Six Languages Later: My Journey as a Language Addict (and How You Can Start Yours)

My mom loves to tell this story: the 12-year-old me, ecstatic beyond belief, jumping up and down and thanking her like someone who just won the lottery—not a modest sum, but the life-changing kind. The reason for my euphoria? She let me sign up for a beginner’s German class at the local language school. Yes, German. Not French with its romantic flair or Spanish with its sunny vibes. I was excited for the sharp consonants and linguistic gymnastics of Deutsch. Jackpot, indeed.

Let me set the scene: these were not carefree days. My dad had recently passed away, leaving my mom, me, and the charming disaster known as puberty to fend for ourselves. But I was surprisingly low-maintenance. No moody obsessions with boys or endless experiments with eyeliner at the time (all that came in my 20s). My passion projects as a teenager were the piano, books, perfect grades, and learning languages.

For context, this wasn’t the era of YouTube tutorials and Duolingo streaks. Learning a foreign language back then was a serious investment of both time and money. At school, we had one foreign language—English—starting at the ripe old age of 10 or 11. Except for me. I got a head start at 7, thanks to my parents, who’d noticed I had a good ear for languages. That same ear landed me in music school.

It probably didn’t hurt that my mom was a Croatian language and literature teacher. From a young age, she let me sit by her side while she marked spelling and grammar tests. While most kids my age were watching cartoons, I was gleefully spotting errors in orthography. And that’s how I learned the very tricky rules of my native language, Croatian, but also got a gist of how grammar works in most European languages, which came in handy later.

Later, in high school, which in Croatia kicks off at 14/15, we had both English and German as mandatory subjects. To be honest, I was a bit underwhelmed. I mean, where was the French? The Italian? Anyone? The answer was, unsurprisingly, nowhere. And this was long before the concept of online learning was even a twinkle in the internet’s eye, so I had to get creative. I’d heard there was a native French speaker in my town, so I approached her for private lessons. Conveniently, she also happened to be an Italian teacher. Talk about a two-for-one deal.

By then, I had already started thinking about studying abroad, and that “abroad” turned out to be Vienna. Naturally, I decided I should double down on German like my entire future depended on it. Summers were spent in Vienna at a language school, grinding away at my German skills. And when I finally made the move there for university, I didn't just bring my clothes—I carted along four huge boxes packed with dictionaries, grammar books, exercises, and overviews in five different languages.

Now that I think of it, thank God for Kindle.

My first alma mater—shoutout to the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration—offered an impressive lineup of electives, including languages. Naturally, I couldn’t resist. Alongside Spanish, I dived headfirst into Japanese, a language so different from anything I’d learned that it felt like unlocking a whole new part of my brain.

The fascination didn’t stop there. By the time I was doing a PhD at my second alma mater (shoutout to the University of Vienna), I was so hooked on Japan that I wrote my dissertation on it, snagged a Japanese government scholarship, and packed my bags for a few months in Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe and Hiroshima. There was just one tiny catch: I had to take a very (and I mean very) intensive Japanese course while there. It was so thorough that, by the end, I delivered a presentation comparing Japan's post-World War II economic miracle to the economic system of socialist Yugoslavia—in casual, fluent Japanese. Yes, there’s a recording. Yes, I sounded legit.

But life, being life, had other plans. With too many projects pulling me in different directions, I had to press pause on Japanese. Not one to sit idle, I casually picked up Chinese at my third alma mater (shoutout to the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna). Years later, I revisited it during two summers in Singapore and Hong Kong respectively, thanks to my fourth alma mater (shoutout to Harvard Kennedy School). And then, fast forward a few years, I found myself in Spain—working, living, and falling head over heels. With the country and with a man. The result? My Spanish skyrocketed to advanced levels. Love (and daily life in Valencia) makes an excellent language tutor.

These days, I find myself in Switzerland, and after 2.5 years, I can confidently say I understand most Swiss German. I stick to speaking standard German (Hochdeutsch), and it works just fine. As it stands, I can fluently speak six languages: Croatian, English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian. Years ago, I even passed the C2 (most advanced) level in English, German, French, and Italian. But time has a way of reshuffling priorities, and while I still love Italian, my Spanish has far surpassed it. To bridge the gap, I’ve been taking online lessons with a teacher in Rome, and will soon do something similar for my French. 

So what’s next? Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian are all on my list. My goal is to take them as close to C2 as I possibly can. Because let’s face it, six languages are great—but there’s always room for more.

Learning languages is like traveling without leaving home. These days, it’s practically free—all you need is an internet connection and a hefty dose of motivation. With three decades of language learning under my belt, I’m here to share five strategies that have worked for me, as well as some examples of how my languages have made me the person I am today.

