My travel photos: SOAS language learners abroad
This summer, SOAS Language Centre students shared snapshots of their journeys abroad, immersing themselves in language, landscapes and culture along the way.
Every term, students from around the world join us at the SOAS Language Centre to study languages ranging from Amharic to Korean, Sanskrit to Yorùbá. This summer, while our classrooms were quiet, we invited those students who had spent time abroad to immerse themselves in the language to send photographs of their time. Here are a few of the entries.
Seeing sunsets and cityscapes
Learning Arabic: Sunset view from the mountain highlands in Saudi Arabia
“I started learning Arabic a number of years ago while travelling in the Middle East. Speaking Arabic helps me to interact with the kind and generous culture of the region and make friends in new places. My advice for learning is to focus on reading and learn at your own pace.” James B, Arabic
Learning Japanese: Visiting Kusatsu
"I’m fond of Japanese culture and decided to study it because I wanted to understand their language as well. I completed Japanese beginner one in July this year and had the chance to visit Karuizawa and Kusatsu early this year." Peggy, Japanese
Learning Arabic: Communicating through adversity
“I was in Jordan in June to study Arabic for two weeks. I arrived two hours before the beginning of the Iran-Israel war and was there for the entire time. I heard صفارات الانذار (anti-airstrike sirens) in Amman daily and saw the missiles flying over at night. I saw all these wonderful places alone, as there were no tourists because of the war, as the airport was shut. So, I got to have the most wonderful conversations (in Arabic) with the Jordanians I met, listening to their stories and hopes and experiences. I came back a different, better person.” Sara T, Modern Standard Arabic
Immersing yourself in cafe culture
Learning Levantine Arabic: Tea in the old city of Damascus
"'Shai tniin, bidun sukar, law samaht! Enjoying tea at the Nawfara Cafe, in the old city of Damascus." Christine, Levantine Arabic
Learning Turkish: Cafe culture in Diyarbakır
“Taken in April in Diyarbakır, Turkey, I experienced the vibrant scenery and welcoming atmosphere where Turkish and Kurdish cultures come together.” Aimee A, Turkish
Using language for the every day
Learning Korean: Shopping in Seoul
“I've been studying Korean, and I got to go to Korea for the first time this year. Here I am very pleased with myself, having managed to use my Korean to go shopping in Mangwon market in Seoul.” Sian, Korean
Learning Bangla: গবেষণা (research) in Bangladesh
"I am a researcher, and in Bangla the word gobeshona (গবেষণা) means 'research.' Here I am with my colleague Hasan, a professor at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka. We are researching in a garment factory in Bangladesh to learn how factories are adapting to climate change and how the climate crisis is affecting workers' day-to-day lives and well-being." Rebecca, Bangla
A language comes to life when you experience it in the country where it’s spoken. If these stories have inspired you to start your own journey, the SOAS Language Centre is the place to explore a unique range of languages from around the world.
