In the enchanting land of windmills, tulip fields, and picturesque canals, a vibrant celebration engulfs the Netherlands each year on April 27th. King’s Day, or Koningsdag (in Dutch), is a national holiday that unites the Dutch people in a joyful display of heritage, unity, and collective pride. In this blog post, we give you ideas to celebrate it in different cities while embarking on the captivating journey of unraveling the essence of King’s Day and exploring its rich historical roots, cherished traditions. Undestand the contagious enthusiasm that permeates every corner of the country. Join us as we delve into the heart of this festive occasion, understanding what makes King’s Day an unparalleled experience in Dutch culture.

Origins and Evolution

To truly appreciate King’s Day, we must trace its origin in Dutch history. The precursor to this vibrant celebration was Queen’s Day, which began in the late 19th century to honor the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina. However, after the ascension of Queen Juliana to the throne in 1949, the date was shifted to April 30th, her birthday, and the tradition continued to thrive. It wasn’t until 2014, when Queen Beatrix abdicated in favor of her son, Willem-Alexander, that the holiday transformed into King’s Day, aligning with the new king’s birthday on April 27th. This change added a fresh chapter to the celebration and injected new energy into the festivities.

The Orange Phenomenon

One cannot speak of King’s Day without mentioning the vibrant display of orange that dominates the landscape. The color orange has deep historical significance in the Netherlands, dating back to the House of Orange-Nassau, the royal dynasty that has played a pivotal role in Dutch history. The Dutch people have embraced this hue as a symbol of national pride and unity, as orange is associated with the Dutch royal family. On King’s Day, the entire country transforms into a sea of orange, with people adorning themselves in orange clothing, accessories, and even face paint. The spirit of togetherness shines through this visual spectacle, as citizens young and old come together, transcending social and cultural barriers, to celebrate their shared Dutch heritage.

The Heartbeat of Celebration

King’s Day is a culmination of lively festivities that bring the Netherlands to life. The streets of cities and towns are filled with bustling markets, concerts, street performances, and parades, creating an electric atmosphere of joy and revelry. At the break of dawn, the “Vrijmarkt” (free market) takes center stage, where locals and visitors alike set up stalls to sell second-hand items, crafts, and homemade goods. Bargaining and treasure hunting become the order of the day, as the streets transform into a vibrant marketplace of laughter and friendly banter.

Music holds a special place in the heart of King’s Day, with street musicians and performers adding their melodic charm to the festivities. Traditional Dutch folk music, known as “volksmuziek“, fills the air, accompanied by modern beats and live bands, creating a symphony of celebration. Dance becomes an integral part of the experience, with impromptu street parties and open-air concerts encouraging everyone to join in and celebrate.

How to celebrate?

1. Amsterdam:

• Join the vibrant festivities at Vondelpark, where live music, food stalls, and a lively atmosphere await.
• Explore the canals and witness the famous “King’s Day Boat Parade” as boats decked out in orange sail through the waterways.
• Visit the Jordaan neighborhood, known for its charming atmosphere and bustling street markets.

2. The Hague:

• Experience the grandeur of King’s Day at the Binnenhof, the political heart of the Netherlands, where live music, dance performances, and cultural activities take place.
• Head to Lange Voorhout to enjoy a variety of art exhibits, food stands, and entertainment.

3. Utrecht:

• Take part in the massive street market along the canals of Utrecht, where you can find unique treasures and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
• Visit the Domplein square, which hosts music events, dance performances, and games throughout the day.

4. Rotterdam:

• Explore the vibrant Witte de Withstraat, known for its trendy bars, restaurants, and King’s Day celebrations.
• Join the festivities at the Parkhaven, where a diverse range of activities, including live music and street performances, awaits.

5. Eindhoven:

• Enjoy the festive atmosphere at Stratumseind, one of the longest pub streets in the Netherlands, where bars and clubs come alive with music and celebrations.
• Visit the bustling Kruisstraat, known for its lively street market and multicultural atmosphere.

6. Delft:

• Immerse yourself in the traditional charm of Delft’s historic center, where local markets, street musicians, and cultural performances add to the festive ambiance.
• Explore the beautiful canals and historic sites, such as the Oude Kerk and the Markt, which come alive with celebrations.

