Language has always been a core part of my life. Growing up with a French mother, I was introduced to a foreign language at a young age. The opportunity to learn a second language is something I’ve always been very appreciative of. Traveling to France through my teenage years and into my adulthood, I looked forward to any opportunity to get to practice. It started with small phrases, like how to order, then grew into more complicated scenarios, like sharing stories. Language, for me, has been a crucial part of my life and something I love to encourage others to pursue.
When choosing to learn a language, I think we often assume it’s something that can only be done when we were young and in school. I remember taking Spanish through high school and thinking that it would be the last time I would learn a foreign language. With the incredible program from Rosetta Stone, I found that I couldn’t have been more wrong.
This spring, I partnered with Rosetta Stone to try out their language learning software to learn Japanese for five months. Yes, I said Japanese! With their 25th anniversary this year, Rosetta Stone has been delivering incredible tools and resources for all ages to learn languages from all over the world. They have been a trusted source for companies like NASA in training their staff in foreign languages, and have developed modernized technology to learn a new language in a more approachable way than ever. It’s incredible to think that for 25 years, Rosetta Stone has helped countless people learn a new language and connect countries all over the world.
I was quite skeptical about learning how to speak Japanese, as I knew it would be a challenge. My husband and I are headed there in September, so I chose Japanese as I wanted to have basic conversational skills before going. I’m three months into using Rosetta Stone and I am so excited to share this journey with you.
The process of learning to speak a new language has been a challenge I’ve come to love — I find that I surprise myself every time I do a new lesson. Phrases that stick, learning activities that help build upon skills, and live tutoring have been parts of Rosetta Stone that have encouraged me to continue pursuing Japanese. It’s not a perfect journey, but the act of pursuing the language has given me a new confidence in learning as an adult.
As I continue learning Japanese with Rosetta Stone, I will be sharing more about the process and how the tools prepare me for my trip right here on the blog. Be sure to stay tuned for part two!
*Thank you to Rosetta Stone for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
1 Comment
Portuguese is such a beautiful language! All the best!