Tandem tales

There is no limit to learning languages. Originally from the Philippines, Giancarlo has traveled to the other side of the world and back again to meet his Tandem friends. Now calling Messina, Italy home, Giancarlo speaks three languages fluently—Italian, English and Filipino—and is learning, wait for it, five languages—Korean, French, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish! Here is Giancarlo’s multilingual and multicultural Tandem Tale.

**With millions of members, Tandem is the largest global language learning community out there! With our Tandem app, you can connect with native speakers all over the world and practice languages via text, audio message, and video call. [Download Tandem today](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) - it’s free!**

Giancarlo has been using Tandem since April 2017 to make new connections and to practice his FIVE languages with native speakers. He learned Filipino and Tagalog in the Philippines and learned Italian after himself and his family moved to Italy eleven years ago. “I learned Spanish and French during high school (I majored in foreign languages in Italy). I studied Korean by myself and learned some useful sentences from my friends. I am learning Chinese and Japanese from anime and dramas, so I don't speak it as fluently as Korean.”

![korea shopping buildings](//images.ctfassets.net/2j65dwz7bf88/7dlnnEGbUTKG2hR9b87h1e/83160622124d6c476e10a758f0b2420b/korea_shopping_buildings.jpg)

Giancarlo met up with his first Tandem friend in Torino, Northern Italy in June 2018, but his most special trip was to South Korea in June earlier this year. Giancarlo had been speaking with Junho and Eunji for over a year on Tandem. He introduced his two tandem partners to each other over lunch and was also introduced to Junho’s friend who also uses Tandem—like one big Tandem family! The four of them ate lunch together at a chicken resto-bar in Hongdae, hung out for a little while and then separated ways. One funny memory Giancarlo recounts of Korea was when his two friends were walking so fast that he and Eunji had to catch up every time! They managed to lose them and found themselves lost in the middle of Hongdae. oops!

Giancarlo’s next Tandem adventure took him to Singapore a month later, to meet up with his Chinese friend. Giancarlo seems to get lost quite easily because even in Singapore his Tandem friend picked him up at the MRT station—to avoid round two of what happened in Korea! They shared lots of fun stories and experiences over lunch in Chinatown, followed by spending the day shopping and exploring new places around the city. Giancarlo tried all the local Singaporean dishes and his friend even queued for 30 minutes to get him to taste this famous chicken rice from a Michelin star restaurant! 

![tandem tales giancarlo](//images.ctfassets.net/2j65dwz7bf88/7JPryMKSpOPGoBzjHycyTC/0908d893ec4a851d0536a1f7daa7bdba/tandem_tales_giancarlo.png)

One of Giancarlo’s top tips for having a great experience with a Tandem partner is to share. “Share as much as possible—pictures, videos and parts of your everyday life. Share some interesting stories too. Communication is the key to having a long friendship with friends online." Giancarlo finds it important to be able to laugh and make jokes with your Tandem partner. "It shows that you are comfortable communicating with each other and can talk about anything." Giancarlo’s final tip for a successful language exchange is to be friendly, patient, and understanding of your Tandem partner’s level of your language.

Giancarlo is still very close to his Tandem friends, with most being from when he first joined Tandem! He is already planning on returning to Korea and Singapore, which he hopes to organize in the next video call with his Tandem friends!

**Inspired by Giancarlo’s Tandem Tale? [Download](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) the Tandem app today and make some new Tandem friends!**

##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

Speaking three languages fluently and learning five, there is no limit to learning languages! Here is Giancarlo’s Tandem Tale.

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Tandem Tales: No Limits to Learning Languages

“I never expected that my cultural competency and awareness would increase by many orders of magnitude and that I would meet really, really incredible people, some of whom would become important and valued friends.” This Tandem Tale is a very special one because Sara did not only meet one language exchange partner but five!

__The [Tandem app](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) is not only for those on a language learning journey but also for those brave nomads and travelers out there. Speak the language of the locals and meet new people in the country you are traveling to. Download the Tandem app now to connect with people all across the world!__

![flavia-carpio-770955-unsplash copy](//images.ctfassets.net/2j65dwz7bf88/jkTghK9pPkymzBMmWZI63/72e31b51077c110cfb8329613ad321e8/flavia-carpio-770955-unsplash_copy.jpg)

Originally from Cleveland USA, Sara has called San Diego USA home for the past ten years. As a native English speaker, Sara wanted to explore the Spanish language and culture but felt completely unprepared to have a real conversation with others by using traditional methods of learning a language. “The only way to learn to converse in a language was to actually [talk](https://www.tandem.net/learn-language-fast-speaking) to other people… that’s where Tandem came in.”

Sara’s journey began when she planned her first international trip outside of the United States to...Colombia! Sara wanted to meet up with her Tandem partners and see for herself all the places, [foods](https://www.tandem.net/commonly-mispronounced-foreign-foods), and traditions her friends had shared with her in their conversations. 

The first leg of her journey was to Bogotá, Colombia to visit her friends Floriberto, Arbey and Omar. Sara and Floriberto had been talking on Tandem for about five months and met up twice during her stay in Colombia. Floriberto took Sara to try the most authentic Colombian cuisine in the city, wandered the city together and he also introduced Sara to some of his friends.