7. Groningen:

• Join the King’s Day celebrations at the Grote Markt, the central square of Groningen, where live music, dance performances, and a vibrant street market await.
• Visit the Noorderplantsoen park, where locals gather for picnics, games, and outdoor activities.

Remember, wherever you choose to celebrate King’s Day in the Netherlands, be sure to immerse yourself in the local traditions, wear orange, and embrace the festive spirit that permeates the entire country on this special day.

Presiona aquí para leer el artículo en español.

Did you know that academic intelligence is not a decisive factor when deciding intelligent someone is?

It is possible for a person to be very good at math but not so good at communication. According to the theory of psychologist Howard Gardner, it is possible that Lionel Messi is as intelligent as Stephen Hawking. This is because these two people have developed different types of intelligence.

Keeping this in mind is very important when deciding which is the best way to study.
Here you can find out more about these types of intelligence are and what jobs are best to develop each of them.

In this link you can do the test: https://www.idrlabs.com/multiple-intelligences/test.php

Number 1: verbal-linguistic intelligence

Some people are very good at understanding the meaning of words when they read or hear them. They also have a certain ability to remember dates and facts. Also, these people tend to be excellent storytellers.

Linguistic-verbal intelligence consists of the capacity for oral and written language. Some professions that have this area more developed are those developed by journalists, speakers and writers.

Number 2: logical-mathematical intelligence

For many years this type of intelligence has been considered the foundation of intelligence by definition but this is not correct. This intelligence includes: ability for logical thinking, abstraction, complex reasoning, numerical calculations, problem solving and critical thinking.

Some professions that develop this type of intelligence more are engineers, mathematicians and scientists.

Number 3: visual-spatial intelligence

Visual spatial intelligence refers to the ability to mentally visualize, recreate, and manipulate spaces.

Some professions that develop this type of intelligence more are designers, photographers and architects.

Number 4: musical intelligence

Musical intelligence refers to the ability to interact with musical instruments and nature in order to create complex musical pieces.

Obviously, the professions that develop this type of intelligence the most are musicians, composers and singers.

Number 5: bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence is the ability to dominate the body in order to manipulate different instruments and also to be able to perform certain acts. It contemplates the body’s ability to express emotions as in dancing, compete as in sports or create as in the plastic arts.

Examples of the professions that most develop this type of activity are: surgeons, actors, athletes and craftsmen.

Number 6: interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to feel empathy and communicate with other people.

An example of this type of intelligence are people who are sensitive enough to capture the moods, feelings and motivations of others and act accordingly.

This type of ability is also related to the ability to communicate with others in order to achieve a common goal.

Number 7: intrapersonal intelligence

Intrapersonal intelligence refers to the ability to understand oneself. It is the ability to understand one’s own emotions, sensations, thoughts and emotions.

Examples of people with this type of more developed intelligence are all people who have acquired the habit of self-reflection, either through meditation or by keeping a journal on their emotions and thoughts. Here we can also consider philosophers, theologians and psychologists.

This type of intelligence gives a certain advantage to the people who possess it, because they know their own strengths and weaknesses.

Number 8: naturist intelligence

Naturist intelligence translates into the sensitivity that some people show towards the natural world. It involves observing nature, recognizing flora and fauna, making certain distinctions in the natural environment, and using this skill productively.

Examples of professions that make use of this type of intelligence are all those related to agriculture and livestock, and also biologists.

Number 9: existential intelligence

Existential intelligence refers to the ability that human beings have to question our world.
Questions like: “Who are we?”, “What are we doing here?” or “why are we alive?” are typical of this type of intelligence.

This type of intelligence had not originally been included by Gardner in his 1983 book called “Frames of Mind”; however in the 2009 review titled “Multiple Intelligences” he suggested that this type of intelligence could also be included.

On the other hand, the same author in his book also acknowledges that additional intelligences may exist. Have you ever even heard of “emotional intelligence”? That may be another type of intelligence to consider, although it could also be understood as simply a fusion between interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences.

Do you know what your type of intelligence is?
You can click here to find out.