How Languages Have Shaped Me: Croatian

My language is notoriously complicated. While it may not rival the mind-boggling complexity of Finnish or Hungarian, it still boasts seven grammatical cases, countless tenses, and pronunciation that could trip up even the most determined learner (just try and pronounce svjetskonogometni -meaning related to global soccer). And don’t even get me started on how nouns reinvent themselves depending on the case.

Growing up with Croatian gave me more than just fluency—it sharpened my ear, honed my linguistic logic, and taught me a life lesson I carry to this day: if something’s worth it, you’ve got to work for it.

1. Start with the Basics: Grammar Before Gadgets

Forget Duolingo.

Seriously, if you take one thing away from this article, let it be this: isolated words and quirky phrases won't take you far. Sure, you might manage to say where you’re from or “I don’t speak [insert language] well,” but let’s face it—so can ChatGPT. In fact, it can translate and pronounce anything you need. Handy, yes, but it won’t make you fluent.

Instead of learning gems like “The yellow dog is unhappy about the rain” (because, priorities?), spend some time on the basics of grammar. This is where the magic happens. By studying how a language works, you’ll naturally use essential words in context and start to get a feel for its structure. Do it in a beginner’s course or solo—it doesn’t matter as long as you’re getting the fundamentals down.

Personally, I made it a rule to reach at least lower or upper intermediate before fully immersing myself in a 24/7 language experience in the country. Trust me, it pays off when you land and realize you can say more than just “Where is the train station?”

How Languages Have Shaped Me: English

From Humpty Dumpty and a summer school in Cambridge, UK to writing my PhD thesis in English, studying at Harvard, and using English throughout my entire professional life, it’s been there in everything. Even the very creation of mucho mundo owes itself to English (despite the Spanish title). All my music and pop culture references? Straight from English.

I often feel like I can express myself more freely in English than even in Croatian. Part of the reason is its vast and varied vocabulary, which gives me the tools to communicate with unparalleled nuance. Plus, let’s be honest—thesaurus.com has been a loyal ally along the way.

2. Exposure Therapy: Netflix, YouTube, and Beyond

Back when I started learning languages, this kind of access was the stuff of dreams. If Netflix, YouTube, and podcasts had existed then, I’d have been fluent in twice as many languages by now. Once you’ve nailed the basics of grammar, it’s time to dive into the language in action—and make it enjoyable.

Streaming platforms like Netflix let you customize subtitles and the audio in your target language, so you can soak up useful phrases, cultural quirks, and how people actually talk. Spotify and Apple Podcasts are goldmines for language content, while YouTube offers an endless buffet of tutorials, real-life conversations, and vocabulary drills—all for free.

The key? Immerse yourself. Listen to how people argue, joke, and express themselves. You’re not just learning words—you’re catching rhythm, intonation, and the little phrases that textbooks miss. And the best part? You can call it "studying" while binge-watching your favorite series.

How Languages Have Shaped Me: German

As someone who was used to breezing through challenges, German was my first proper slap in the face. Getting to C2 was a Herculean effort. I vividly remember my jaw hitting the floor during a thrilling lecture titled Europäische und öffentliche betriebswirtschaftliche Rechtslehre I (European and Public Business Law I). The professor, armed with a thick Styrian accent, might as well have been speaking Turkish. I didn’t understand a thing.

It took five years in Vienna—endless university essays, exams, books, theater plays, and countless late-night conversations with friends—before I could finally say, “Okay, I’ve got this.” And then, many years later, I moved to Zurich, because apparently, I love a challenge.

German gave me more than just language skills; it taught me logic, precision, and the discipline to stick with something, even when it feels impossible.

3. Online Lessons: Your Shortcut to Fluency

If online lessons had been around when I started my polyglot adventures, I’d probably have skipped a few summer schools. But then again, what’s life without a little over-the-top commitment, right?

For you, though, online lessons are a game-changer. They save you both time and money—especially if jetting off to Argentina to master Spanish isn’t in the cards just yet. Sure, nothing beats full immersion in a country where your target language is spoken (we’ll get to that in point 5), but online lessons are a brilliant starting point.

Today, there are countless platforms and schools offering affordable options for group or one-on-one sessions. Whether you’re polishing your French or diving into Japanese, it’s an easy, flexible way to improve. I’m currently using online lessons to refresh my Italian, and let me tell you, the boost in fluency is undeniable. You can thank the internet gods for this one.

How Languages Have Shaped Me: French

French was my second slap in the face. Not the reading or understanding part—I had that down even in high school. With a good ear and a love for the melody of French, I was in my element. I’d listen to French radio shows online (this was pre-podcast glory days) feeling like that snobby meme dog with a Mozart wig. Très supérieur.

