Over time it became one of the most practical and meaningful tools I carry with me. Recently I met a traveler from Mexico while abroad and because I spoke Spanish, we were able to move past surface level introductions and talk about world events, culture, and travel experiences. That conversation would not have happened in the same way without the language. Spanish has also mattered professionally. In hospitals in the Chicagoland area, signs are often in English, Spanish, and Polish because so many patients speak Spanish. While certified interpreters are required for formal documentation, simply greeting a patient in their own language can lower anxiety, build trust, and signal respect.
In Malawi, I have learned that the same principle applies with Chichewa. Even basic greetings such as asking how someone is or commenting on the day can change an interaction. I have experienced this directly when stopped at police checkpoints. What could feel tense often shifts when I greet officers in Chichewa. The interaction becomes conversational. They ask how long I have been in the country. It becomes human rather than transactional. More than once, that shift has meant no ticket. Language also affects safety. When you understand what people around you are saying, you are more aware of your surroundings. When traveling alone, that awareness matters. Speaking the local or regional language can help you build quick friendships, find guidance, and recognize when to pay closer attention. It creates both connection and confidence. Language requires humility. You will not be perfect. But most people respond positively to effort. Speaking someone else’s language, even imperfectly, communicates care. And care is often returned.