Press here to read this article in English.

¿Sabías que la inteligencia académica no es necesariamente un factor decisivo a la hora de decidir cuán inteligente es alguien?

Es posible que una persona sea muy buena con las matemáticas pero que no sea tan buena a la hora de comunicarse. Según la teoría del psicólogo Howard Gardner es posible que Lionel Messi sea tan inteligente como Stephen Hawking. Esto es porque estas dos personas desarrollaron diferentes tipos de inteligencia.

Tener esto en cuenta es muy importante a la hora de decidir cuál es la mejor forma de estudiar.

Aquí te contamos cuáles son esos tipos de inteligencia y qué ocupaciones son mejores para desarrollar cada una de ellas.
En este enlace puedes hacer el test: https://www.idrlabs.com/es/multiples-inteligencias/test.php

Número 1: inteligencia lingüístico-verbal

Algunas personas son muy buenas para comprender el significado de las palabras cuando las leen o las escuchan. También tienen determinada facilidad para recordar fechas y palabras. Además, estas personas por lo general son excelentes a la hora de contar historias.

La inteligencia lingüístico-verbal consiste en la capacidad para el lenguaje oral y escrito. Algunas profesiones que tienen esta área más desarrolladas son las desarroladas por los periodistas, los oradores y los escritores.

Número 2: inteligencia lógico-matemática

Durante muchos años este tipo de inteligencia ha sido considerado el pilar de la inteligencia por definición pero esto no es necesariamente correcto. La inteligencia lógico matemática contempla: la capacidad de lógica, abstracción, razonamiento complejo, cálculos numéricos, solución de problemas y pensamiento crítico.

Algunas profesiones que desarrollan más este tipo de inteligencia son los ingenieros, matemáticos y científicos.

Número 3: inteligencia espacio-visual

La inteligencia espacio visual se refiere a la capacidad de visualizar, recrear y manipular espacios mentalmente.

Algunas profesiones que desarrollan más este tipo de inteligencia son los diseñadores, fotógrafos y arquitectos.

Número 4: inteligencia musical

La inteligencia musical hace referencia a la capacidad de poder interactuar con instrumentos musicales y de la naturaleza para poder crear piezas musicales complejas.

Obviamente, las profesiones que más desarrollan este tipo de inteligencia son los músicos, compositores y cantantes.

Número 5: inteligencia corporal kinestésica

La inteligencia corporal kinestésica es la habilidad de dominar el cuerpo para poder manipular diferentes instrumentos y también para poder realizar determinados actos. Contempla la habilidad del cuerpo para expresar emociones como en la danza, competir como en los deportes o crear como en las artes plásticas.

Ejemplos de las profesiones que más desarrollan este tipo de actividad son: los cirujanos, actores, deportistas y artesanos.

Número 6: inteligencia interpersonal

La inteligencia interpersonal es la capacidad de poder sentir empatía y comunicarse con las demás personas.

Un ejemplo de este tipo de inteligencia son las personas que tienen la sensibilidad suficiente para captar los estados de ánimo, sentimientos y motivaciones de los otros y actuar en consecuencia.

Este tipo de habilidad también está relacionado con la capacidad de comunicarse con los otros para poder alcanzar un fin común.

Número 7: inteligencia intrapersonal

La inteligencia intrapersonal hace referencia a la capacidad de poder entenderse a sí mismo. Es la capacidad de poder entender las emociones, sensaciones, pensamientos y emociones propias.

Ejemplos de personas con este tipo de inteligencia más desarrollada son todas las personas que han adquirido el hábito de la autorreflexión, ya sea mediante la meditación o, por ejemplo, llevando un diario en el que escriben sus emociones. También los filósofos, teólogos y psicólogos.

Este tipo de inteligencia le da cierta ventaja a las personas que la poseen, porque saben cuáles son las fortalezas y debilidades propias.

Número 8: inteligencia naturista

La inteligencia naturista se traduce en la sensibilidad que demuestran algunas personas hacia el mundo natural. Implica observar la naturaleza, reconocer la flora y la fauna, hacer ciertas distinciones en el entorno natural y usar esta habilidad productivamente.

