Taking a Trip Abroad - How to Plan it - Part Four - Take Some Classes

Classes are a really cool way of learning about the region you're going to and also can be fabulous for picking up some basic foreign language skills. It may seem pointless to learn a few words of a foreign language but, in many countries, if you just try to speak their language you'll get more help and often cheaper prices too!

When I was moving to Thailand, 3 months beforehand, I started taking classes at the local Thai temple near me in Los Angeles. I took classes on Saturday and Sunday mornings for 3 hours each day, so I at least could ask simple questions when I got here. Reading and writing was out for me (and still is, even though I've lived in Thailand for almost 5 years now), but the simple words and phrases I picked up were invaluable once I got here. I often get cheaper prices because I can ask "How much?" in Thai and know the answer when they tell me.

So, check out your local community college or university and see what they're offering. Many of them not only offer basic foreign language instruction in languages such as Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Vietnamese etc. but they also have great travel-related courses. If you haven't even decided where you want to go yet, taking a couple of classes could help you make the decision.

Also, don't forget the internet. There are some wonderful online classes you can sign up for, they're cheap (some are even free) and there is no need to even leave the house. Look at Distance Learning French for some online French language classes you can take, or EZlearn Chinese Academy for FREE online Chinese classes. I brush up on my Thai language at a fabulous Thai website Learning Thai.com. Also if youre in the Seattle area, Rick Steves offers free travel classes which sound amazing. Or look at university websites - many of them offer online classes at a much cheaper cost than the same class in the 'real world'. You can also work at your own pace, which can be a plus, especially if some people in the class are young university students who are used to studying every day.