Lessons from Paris: How Travel Deepened My Love for Language
Learning Through Immersion.
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of traveling to Paris, the City of Light, love, and of course, langue française. What started as a personal journey quickly turned into a professional awakening about the true power of language and how it shapes the way we connect with the world.
Stepping off the plane, I realized something important: Paris doesn’t just speak French, it lives it. From café menus to metro maps to the conversations floating through the air, I was reminded that language is more than vocabulary and grammar rules. It’s the rhythm of a culture, the heartbeat of daily life.
Every “bonjour,” “merci,” and “au revoir” wasn’t just a polite exchange, it was an invitation into a community. This made me reflect on how meaningful it is when we, as learners, take the first step toward another person’s language. It’s an act of respect, and it creates space for understanding.
While in Paris, I pushed myself to order food in French, ask for directions, and even stumble through small talk with locals. Were my sentences perfect? Not at all. But what I learned is that confidence matters more than perfection. Parisians were warm and encouraging when I made the effort, and I grew more comfortable with each interaction.
This experience reinforced what I teach at Studio De Langues: you learn best when you use language actively, even if you make mistakes. Language is meant to be lived, not just studied..
Here are three lessons I brought back from Paris that apply to anyone learning a new language:
Start Small, Be Consistent – Even short interactions (“une baguette, s’il vous plaît”) build confidence.
Mistakes Are Teachers – Every slip-up helps you grow; don’t fear them.
Connect with Culture – Language and culture are inseparable. Dive into the music, films, and traditions of the language you’re studying.
At Studio De Langues, LLC, our mission is to make language learning both practical and inspiring. My trip to Paris reminded me why this work matters: because every new word learned is a door opened — to relationships, opportunities, and deeper cultural understanding.
So whether your goal is to travel, grow professionally, or connect with others more meaningfully, remember: learning a language is a journey worth taking.