Ejemplos de profesiones que hacen uso de este tipo de inteligencia son todas aquellas relacionadas con la agricultura y la ganadería, y también los biólogos.

Número 9: inteligencia existencial

La inteligencia existencial hace referencia a la capacidad que tenemos los seres humanos para poder cuestionarnos el porqué de nuestro mundo.

Preguntas como: “¿quiénes somos?”, “¿qué hacemos aquí?” o “¿por qué estamos vivos?” son típicas de este tipo de inteligencia.

Este tipo de inteligencia no había sido originalmente incluido por Gardner en su libro de 1983 llamado “Frames of Mind”, sin embargo en la revisión del 2009, titulada “Multiple Intelligences” sugirió que este tipo de inteligencia también podría incluirse.

Por otro lado, el mismo autor en su libro también reconoce que pueden existir inteligencias adicionales. ¿Alguna vez escuchaste hasta hablar de la “inteligencia emocional”? Ese puede ser otro tipo de inteligencia a tener en cuenta, aunque también podría considerarse que la inteligencia emocional sea simplemente una fusión entre las inteligencias interpersonales e intrapersonales.

¿Ya sabes cuál es tu tipo de inteligencia?

Puedes hacer clic aquí para descubrirlo.

To learn a foreign language.

Presiona aquí para leer en español.

A lot of things are said about it and some are very accurate… but others not so much.

As a teacher of Spanish (my mother tongue) and English, and as a learner of English and Dutch, I give you my point of view in this video.

First and foremost: if you don’t know anything about the language you want to learn, and it doesn’t look like the language(s) you already know, are you going to understand anything when you get the explanations? Will you be able to ask questions and ask for confirmation?

In these cases a teacher who does speak your language is even necessary.

Every time you need to be introduced to a brand-new topic, it is better to fully understand the logic behind it. If not, chances are the teacher will start talking and communication will never get anywhere, i.e, you will never understand what is being said.

In fact, I happened to teach a student who is a Spanish speaker living in Amsterdam. She had unsuccessfully attended to multiple courses before finally reaching Understanding Languages, while still being a beginner. All those courses led to nowhere, as she could not understand any of the explanations and therefore, made zero progress until Spanish was used as bridge language.

On the other hand, if you already know the basics of this language and want to continue learning and mastering it, or it is a language that looks a lot like your own language and it can be deduced just by listening to it, then a teacher who is native can help a lot. Your whole learning process will be enhanced because it will give you another point of view, another perspective and you will also be in contact with a person who is from the culture which language you want to learn.

Then,

if you are a beginner it is better a teacher who speaks your own language, but if you already know the basics you can take advantage of having a native teacher by your side.

Beware! Being a native does not equal being a good teacher.

In my YouTube video I also talk about:

-the way in which a teacher who speaks your language can INSPIRE you,

-the optimization of resources for learning,

-the comparison of languages and grammars,

-the importance of changing teachers regularly,

-the characteristics of a good foreign-language instructor, whether or not they are native speakers,

-the undeniable benefit of being in touch with the pronunciation and vocabulary use of a native teacher,

-the different feelings a native and a non-native teacher has when it comes to “feeling” the culture.

To summarize, I believe that no option is either bad or good: nothing is better, nothing is worse. The best option is always the POSSIBLE option, because it is better to start NOW rather than not starting because you may not have the help of a native teacher available or, or on the contrary, you do not have the help of any teacher who speaks your language and helps you taking your first steps.

Start with what you have, start with the teacher(s) that is/are available, the one that suits your budget and the one that gives you the best vibe too.

IMPORTANT! A teacher that knows how to share the enthusiasm and gives you a good feeling is, after all, as important as a teacher that knows-it-all. Remember: the perfect teacher is the possible teacher. Over time, the possibilities of having classes with both a native and a non-native will arise and you will be able to verify first hand all these matters.

Keep in mind that if you want to learn English or Spanish as second languages with me and my group of teachers, here you will find all the information.

Para aprender una lengua extranjera.

Press here to read in English.

Se dicen muchísimas cosas al respecto y algunas son muy acertadas no tanto.