But then I moved to Vienna, where German was already sucking the life out of me, and starting to speak French took forever. I spent a summer at a language camp in Strasbourg, studied in French at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, then again in Paris during my PhD. I lived in Brussels and Geneva, passed the C2 exam, devoured libraries in French, and maybe—just maybe—I can say I speak it now.

French brings out my decadent side. It’s the language that pairs perfectly with croissants, existential crises, and daydreams of lounging in a Parisian café, doing nothing but being fabulous.

4. Read: The (Not-So-Secret) Secret to Language Mastery

I know, I know—this might sound like the most obvious advice ever, but it’s amazing how many people skip it. Some even protest, “But I don’t like to read!” Well, fine. Don’t read novels. Read anything—news articles, internet portals, recipes, memes if that’s your thing. Just read.

Back in the day, I used to scoff at digital books (yes, my inner Mozart dog made another appearance). Then I discovered Kindle, and it changed everything. Remember those enormous dictionaries we used to lug around? If you’re under 25, you probably don’t, but trust me—it was a nightmare. Something like this: you come across an unfamiliar word, flip through pages for ages, find the word, misinterpret its meaning, go back to the text, still don’t get it, and start the cycle again.

Now? We hover. Kindle translates instantly, seamlessly, painlessly. Honestly, it’s one of modern civilization’s finest achievements, right up there with wireless earbuds. So grab your e-reader or smartphone, and start scrolling, clicking, or swiping. Just read.

How Languages Have Shaped Me: Italian

At first, Italian felt like a breeze. I learned it alongside French, and since we were studying Latin in high school at the same time, I thought I had it all figured out. During university, I spent a summer in Florence, aced the C2 exam, and since Italy is practically next door to my home country, speaking Italian and traveling there quickly became second nature. I fell head over heels for Rome, Italian music, art, architecture—and, admittedly, for a few Italians too.

Things got tricky, however, when I moved to Spain. At that point, my Spanish was a patchwork of broken sentences that leaned far more Italian than Spanish. Fast forward seven years, and the tables have completely turned. Spanish has taken center stage, leaving my Italian feeling a little rusty. These days, I’m taking weekly Italian lessons and realizing just how intricate its grammar really is—definitely more complex than Spanish, that’s for sure.

5. Visit the Country if You Can

The ultimate test: immersing yourself in the land where your new language lives and breathes. If you get the chance—go. Take everything you’ve learned so far, put it to the test, and prepare for a rollercoaster of frustration, hilarity, and joy. You’ll say absurdly wrong things, blush, laugh, and learn.

Here’s a pro tip that you can steal from me: keep a running list of funny or weird phrases in your Notes app. Native speakers love adding their own gems to your collection (and to your social circle). Trust me, those moments of shared laughter over language quirks are priceless.

While you're there, dive into the culture. Watch local news, grumble about politicians, curse the bad weather—all in your new language. And when you return home, you’ll carry a piece of that place with you, woven into your words and memories.

How Languages Have Shaped Me: Spanish

Although Spanish is the language I started learning the latest among those I speak fluently, it’s the one I’ve truly lived the most. I’ve built deep connections in Spanish—it’s the language of most of my close friends, my partner, and countless experiences across diverse settings, from IT and interior design to buying an apartment and bachata. I navigated the pandemic in a Spanish-speaking environment, traveled through nearly every corner of Spain, and became a devoted fan of its cinematography, literature, and, of course, its music (you can read my declaration of love to Spain here).

Interestingly, I began my Spanish journey at university with an Argentinian teacher, followed by a summer school in Buenos Aires. This meant I started with Argentinian Spanish—until my Spanish friends “corrected” what they jokingly referred to as an anomaly. Now, I speak proper Castellano, sprinkled with a few Valencian words (au being one of my personal favorites).

Learning a language isn’t just about mastering grammar or memorizing vocabulary—it’s about opening doors to new worlds, new people, and new ways of thinking. It’s about being okay with making mistakes and embracing the chaos of something new. Whether you start with an online lesson, binge-watch foreign Netflix shows, or nervously order coffee in a tiny café halfway across the globe, remember this: every word, every stumble, and every aha moment is part of the journey. So dive in and have fun. Who knows?  Maybe one day, over coffee with a friend or on a date with someone intriguing, you’ll feel like you belong somewhere that, not long ago, was a complete unknown. And that feeling, my friends?

That’s the actual magic. That’s goosebumps right there.

P.S. Wondering about the Mozart dog? You’re welcome.

Which languages do you speak, and which one is your favorite? Share your comments below!

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