Sara then met up with Arbey and his family who she had been in contact with for four months on Tandem. “Their enthusiasm for sharing with me their city and their culture was so palpable and made every sight that much more exciting.” The following day, Sara climbed to the top of Monserrate with Omar where he introduced Sara to his friends and former coworkers. “It was a long climb, but so worth it for the incredible views of Bogotá and the opportunity to meet so many incredible people.” 

![tandem-tales sara copy](//images.ctfassets.net/2j65dwz7bf88/6CA3Wxq1mDElar6WL5sBe4/e3e43503211726cd60868dfbcd7cf7eb/tandem-tales_sara_copy.png)

After Sara’s adventure to Bogotá, it was on to the next leg of her journey, which was to the city of Medellín. There she met her Tandem friend Javier. “Javier and I began talking on my very first day on Tandem, in fact, he was one of the first people to message me right after I joined, and we have talked almost every single day since that first day.” Herself and Javier explored Medellín; ”we climbed El Piedra del Peñol together and took a boat ride accompanied by traditional music on the lakes nearby, and then visited the town of Guatape to see the beautiful Zócalos on all the houses.” Sara met Javier’s family and they even had an impromptu bilingual karaoke session together!

Sara’s next adventure took her to Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Santa Marta, to visit her friend Reny, one of Sara’s newer language exchange partners. They explored the city and beaches together and since Santa Marta marked the halfway point of her trip, Sara enjoyed some well-needed relaxation on the beach, before heading back to Medellín.

![Guatape copy](//images.ctfassets.net/2j65dwz7bf88/2XokJRNmnhcqM8i5YclvjQ/1590e41ee91c0ed7822a3e52c1e83acf/Guatape_copy.jpg)

Back in Medellín, Sara met up with yet another Tandem friend, Diego. “We spent the day at Parque Arví, hiking, visiting archaeological sites, having lunch, and riding the metro cable.” The next day Sara met up with Javier again and went on a coffee tour outside of Medellín. “We spent a day at a *Finca* (a farm) in the mountains, learning how coffee is grown, cultivated, harvested, and transformed from fruit to the bean we’re all familiar with. We also had a coffee tasting and lunch and took a tour on horseback of the area.” After the tour of the *Finca*, they traveled back into the city and spent some more time with Javier’s family. “I will never forget the generosity and hospitality of Javier and his family, in opening their home and their lives to me.” 

After a quick flight, Sara was back where she started her adventure — Bogotá. This time Sara did a bit of sightseeing on her own, visited a few museums and wandered through Bogotá’s historical district, La Candelaria. She then met up with another Tandem partner Cesar, had lunch together and saw some new sights including Torre Colpatria and Parque Nacional Enrique Olaya Herrera. The last day of her trip was spent with Floriberto and his friend, Alejandro. “We shared a meal and some good coffee together, and wandered through the city, talking and practicing our English and Spanish together. They also helped me to find souvenirs to take back to my friends in San Diego.” Soon it was time to return to Bogotá airport and begin her journey back to the States.

![View from Piedra del Penol (1)](//images.ctfassets.net/2j65dwz7bf88/6oNoDCtwPhQ6g3SBVgsTLv/3c17693974a2d1aa13c919c1eb209e36/View_from_Piedra_del_Penol__1_.JPG)

“Learning a new language can open doors to new experiences and bring incredible new people into your life.” Sara has learned that learning a language is never a linear process; “I have weeks where I feel like I am making lots of progress and weeks where I feel like I’m actually regressing instead of progressing. But those weeks always pass, and then I continue to make progress.”  

Sara’s [tips](https://www.tandem.net/etiquette-tandem-language-exchange-partner) on having a great experience with a Tandem partner is to always keep an open mind, to always ask questions and to give them the benefit of the doubt. “Sometimes the things we say, when we are learning a language can get ‘lost in translation’ so to speak. We often don’t realize the connotations or even emotions that are tied up into the words we speak. I would have missed out on making incredible friends if I had jumped to conclusions early on and not asked for clarification.”

“My time in Colombia was the best two weeks of my life [...] and, truly, what made it was the opportunity to meet all of my friends and to experience their country and their cities with them. Everything that we shared together was twice as wonderful for that reason — because we shared it together.”

__Inspired by Sara’s Tandem Tale? [Download](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) the Tandem app today and make some new Tandem friends!__


##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...


Sara's first international trip to Colombia not only improved her Spanish but she also made five incredible Tandem friends!

Tandem Tales

Tandem Tales: Five Tandem Friends

Every Tandem Tale is different. So far, we’ve had meetups in different cities, art exhibitions, various day trips, but this Tandem Tale from Irina in Russia is a first. Her language exchange on Tandem took her to Italy to stay with an Italian grandmother! Here’s the full story...