Como profe de español (mi lengua madre) y de inglés, y aprendiente de inglés y neerlandés, te doy mi punto de vista en este video.

Primero y principal: si no sabés nada de la lengua que querés aprender, y ésta no se parece al/los idioma(s) que sabés, ¿vas a entender algo cuando te den las explicaciones? ¿Vas a poder hacer preguntas y pedir confirmación? En estos casos un profesor que sí hable tu idioma es incluso es necesario. Cada vez que hay que dar explicaciones de cero es mejor que recibirlas en un idioma que sí se entiende. Si no, va a pasar que el docente se va a poner a hablar y la comunicación nunca va a llegar a ningún lado y vos nunca vas a entender.

De hecho, me ha pasado aquí en Ámsterdam tener alumnos que son hispanohablantes que han llegado sin hablar una sola palabra de inglés y me han contado que han ido a aprender inglés a otras academias o con otros profesores y estos profesores al no hablar el español no pudieron dar buenas clases.

En cambio, si ya sabés lo mínimo de este idioma y querés seguir aprendiendo, o bien es un idioma que se parece mucho a tu propio idioma y más o menos solamente con escucharlo podés deducir, o si querés perfeccionarte un profesor que sea nativo te puede aportar muchísimo. Todo tu proceso de aprendizaje se va a ver beneficiado porque te va a dar otro otro punto de vista, otra perspectiva y también vas a estar en contacto con una persona que sea de la cultura cuyo idioma vos querés aprender.

Entonces,

si sos principiante es mejor un profesor que hable tu idioma, pero si ya sabes algo le podés sacar un montón de partido a tener un profesor nativo.

Pero muchísimo MUCHÍSIMO cuidado porque ser nativo no significa ser un buen profesor.

En mi video de YouTube también hablo sobre:

-la forma en la que un profesor que habla tu idioma te puede INSPIRAR,

-la optimización de recursos para el aprendizaje,

-la comparación de idiomas y gramáticas,

-la importancia de cambiar de profesor regularmente,

-las características de un buen instructor de lenguas extranjeras, al margen de ser o no nativo,

-el innegable beneficio de oír la pronunciación e internalizar el uso de vocabulario de un profe nativo,

-la diferencias que siente un profe nativo y uno no nativo a la hora de “sentir” la cultura.

Para resumir, yo creo que ninguna opción es mala ni buena: no hay ninguna que sea mejor ni peor que otra. La mejor opción es siempre la opción POSIBLE, porque es mejor empezar que no empezar porque tal vez no tengo un profesor nativo o por el contrario no tengo ningún profesor que hable mi idioma y que me ayude a dar los primeros pasos.

Empezá con lo que puedas, empezá con los profesores o las profesoras o el profesor o la profesora que tengas disponible, el que se adecue a tus presupuestos, el que te dé mejor vibra también.

¡Súper importante! Que un profesor/a te sepa transmitir entusiasmo y que te dé buena onda es, a fin de cuentas, tan importante como el contenido en sí que te pueda dar durante la clase. El profe perfecto es el profe posible, y luego, con el tiempo, van a surgir las posibilidades de tener clases tanto con un nativo como con un no-nativo y vas a poder verificar estas cuestiones en primera persona.

Tené en cuenta que si querés aprender inglés o español como segundas lenguas conmigo y con mi grupo de profesores, aquí vas a encontrar toda la información.

SPOILER ALERT: it’s not possible to skip steps in your learning process. However, here you will find some tips that will help you keep the speed of your process at its highest rate.

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1) Make it meaningful. Find a reason to sit down every day to make an effort to improve: visiting fantastic destinations, moving abroad, enjoying art on a deeper level, getting a job promotion, expanding your social circle. The list of possible goals is infinite.

2) Immerse yourself. If you can, don’t hesitate in travelling abroad. Being surrounded by the language you’re learning will make a huge difference. It will also make it more meaningful, as you will be able to put all your knowledge into practice. If you can’t go abroad, meeting up with people who speak the language (be it online or in the real world) can also work wonders, even if they aren’t native.

