Steve McManaman Quotes

Going to another country you're not in your house, you're with people you've never met before, and I think it's definitely a good growing experience.

The experience of travelling, getting familiar with other languages, other cultures definitely helps. It makes you a better person.

I first went to Barcelona in 1975 after university, and I stayed for three years. I learnt Catalan because that's what everyone speaks in the mountains. They speak English to foreigners, but what people say to each other is much more important than what they say to you.

In college, I was a researcher/writer for 'Let's Go: Europe,' assigned to Crete and Cyprus. I was supposed to go to England, but at the last minute they transferred me, despite the fact that I spoke not a word of Greek. I learned the very basics, and to this day can say 'oil,' 'vinegar,' and 'boyfriend in America.'

It's a very immersive and intense form of travel to walk around with an interpreter and stop random people on the street and ask them about their lives.

I loved France, although I initially thought they were stubborn for always speaking French.

The benefits of studying abroad are huge. You can pick up a new language, develop a love for another culture, and pick up new skills, hobbies and work experience to boost your CV.

I learned Spanish as my second language from middle school through high school. I grew up volunteering at homeless shelters and tutoring kids of Latin immigrants in Atlanta, who didn't speak any English. That prepared me for when I traveled.

Sports just happen to be excellent for avoiding foreign-language stage fright and developing lasting friendships while still sounding like Tarzan.

In addition to the research, I enjoyed learning French and assimilating the culture of another country.

I am very happy since when I am in different cities I can experience and learn different cultures!

I think that one of the main privileges of what I do, which I am just starting to learn, is to have the ability to travel all over the world and experience different cultures.

In Italy, I had an Afro, and a lot of the kids came up and felt my hair. It really was funny. I wish I had understood Italian.

I've never been in any country for more than four years, and I'm learning different languages all the time. It gives you a different attitude.

My English was limited to vacationing and not really engaging with Americans. I knew 'shopping' and 'eating' English - I could say 'blue sweater,' 'creme brulee,' and 'Caesar salad,' - so I came here thinking I spoke English.

Part of me wonders what it would have been like to have had my first experience of India in a normal way, rather than through the eyes of a film.

I lived my twenties on the road, in all different countries experiencing this momentum of a career which was taking off in its own way.

I wanted to do something far from my intellectual and physical home, so I went to live in Beijing for eight months and took Mandarin Chinese.

I know just enough Japanese to get by if I get lost and greet an audience properly, just from having a lot of Japanese friends and being there over the years.

I suppose if I went to Turkey - I mean, I can't imagine going that far away, but if I did go to Turkey, yes, I would probably try to know 'please' and 'sorry' and 'thank you', and 'a beer please', and all the useful words.

When we moved to Europe when I was a teenager, I really did not want to go. I was happy in my school, with my friends, but looking back on it, it was the best experience I've ever had. We traveled every weekend. I experienced incredible new cultures, museums, cities, and it really opened up my eyes.

I want to broaden my horizons, speak a new language, meet new people, and experience a different culture.

I actually love the challenge of being in a new place where I'm so obviously the foreigner.

When I went to Germany, all I knew were German swear words.

We're really creating a whole different kind of travel experience. One that really celebrates the different places, different cultures, the different cities and immerses you in that culture.