Case Study: Ella Williams – Morocco, 2022

Spending the past six months in Morocco has been an incredible experience, and I’d like to thank the John Speak Trust for supporting me in my journey with learning Tachelhit. When I first decided to seriously dedicate myself to learning Tachelhit back in 2020, it wasn’t clear to me how I’d realistically be able to…

Read More

Case Study: Shakeel Rahman – Amman, Jordan 2022

The last three months of studying Arabic in Jordan have been incredible! It has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. Having the opportunity to practice Arabic with fellow students and Jordanians has been extremely invaluable. The progress that I have made in the space of a few months may have taken at least a…

Read More

Case Study: Monae Bailey, Spain – 2021/22

During my year abroad, I spent the first semester studying in Alicante and the second semester doing an internship in Salamanca. Both of these experiences were incredible and allowed me to immerse myself in the Spanish lifestyle and meet a lot of different people while improving my knowledge of the language. It was also a…

Read More

Case Study: Julia Freytag, Berlin, Germany – 2022

The John Speak Trust has provided with me with the opportunity to really improve my German. I have enjoyed living in Berlin so much, I have made wonderful friends and met people from all around the world (including this adorable little bear!) This is truly such a multicultural city, and I am so pleased that…

Read More

Case Study: Lucy Cooper, Le Mans, France 2022

  As part of my undergraduate degree in French and Spanish, I have spent the last six months working in Le Mans, France in order to improve my French language skills. During this time, I have taught English to ages 7-24, allowing me to gain a real insight into the French education system across all…

Read More

Case study: Hana Lowry, Tokyo, Japan, 2021

Studying for my master’s degree in Tokyo has been a great opportunity for my academic and personal growth. Navigating Japanese academia and workplaces through internships and other opportunities offered me insights into different working environments and practices and gave me the chance to learn to leverage my own strengths in any given situation.  A particular…

Read More

Case Study: Sam King, Salamanca, Spain – 2021

As part of my Master’s degree I was lucky enough to spend my first semester in Salamanca, in Spain. My Master’s is in Latin American studies, with a focus on Latin American History, and I spent my term studying in the department of the Americas, with professors and students from around the world. It was…

Read More

Hannah Stewart: Case Study – Granada 2021

My time in Granada I was very fortunate to be able to spend last year working and studying in the beautiful city of Granada. As an undergraduate student of Politics and Spanish I had spent many years looking forward to my year abroad. Although it wasn’t exactly the most ‘normal’ experience, I would not change…

Read More

Holly O’Mahony: Case Study – Geneva 2020-21

I have had the pleasure of spending the last year in Geneva, Switzerland, where I have been completing the first year of my Masters degree in International Affairs. Alongside my regular classes I took weekly French classes, and was pushed to improve my French through my interactions with French-speaking friends and the broader Geneva community.…

Read More

Case Study: Harry Nellis, Stuttgart, Germany 2020-21

As part of my undergraduate degree in German & History, I spent the last 9 months of the past academic year in Stuttgart, Germany. During this time, I taught English in a Realschule, using my time to gain an insight into life at a German school and use my language skills in a job setting.…

Read More

Case Study: Abigail Pidgeon – Vienna 2021

I have been living in Austria for the last 10 months, since I got the wonderful opportunity to study at the prestigious University of Vienna. I was very nervous to leave home back in September, as I had never been away from my family and friends for so long, but I was also incredibly excited.…

Read More