3) Semi-immerse yourself. If you can’t travel right now, or practicing with other people is not a possibility, you can still semi-immerse yourself. That is: changing the language of all your devices into Spanish, listening to international music and watching as many films, series or TV shows as you can. Also, it is a good idea to watch the audio-visual content you already watch, but with subtitles in your target language. That way, without even realizing it, your brain will start making associations.

4) Study grammar and vocabulary, but don’t limit to that. Remember to pay attention to all the areas: listening, speaking, writing, culture and history. A language is a comprehensive channel of communication. Although it can’t be articulated without words and grammar structures, it is much more than just that.

5) Don’t skip your classes. Each class has a topic, and you won’t be able to communicate good if you have holes in your concepts. If for some reason you had to skip a class, don’t let that piece of information unconquered: ask your teachers or fellow students, go online and find tutorials, or read the books.

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To sum up: find a reason and work hard for it, covering all the flanks. Learning a language should be a positive thing to do, so don’t forget to have fun on the way.

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Para la versión es español, presiona aquí.

Argentina is a country with a high rate of immigration, both currently and historically. However, there is also a high number of qualified Argentine professionals living abroad. Where do they live? Why did they leave? What do they do and how? How do they experience life in other languages? In this post we discover the history of Carolina, Antonela and Aldana.

Carolina, Communication Specialist in Turin, Italy

Carolina Ortega lived all her life in Almagro, Buenos Aires City, where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations. At the age of twenty-five, after having worked for four years in Communication and Press, and inspired by a short transatlantic trip, she decided she wanted to know in depth the life that could be awaiting for her in other parts of the world. With a Working Holiday Visa to live and work in Portugal, she got into the plane. After comparing the European serenity with the chaotic pace of Buenos Aires, she decided she wanted to live permanently in the old continent. So she went back home to pick up some documents to acquire her Italian citizenship and made some research to choose a region to settle down. Next step was moving to Italy.

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Why did you choose Turin?

I knew that here there are document procurement specialists that had a lot of experience in cases like mine. My original plan was getting my EU passport and moving to other cities in Italy or Barcelona, where my family and friends are. But while I was waiting the procedure times, I met my boyfriend, who is Italian, we fell in love, and I decided to stay here in Turin with him.

What languages do you speak?

Spanish is my mother tongue, I also studied both English and Portuguese for a year as university subjects, and I learnt Italian living here.
A year of Portuguese was more than enough, because it’s very similar to Spanish. It was easy to get a bit more than basic notions to communicate fluently with Brazilian and Portuguese people. But today, after not practicing it, it is very hard for me to build sentences again.
On the other hand, a year of English was definitely not enough! After graduating I was not able to speak it well. So I decided to study it with a private teacher in Buenos Aires, for an extra year and a half. That helped me improve and feel more confident when producing sentences. Speaking English is super important to get better positions, and it was highly demanded in the job market, even in Argentina.
I learnt Italian with a basis of both Spanish and Portuguese. The three of them are very similar, and it can be quite messy! When I first started studying Italian, I couldn’t help thinking in Portuguese. It was very hard for me to make the switch. But at some point, after consuming local TV and music, and speaking a lot with my boyfriend in his language, I completely forgot Portuguese and started thinking in Italian.

How was the language shock with the Italian?

It was hard, particularly at work. It was a constant pressure. Nobody spoke Spanish, and it is a double effort to learn a language while learning how to perform a job.
If I was out with the friends of my boyfriend, I could turn off my listening when I was tired of paying attention, but I couldn’t do the same at work! I had understand very well what my bosses and coworkers said to me. I had to focus in learning the language.

What have you learnt after this multilingual experience?

I would say I’ve learnt four things. Firstly, I’ve learnt to listen to people. In our own language, we are sometimes in automatic pilot and we don’t really listen what people has to say.
Secondly, I’ve learnt to stop being ashamed to ask people to repeat as many times as necessary when I don’t understand something.
Thirdly, I’ve learnt to be patient and understand that learning a language is a process, and it is unrealistic to want to speak it in just a few days, even when you’re living in a country where it is spoken. At the end of the day, that pressure and anxiety takes a toll on you.
Finally, I assimilated the fact that a new language is also the entrance to a new culture. It is through the language that you get to understand a lot of things from life-styles and people in general.