__The [Tandem app](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) is not only for those on a language learning journey but also for those brave nomads and travelers out there. Speak the language of the locals and meet new people in the country you are traveling to. Download the Tandem app now to connect with people all across the world!__

![Positano2.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/64TbM6LgAPVx5E1jXn2cnR/4bfeb45d846b3c165cd4aa34297b7a36/Positano2.jpg)

Irina joined the Tandem community to practice Italian with [native speakers](https://www.tandem.net/native-speakers-for-language-exchange) and with the hope that she’d be able to fulfill her dream and to travel to Italy. “One day, I just fell in love with Italy. I dreamt about visiting this bright and sunny country 🇮🇹” Irina says. “I didn’t want to be in Italy as a tourist, but as a real local Italian, soaking up all the Italian culture!”
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Sometimes, when we have a burning desire to do something, the universe surprises us and helps us achieve our goals. A year and a half ago, Irina connected with two Italians on Tandem. The two guys were both learning [Russian](https://www.tandem.net/russian-stereotypes-fact-fiction) and in exchange, they helped Irina practice her Italian. Gradually, their language exchange turned into a true friendship. “There came a point when we weren’t just helping each other with language learning, but sharing stories and visions, too. It’s so great to see that our language skills are improving and we’re so happy for each other!”
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![Positano1.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/3XPxIcaoNLaDioAQQdXGSo/58a86612f2469c4c2c71491c5ab6ea9c/Positano1.jpg)
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Irina’s new friends knew that she wanted to experience life as a real Italian. One of her Tandem partners kindly invited her to stay with his grandmother. This meant she’d be able to learn about a typical Italian way of life, share thoughts on many different topics in the language and experience living with an Italian woman. What better way to dive into the Italian culture!
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With the help of language exchange, the Tandem app and real friendships, Irina’s dream came true. “My dream lived out, 🙌🏻” she says. “My Italian friends took care of me and ensured I was happy and comfortable during my stay. Thanks to them, I was able to explore Italy bit by bit. You see a very different side of the country when you’re shown around by locals.”
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![tandem-tales_irina-Paschal.png](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/7cKeRi1c9Hj1Sv2pga4Uvf/43e7deb360914bf5cd02c3e5bad7c187/tandem-tales_irina-Paschal.png)
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As Irina visited Italy with her daughters, the Italian grandmother now has a Russian "granddaughter" and 2 Russian "great-granddaughters”! Irina’s Italian Tandem partners are really making progress with their Russian skills and hope they can visit her in Russia soon.

__Inspired by Irina’s Tandem Tale? [Download](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) the Tandem app today and make some new Tandem friends!__


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##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

Irina always wanted to travel to Italy to practice her Italian. Thankfully she discovered the Tandem app and was able to fulfill her dream!

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Tandem Tales: Reach Your Dreams Through Language Exchange

With a distance of almost 10,000km between them, Josh and Furkan didn’t expect they’d ever be able to meet in person. That was until they realized they’d both be in Germany this year. Here’s their story!

__The Tandem app isn’t just about language exchange, it’s also about cultural exchange and fostering meaningful conversations with people from all over the world. Break down barriers and celebrate diversity by downloading our [Tandem app](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) now!__

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![Tandem Tales Hamburg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5PzrGmf2lpOOfzYrXk1Gzu/764d4da7bea2c13f7509a36008621aa3/yan-ots-641759-unsplash-2.jpg)
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Josh is from Kansas in the United States. His Tandem journey began a little over a year ago following a recommendation from his German professor. He loved the idea that finding a pen pal, with whom he could chat to regularly, could improve his language skills. Furkan, who lives in Istanbul in Turkey, came across Tandem when searching for an app that allowed him to both learn a new language and connect with people from all over the world.
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Almost one year ago, Furkan messaged Josh on Tandem and their language exchange began. They send messages in both English and [German](https://www.tandem.net/funny-german-words-phrases) and enjoy learning about each other’s culture. Over time they became friends and when it transpired that they’d be living less than 100km away from each other in Germany, they decided to meet in person.
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In early June, Furkan traveled from Bremen, where he was doing an [internship](https://www.tandem.net/find-internship-abroad), to meet Josh in Hamburg. Josh was taking part in a study exchange program there and he invited Furkan to an event his university was hosting. They hung out with Josh’s friends at the event and then went on to explore the city. Their city tour took them to the Elbphilharmonie, a concert hall surrounded by the River Elbe. Due to its stunning architecture and a public viewing platform that allows for spectacular views across the city, the Elbphilharmonie has attracted millions of visitors since its opening in January 2017. As neither Josh nor Furkan had ever visited this attraction, it was great to experience this for the first time together.
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![tandem-tales_josh-furkan.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/4cDKN7zCOa783KYhIyvSTl/ebd71dae97d47641922b10a8b193a602/tandem-tales_josh-furkan.jpg)
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Furkan really appreciated Josh taking the time to guide him around, “he is so kind, he showed me around Hamburg and taught me a lot about the city.” Although it was great to visit the Elbphilharmonie together, Josh admits “the best part of the meet up was getting to meet someone face-to-face that, to me, only existed digitally before.” Asked if they’d ever meet up again, Furkan says “yeah if we have a chance [...] I hope I could get to the US one day. Who knows?” Josh also plans to return to Europe at some point and would love to visit Furkan in Istanbul. For now, at least, Josh and Furkan are still very much in contact and are continuing on with their language journey. That’s what we like to hear!
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So what’s the key to having a successful tandem? In this case, Josh and Furkan always managed to keep their language exchange going. “Even when one of us became busy, we seemed to be able to pick back up from where we were. Part of it was probably due to both of our interests in each other's cultures and lives,” explains Josh. He continues, “I think the most important tip is to be open-minded and eager to learn about other cultures, even beyond the languages you are wanting to learn.” Furkan believes that [practicing with native speakers](https://www.tandem.net/native-speakers-for-language-exchange) is essential to improving speaking and writing skills. He finds that natives are often surprised by his language skills. “Sometimes I'm talking to a German native in German and they don't believe that I'm just B1.1 level. Just try!” 

