07/03/2023
By Travel & Photography Magazine]
Language is the road map of a culture, helping you to connect and create! With CARSON β TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY] / "At the age of 19 I decided I wanted to serve a 2-year mission for my church and I was assigned to Bacolod, Philippines. This is where my love affair with this country began. Before arriving in the Philippines, I studied the local language (Hiligaynon) for two months. But once I arrived I was assigned to an area that spoke a completely different language, which is called Cebuano or Bisaya. Over the course of two years, I was able to learn both Hiligaynon and Bisaya fluently.
During my two years as a missionary, I did many service projects for the community and fell deeply in love with the Philippines. Leaving my family for two years at the age of 19 was super tough at the beginning. I got hit hard with culture shock when I first arrived. Though, after about 3 or 4 months I got really adjusted and about 6 months in I felt pretty comfortable with the language.
Language is HUGE when it comes to connecting with the locals. Because I speak two Filipino languages, I connect and bond with the locals so much deeper than the foreigners who donβt. The locals instantly trust you and you become part of their inner circle. When I visited South America and other Southeast Asian countries, I tried my best to learn as much as I could during my visit. I obviously didnβt become fluent in the few weeks I spent there, but I noticed a different attitude with the locals when they saw me put effort into speaking their language, even if it was just a few sloppy sentences.
I always make an effort to write down new words every day and slowly learn sentences during my stay in a new country. Itβs the number one way to open the hearts of the local people in my opinion." Travel & Photography Magazine]: This small story is part of one of our favorite interviews of 2021. In CARSON β TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY]'s interview, you will learn a mired of tips to enjoy a meaningful and immersive experience in a foreign country. And how learning a new language can really make a difference in your career as a content creator!
