7 Ways to Study a Language Abroad Without Going Broke
Susan Shain shares seven ways to reduce the cost of studying a language abroad, with current checks for visas, safety, fees and programme terms.
Why it’s better to learn a language from children when abroad
Emily shares how conversations with children in Switzerland helped her practise German, hear Swiss German and worry less about mistakes.
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