Thank you Josh and Furkan for sharing your story with us!
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##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

Josh and Furkan connected on Tandem a year ago. Here's the story of how their language exchange brought them together in Hamburg.

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Tandem Tales: Going the Distance

Tandem is all about bringing together language learners from different cultures. We love hearing from members who began their language journey on the Tandem app and managed to meet their language partner in person. Earlier this year, Joaquin traveled from his home country of Mexico and visited Ksenia in Russia. Here’s their Tandem Tale...

__The Tandem app isn’t just about language exchange, it’s also about cultural exchange and fostering meaningful conversations with people from all over the world. Break down barriers and celebrate diversity by [downloading](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) our Tandem app now!__

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![moscow1.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5RUUVwsStGV7UX1jXTvkxH/f1fd913d09eec7ad210b63c86c331da3/moscow1.jpg)
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Last winter, Ksenia decided she wanted to improve her English. Offline courses and moving abroad to learn a language weren’t suitable options for her, so she started looking for alternatives. She came across [Tandem](https://www.tandem.net/top-tandem-tips-community/) and it quickly became a big part of her language learning routine.
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Joaquin was also searching for a Tandem partner to practice his English with and paired up with Ksenia on the app. As it turns out, they both have a lot in common! Joaquin is interested in Russian culture, Russian mythology and Russian history, so being able to chat with Ksenia about her own culture was perfect. Joaquin could work on his Russian skills with Ksenia too. Ksenia and Joaquin continued their language exchange on Tandem for the months that followed.
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In June, Joaquin was planning to visit his girlfriend in [Russia](https://www.tandem.net/russian-stereotypes-fact-fiction) and thought it would be a great opportunity to meet Ksenia in person. He booked his flights to Moscow and messaged Ksenia to arrange to meet up! When the day finally arrived, Ksenia and her boyfriend Anton met with Joaquin and his girlfriend Catherine. 
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![Хоаким прилетел в гости к Ксении в Россию из Мексики](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5unJmBGvlljJNfuuQcBz01/8c9bba5de593d79c300030d4e8d3bcf9/tandem-tales_ksenia-joaquin.png)
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Ksenia did not know what to expect from the meeting, “honestly, I was very worried before because I had no idea how Joaquin would be in real life. I didn’t know if he would enjoy our company or if we’d have things to talk about. But everything worked out perfectly! We talked with each other for hours and all wandered around Moscow together.”
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Moscow definitely made a lasting impression on Joaquin, but he admits it would be difficult to live there without a good grasp of the Russian language. Ksenia is sure they’ll meet each other again, whether it be in Russia, Mexico or somewhere else in the world. “I’m really happy I downloaded Tandem,” Ksenia says. “And thank you, my friend, for coming from the other side of the world to visit my country! 🇲🇽🇷🇺 Muchas gracias por venir, jezbrako! ¡Nos vemos!"
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![moscow2-1.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5jXvQPQPBTX03rd2pCtCYO/2f726f052237aaf86b8644d5e9661adf/moscow2-1.jpg)
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__We wish Ksenia and Joaquin all the best in their Tandem language journey! Are you looking to develop your language skills with a language exchange partner? Look no further - Tandem is the app for you! Download [here](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) — it's free ;)__

Tandem is all about bringing together language learners from different cultures. Here's an insight into Ksenia and Joaquin's language journey.

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Tandem Tales: A Language Journey from Mexico to Russia

On Tandem, we help each other with languages and share knowledge about each other’s culture no matter where you are in the world. For Samija from Bosnia & Herzegovina and Jenny from Germany, their language exchange led them to meet in person. For the first time, Samija was able to [experience German culture](https://www.tandem.net/how-to-enjoy-summer-berlin/) in real life - and had some unforgettable experiences along the way. Here’s their story!

__The Tandem app isn’t just about language exchange, it’s also about cultural exchange and fostering meaningful conversations with people from all over the world. Break down barriers and celebrate diversity by [downloading](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) our Tandem app now!__


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![rsz tandem-tales-samijaxjenny](//images.ctfassets.net/2j65dwz7bf88/7fSzcC9g6lqz7sobZRXljE/a202c9d6f612b379efee6b03fd0650f8/rsz_tandem-tales-samijaxjenny.png)
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Samija learned English and German in school, and downloaded Tandem a few years ago to improve her skills in both languages. She met Jenny, a native of Stuttgart, Germany, whose mother came from Croatia. Because of this, Jenny wanted to learn Croatian, Serbian or Bosnian.

