As a Spanish major, I am enthralled by languages. Learning a new word for something is the best feeling. Speaking in a tongue that is not mine is new and exciting, and it has made my life so much more interesting than I ever thought it could be. You know that word for the conversation you have after a meal? Sobremesa. (Now you know a new word!). I constantly hear my peers complaining about how much they can’t stand their foreign language classes. “Why am I even doing this? I could be doing something else with my time. This is so boring.” Sometimes it seems that the work that needs to be put into learning a foreign language overshadows the true benefits of it. Once you put in the effort, however, you will see how truly awesome it is to be bilingual. ¡Es lo mejor!

1. It’s super fun?

Duh! Learning a new language can be fun; I mean you can listen to music in another language now. That’s pretty cool!

2. You can talk to millions of new people.

If you learn Spanish, odds are you will hear it somewhere, and you can use it. It opens doors, people!

3. You will be super helpful.

You never know when you’ll hear someone struggling to communicate with someone. Being bilingual isn’t beneficial just to you; you can be a translator!

4. Job opportunities galore!

Fluent in another language? That might be the deciding factor on whether you are hired for a job. Globalization means that more and more people are coming into contact with each other. This means that being bilingual is really helpful in the workplace!

5. Studies show that it’s good for you.

Seriously! Recent studies have shown that language learning can help keep your brain sharp and can even prevent early onset of dementia. Why not give it a shot?

6. You can travel to new countries!

Well, you can do that without a language, but think of how much easier it will be if you can communicate with the locals!

7. Think of how much you’ll learn about different cultures!

Learning a language can help you to learn a lot about a different culture. If you are able to communicate with a native speaker, then you’ll be able to learn so much more from their perspective.

8. You’ll be able to sound cool when you order in a restaurant.

Maybe you won’t be met with an eye roll if you can actually pronounce foreign foods correctly. Plus, your friends will think it’s awesome because, well, it is.

9. You’ll make new friends.

One of the best parts about learning a foreign language is practicing it. That means you’ll probably have to practice with a native speaker, which means new friends!