To get to know more about Carolina and her adventures, you can visit her website or her Instagram.

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Antonela, digital marketing in Turkey

Antonela Ferrari has been living in Istambul for five years. She met her now husband in a study trip to Italy. After that trip, she came back to Argentina for five months, and decided to move definitely to the land of her love.

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How is working in Istambul?

It’s not easy— there are professions that are banned for expats, because they are reserved for locals, for example, medicine. There is a lot of demand for language teachers and, in fact, the salaries of the people with a degree in that field are quite high. But for the rest, the payment is quite low, work-life balance is not great, and the hierarchic system is very rooted.
I started working here four and a half years ago, and I have been doing digital marketing, communication and free-time tourism for over two years. Before that, I worked in medical tourism, and in the Bolivian Consulate as a secretary.

What languages do you use there?

Mostly English. I am bilingual because my mother is an English teacher and a part of my family lived in Canada, so I have always been in touch with it. However, to live in Turkey it is necessary to speak the local language, because most people do not speak English.
As soon as I moved here, my husband enrolled me in a Turkish language course, but it’s Greek Turkish to me (pun intended). It is a language that has no subject and predicate and no verb to be, the main verb goes at the end of the sentence and everything has prefixes. They have eight vowels, different consonants and a very different pronunciation. Even today, after five years, I can’t understand my husband when he speaks it. Truth is: I can’t think in that language. The structure is completely different from the one in languages with Latin roots.

What things would you have liked to know before going to Turkey?

I would have liked to have more time to prepare myself with the language.
When I arrived, my husband enrolled me in an intensive course, away from the touristic places. My fellow classmates were from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. It was easy for them, as they all spoke Arabic or Persian. I was the slowest in that class. I would have liked to come here with some base, to have to a bit of an advantage.

To discover more about Antonela, you can visit her Instagram.

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Aldana, graphic designer in Denmark

For the last twelve months, Aldana lived with her boyfriend, Eric, in Scandinavia, with a Working Holiday Visa. Yafuetodo.project is the name of the account they use to share in Instagram and Youtube their everyday experiences and the places they visit. They have already spent a year in Denmark, and they are moving to Germany next week. Aldana answers the following questions.

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Where are you from, and how did you get to know each other?

I was born in Bragado, a city in Buenos Aires Province, and Eric is from Sarmiento, a town in Chubut, a province in the south of Argentina. We met for the first time while we were studying in the University of Mar del Plata. After we got our degrees, we both wanted to move to Buenos Aires to work, so we went together. That was our first adventure.

Why did you decide to go to Denmark?

We both individually wanted to experience living in another country. We love Buenos Aires and we were definitely not tired of living there, but we were tired of the working routine. It made no sense for us to work a whole year to be able to travel only one month. We think life is more than just working.

And what do you do now?

We are both designers, with clients in Argentina and the rest of the world, through freelancing online platforms. I don’t know what the future in Germany will hold for us, but in Denmark we had a few other jobs as well, as possibilities were arising.

What about the language and communication?

We both speak Spanish, and a bit of English. We don’t speak Danish, except for some words or phrases.
My English is quite good, and I can communicate fluently. For Eric it was a bit harder, because he had less English when he was at school. To level up, he studied with a private teacher when we were still at university.
Even though my English is good, speaking it on the phone used to make me very nervous. I even had palpitations sometimes, because I couldn’t see the person, and I had to solely trust the words.
All in all, I think the process of adapting to English and Danish environments was quite smooth and natural.

What did you learn after living and working in Denmark?

I think that we mostly get over that fear that someone can have when being in a place where people speak in another language; but something in the mind helps you make the switch. It is a process, and we didn’t wake up one morning speaking fluent and perfect English, as a magic thing. But living here did force us to stop being afraid. It was a matter of survival.
One of my goals in this trip was to improve my English, and I think that is something I already have in the pocket.

To discover more about Aldana and her adventures with her boyfriend, you can visit their Instagram or their Youtube channel.

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What do you think about these people? Would you dare to move to a place where people speak a language you don’t? If you need help to start or perfect your Spanish (or English) before setting off, reach out and send a message.