Soon Samija and Jenny were chatting regularly over Tandem. At first, they taught one another the basics in each other’s language, and really benefited from the mutual help they gave each other. Soon enough they were really good friends, and [talked regularly](https://www.tandem.net/conversation-starters-language-learners/) about school, problems and daily life.

Yet Germany still seemed like a far-away place to Samija. “If someone had told me then that I would eventually fly to Germany to meet Jenny, I would probably not have believed it!” Samija explains.

But in January 2018, the dream became reality. Samija arranged to fly over to Germany and meet Jenny in person, and experience Stuttgart just like a local!

Both were a bit nervous before Samija’s arrival. Samija says: “When we met in person, I was a bit shy to [speak German](http://www.tandem.net/learn-german-online) because I know that mine isn't the best. But Jenny encouraged me and told me to speak anyway. Later, it became much easier, and somehow it took me less time to build a sentence in German… like magic!’

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![Languges excuses debunked](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5nWQ14HiWSOkNrO1Lc2oFB/8450873e9c1ea9d8c903970acf62d401/Webp.net-resizeimage.jpg)
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During the trip, Samija was able to experience many sides of Stuttgart. She enjoyed beautiful views and scenery, tasty German food, and hung out with Jenny’s friends. She explains: “I learned many facts about the city and the country, I learned new words in German and improved my skills, and many other things. But more importantly, I learned that the world is a small place. Now that we have the chance to travel anywhere in the entire world, I think we should use every opportunity to do it!” Samija noticed quite a few cultural differences between Germany and Bosnia. “Germans are very hard-working”, she says, “while in Bosnia people are much more relaxed, particularly when it comes to work”. 

For Samija, Stuttgart will always have a special place in her heart, as it is the first place she has ever traveled to completely by herself. As for her favourite moment of the trip, Samija remembers one special day particularly fondly. “Jenny told me one day that we will go to find a nice view. To be honest, I didn’t expect much. But when we got there, climbed up the hill and the amazing view opened up in front of us, I changed my mind. We sat there on a bench and it was an amazing feeling. On top of the world; looking at the valley and city around us; the clouds and sunshine. I wanted to stay there forever.” 

Following her trip, Samija is even more keen to broaden her horizons with language learning. “When you live in a country as small as Bosnia & Herzegovina is, and when you speak only your mother tongue, you are able to communicate with only a few million people at most. But when you speak a language like English, you can speak to the entire world. Isn't that cool? Learning any other language opens a whole sphere of new people to speak with, new places to visit or new cultures to meet.” 

She would love to be able to invite Jenny to Bosnia someday, “to show Jenny Sarajevo and other places that I find interesting and give her back a piece of what she gave me when I was there”, says Samija. We wish Samija and Jenny all the best and lots of fun in their language adventures!
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__Inspired by Samija and Jenny's story? Find a new friend for language on Tandem by [downloading](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) the Tandem app today!__


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For Samija from Bosnia & Herzegovina and Jenny from Germany, their language exchange on Tandem took them to places they never would have imagined!

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Tandem Tales: On Top of the World

On Tandem, we encourage you to find a partner who shares your interests. KiKi from Japan and Julie from Germany bonded over their mutual love of art - and now they have their own exhibition together in Berlin! Here’s their story.

__Tandem is not only for those on a language learning journey but also for those brave nomads and travelers out there. Speak the language of the locals and meet new people in the country you are traveling to. [Download](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) the Tandem app now to connect with people all across the world!__

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![art artists language exchange](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/4WCrdGACd99wzgscea0Qbv/2ffd4dc4061efdecb01382506bbe5060/feb-16_kiki-julie.png)
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Julie grew up in a small town near Dortmund, Germany, and started watching anime as a very young child. She realised that if she learnt some Japanese, she would have a better understanding of what was going on in the cartoons. Her studies took her on a trip to Japan, which she loved, but when she returned to Germany she didn’t have anyone to practice Japanese with.  Meanwhile, KiKi was growing up in Izu, a small but beautiful village in Japan, and was always dreaming of traveling and seeing the "world outside". She visited many places in Japan before deciding to take her travel to the next level and venture overseas. 

It quickly became clear to her how important it was to learn languages. KiKi explains, “During my first trip abroad, to Paris, many local people helped me. But I could only say “Thank you” to them, despite having so many things I wanted to tell them.” From then on, she felt a strong need to learn languages. She studied English in the USA, then had the opportunity to travel to Berlin, Germany for a new adventure. KiKi explains: “In Berlin, lots of people speak English but I wanted to learn more about German people and culture through their language. That’s why I chose to focus on [learning German](https://www.tandem.net/11-beautiful-german-words/).”  

KiKi decided to look for a language partner to help her learn German who had similar interests to her, and found Julie. As they both loved art, it was instantly a good match. Julie says, “I looked for a Tandem partner to freshen up my language skills. It’s a great way of making new friends as well! I love meeting new people and hearing their stories, and Tandem is a perfect way to do this.”
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![julie henning illustration](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5BvFBoX1VwAux4YZTPELJB/6ff9b814debb976f84a68a705393ed46/8FD11C46-DDD6-4E45-A99F-61B986BCFE67.jpg)
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The first conversation was a bit [nerve-wracking](https://www.tandem.net/conversation-starters-language-learners/), as they both were nervous that their language skills wouldn’t be good enough. They were also both a little in awe of each others’ artwork. “I had seen KiKi’s illustrations and thought they were beautiful,” explains Julie. “I was curious to meet the person behind them, but also a bit nervous!” They overcame their nerves by deciding to use their artistic skills to help each other from day one. They introduced themselves using a notebook to write down words they didn’t understand and drawing pictures to help with understanding. By doing activities together, they were both active participants in the conversation and found it easier to retain new phrases and vocabulary. Soon they were chatting often, and even meeting up face-to-face in Berlin to discuss their art projects. Germany and Japan are two very different countries, but when Julie and KiKi became Tandem partners, their artistic talents helped them see each others’ countries in a new light.
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![art language exchange](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/4GltiZdD6bVydjHkVtbcqX/0829c18615c14ac92e8cda294a35c536/feb-16_Kiki-3-1.png)
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Reflecting on the cultural differences between Germany and Japan, Julie explains attitudes towards learning in the two countries. “It’s the way of learning things, such as a craft, that I find admirable in Japanese culture” Julie says. “It’s a very mindful way of learning how to do something, as it takes very small steps and lets you see all the small things that make a piece of art, for example. As I sometimes tend to rush things I do a little, I think that’s something I can learn.” KiKi, on the other hand, finds German bluntness endearing. “I already had some ideas about people in Germany not being afraid to speak their mind,” she says. “It’s so true! People love to discuss and share their ideas. It’s something I really love about Germans.”  

They also found that their exchange helped them to deconstruct stereotypes. “I’m sure there still are some stereotypes in my head,” Julie explains. “One thing I learned through KiKi and my other experiences living abroad though is that every person is unique. The boxes we have in our minds often don’t quite resemble the truth for each individual.” KiKi agrees. “I think making wonderful friends in Germany and other places and meeting my Tandem partner is the best thing about learning languages! I also learned a lot of things from them. Having real communication through the language gives us a lot of new discovery and truth - more than you can get from information in books or on the internet.”
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![1E300E82-B96B-4DB5-BC79-DB7BCC5B58EC](//images.ctfassets.net/2j65dwz7bf88/15o1xfVHytNaxV8Z6H2LCN/5ff56562b7bbf2c396b6714adf8344d1/1E300E82-B96B-4DB5-BC79-DB7BCC5B58EC.jpg)
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For Julie and KiKi, the [language exchange](https://www.tandem.net/new-ideas-tandem-language-exchange/) turned into a real friendship, and not only that, but a creative partnership. They decided to exhibit their artwork together in Berlin, inspired by their Tandem experiences.  The exhibition, _Gedanken†が、いそがしい!!_, is all about how cultural exchange experiences can be developed through both verbal and non-verbal communications. Together, Julie and KiKi came up with themes - such as seasons, foods or traditions in their home countries - and drew pictures based on their experiences of these things.  

One way in which they expressed their differences was with the different colored pens they used for the illustrations. They explain: “We used color pens to show how growing up in one place then visiting another place helps you to see things differently. We found many similarities between our two cultures, as well as differences!” And what next for Julie and KiKi? KiKi says she will visit more places in Germany to find more inspiration for her art. She hopes to have a solo exhibition based on her travels. Julie will continue to let her travels inspire her photography and poetry. Thank you Julie and KiKi for sharing your amazing story with us!

Julie and KiKi’s exhibition took place at Hiroshima Mon Amour in Berlin Kreuzberg, 19th-28th January 2018. You can check out KiKi’s ([@kikiiiiiiy](https://www.instagram.com/kikiiiiiiy/))  and Julie’s ([@julienoukiyo](https://www.instagram.com/julienoukiyo/)) drawings, as well as their photographer Karin Shikata ([@karinkamera](https://www.instagram.com/karinkamera/?hl=ja)), and Hiroshima Mon Amour ([@hiroshima_mon_amour_berlin](https://www.instagram.com/hiroshima_mon_amour_berlin/?hl=en)) on their Instagram pages. 

![berlin illustrator art](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/1ERDEs5rQu8FHIPOsSzhD8/cf14d950dc0bdab94348e3bad062db83/10-.jpg)

__Inspired by KiKi and Julie's Tandem story? [Download](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) the app today and find your perfect language partner!__

Art formed the bond between German and Japanese Tandem partners Julie and KiKi, creating a lasting friendship and an amazing art exhibition!

/tandem-tales-language-exchange-art/

Tandem Tales: From Language Exchange to Art Exhibition

If there's one piece of language learning advice to remember, it is to never pass up an opportunity to practice your skills - especially when you least expect to use them! You never know… it could end up getting you a bargain. Ndiya, a member of Tandem from Texas, USA, experienced this firsthand when she put her Spanish skills to the test. Here's her story!

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__Speaking is the fastest way to fluency. But getting the chance to speak a language is a challenge when you’re not living in the country. What if there was a way to befriend a native speaker and practice any time, any place, totally for free? Enter the [Tandem app](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d), where you can speak any language, anywhere.__
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![tandem-tales-ndiya.png](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/7s7iCCNxjL4eV5NwJsznDh/d9d1b05f0200a7180bdf179c3b7937d5/tandem-tales-ndiya.png)
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Growing up in the USA, it can be easy to have the mindset that everyone speaks English. But for Ndiya, sticking to monolingualism was never an option. She explains, "Part of the American identity is that 'all men are created equal', regardless of their race, culture, heritage, or background. If someone is monolingual, that person can only talk to those who speak that language. However, if I make effort to learn the language of another person, I can communicate with that person in a manner that is so much more meaningful and deeper than just speaking in the language that they know." "Like Nelson Mandela said - 'If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart!'"
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![Nelson_Mandela_2000_5.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5jz2iHKjczvklkNB0SRfzV/5ec56a91ba27b4001b0125fe6865545e/Nelson_Mandela_2000_5.jpg)

_Nelson Mandela_


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Inspired by her linguist father and the bilingual latino students at school, Ndiya currently [learns Spanish](https://www.tandem.net/learn-spanish-online), French, and Igbo (her parents’ native language).  She’d been practicing her Spanish for a few months on Tandem when she found an opportunity to speak in a totally new context. She was shopping for new shoes for her high school graduation at her local mall. Keen to find a reasonably priced pair, she asked the advice of an assistant in the shoe store, and began a conversation with her. 

Having talked for a few minutes, Nydia suddenly realised the assistant had a slight accent. Ndiya asked where she was from - the assistant and her manager replied that they were both from Mexico. Grasping the opportunity, Ndiya immediately switched to Spanish, saying, "Wow, que bien! Yo noté su acento, por eso te pregunté. Es que, estoy tratando de mejorar mi español…” (Wow, that's awesome! I noticed your accent, and that's why I asked you. It's just that I’m trying to improve my Spanish...). The assistant and manager were so surprised! 

They then went on to have a great conversation with Ndiya about the university she was going, what she was going to study, and their families. Ndiya was thrilled to be using her language skills in such an unexpected place. As Ndiya finally went to the counter to pay for the $35 shoes she had set her heart on, the manager walked over to her. “I’m giving you a discount” she said, “to say well done - for your graduation but also for not only taking the initiative to learn languages, but for actually going ahead and communicating confidently with people!” Ndiya couldn’t believe it when she looked at the final price.... $13! The shoes were more than half price - just because she’d had the guts to speak in Spanish!

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![Screen-Shot-2017-10-06-at-11.50.39.png](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5XSLt61wlYEsslZlKRMb1B/8d3f3a45a32c4cae7bd89812a281e723/Screen-Shot-2017-10-06-at-11.50.39.png)

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Ndiya says: “When my non-Spanish speaking friends see me having fluent and easy conversations with everyone from the lunch ladies to teachers, they can’t believe it. I always tell them that they need to take what they’ve learned from class and apply it to the real world. "If I have a language partner (like those that I'm matched up with on Tandem), I'll be able to help someone with their English, as well as speak to someone who is native in the language I'm trying to learn. 
Having a language accountability partner and friend is better than sitting in a language class and drilling through verbs, vocab and grammar. I already have so many friends and partners in Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, France, Belgium, and other places, just because I took the initiative to step out of my comfort zone and learn a language." 

And what’s next for Ndiya? She aspires to be a polyglot, much like her father, and she’s well on the way to achieving that goal. She says, "I want to know that I can be able to [travel to China](https://www.tandem.net/tandem-tips-learning-chinese-language-exchange/) one day and still get around by myself because the language barrier doesn't exist anymore. Or so I can tell when someone is talking about me behind my back 😉!" In the meantime, she hopes to be able to meet some of her Tandem partners face-to-face. 

Ndiya, you are a super star! We can all reach our language goals with drive, determination and the help and support of a [Tandem partner](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d). It’s a fantastic thing to learn languages and enjoy every bit of the process mastering it by making tons of friends all over the world.
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##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

Read all about how Tandem member Ndiya was able to use her Spanish language skills to get a massive bargain while out shopping!

/tandem-tales-spanish-saves-money/

Tandem Tales: Speak Spanish, Save Some Dollars!

It is quite common in China to take on a English name when practicing foreign languages — less common to choose a Spanish one! Growing up, a lot of Yi-Ming’s friends were keen to [improve their English skills](https://www.tandem.net/learn-english-online/) and quickly chose English language names. But Yi-Ming had a different dream from his friends, and chose “Caravaca” as his Western name. Because Caravaca dreamt of Spanish culture. While his friends imagined visiting London or New York, Caravaca saw himself in Madrid, Mexico City, or Bogota. While his friends got excited about American basketball teams, Caravaca only had time for FC Barcelona, his number one favourite football team. However, Barcelona is a long way from Shanghai. 

__The [Tandem app](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) is not only for those on a language learning journey but also for those brave nomads and travelers out there. Speak the language of the locals and meet new people in the country you are traveling to. Download the Tandem app now to connect with people all across the world!__

![caravaca tandem partner](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/170XxUnGKmyDFKly6vRw2N/5c05dab741e3908566b2b3004ae30e1d/Caravaca2.jpg)

Caravaca desperately wanted to [improve his Spanish](https://www.tandem.net/learn-spanish-online/), but his job at a domestic travel agency didn’t offer much of an opportunity to go abroad and practice. He had only had one international conversation - with a Dutch traveller he sat next to on a train. It only made him realise he had to find a way of speaking to people from other parts of the world. 

One day, while surfing the web on a Chinese forum, he found a list of apps to try in 2016. One of the apps caught his eye. It was a language exchange app with a community of language learners from all corners of the world, called Tandem. [After downloading the app](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d), Caravaca quickly found a huge amount of native Spanish speakers from Spain and Latin America to speak with. It was mind-blowing. And though his job and lifestyle didn’t change, he started making friends through his smartphone, and his Spanish dreams seemed to get just that little bit closer. 

One person he got to know on Tandem, a girl from Colombia, was actually [learning Chinese](https://www.tandem.net/learn-chinese-online/) for an exchange semester in China. Caravaca was able to give her plenty of advice before she arrived - even including which cities and universities she should go to. In the end, she decided to study in Shanghai, as Caravaca gave her so many great hints and tips about the city. Even better: she knew she already had a friend there. Caravaca said: “I was the only Chinese person she knew before coming to China. I can imagine that feeling of going to a country without knowing anyone, so I decided to welcome her the best way - with warm Chinese food!” 

![caravaca3-1.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/y2JqbvhUPPZFTLRGkhX4r/a09b12d8da4e52c342162180c949680a/caravaca3-1.jpg)

One year on from downloading Tandem, we asked Caravaca about the impact language exchange has had on his life. He said: “I believe that learning is not always for direct or immediate benefit, for example, to pass a test or to get a promotion at work. Instead, I believe that what you learn today will be rewarding later in different ways. “Maybe I’ll go backpacking one day, and my experiences will be so much more enriched by my Spanish and English skills. Perhaps my work will open a new branch in Spain, and I will have the chance to work there. I also have to admit that it is my number one honeymoon destination - I look forward to impressing my future wife with my Spanish skills!” 

What’s for sure is that one day, Caravaca will finally get to see FC Barcelona in action! And in the meantime, he has his friends on Tandem to help him on his Spanish journey :)

##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

Meet Caravaca from China, and read his amazing story about a love of football inspiring him to learn Spanish on Tandem Language Exchange.

generalBanner blogHeader 2

/tandem-tales-dare-different/

Tandem Tales: When You Dare to be Different

Language exchanges on [Tandem](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) are great - but how does it feel to test out your language skills in a real life situation? Our competition winner, Seray, recently visited Berlin, Germany - the home of Tandem's HQ - to experience a different culture first hand. Seray is a student from Turkey and uses Tandem to practice English, German, Spanish and Finnish. She won the competition after [sharing an amazing story](https://www.tandem.net/winners-of-our-meet-up-competition/) about her friendship with her Tandem partner from Mexico, Eduardo. We caught up with her to find out how her trip went. 

__Improving your language skills doesn’t have to be boring… Have fun with conversation exchange! Tandem is not only a language exchange [app](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d), but it is also a community where our members feel empowered to speak any language, anywhere.__ 

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![seray-in-berlin-1.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/6vl9ljp9owZKfVVRDi393u/66c05c09be3643ff4c8b5f7f6799e28a/seray-in-berlin-1.jpg)
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##### Did you know much German before you visited Berlin?

In Turkey, I learned German at High School. I had also practiced on Tandem, so I was sure I would understand what was going on and make some basic conversation. The first time I went out in Berlin by myself I was pleased to overhear and understand a conversation between a mother and a daughter - I hadn’t forgotten everything! They were talking about cookies :)

##### What did you do during your trip?

The first place I visited was the [Christmas Market](https://www.etandem.net/15-german-christmas-market-words) on Alexanderplatz. I tried ‘Kartofellpuffer’ - a kind of potato pancake with applesauce - and enjoyed the music and great atmosphere. Seeing the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery was awesome too. My favourite place, however, was the Brandenburger Tor, which is really royal-looking and beautiful. 
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![seray-in-berlin-26.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/dp7LANNt4xd9Io6KyLdis/6509b29fc48d1983f20ca3137a8fc2f6/seray-in-berlin-26.jpg)
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##### What differences did you notice between Germany and Turkey?

[Food](https://www.etandem.net/commonly-mispronounced-foreign-foods) in Germany is very different. In Turkey, we eat for lunch or dinner what Germans have for breakfast! However, there are a lot of Turkish people in Berlin so it wasn’t hard for me to find some more traditional Turkish food when I started to miss it a little. Transportation was also a bit strange. In Berlin, many people walked around or rode bicycles, even though it was winter. In Turkey, people prefer to drive about in cars - they don’t like to walk or bike as much as the Germans do! 
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![seray-in-berlin-2-1.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/22B0zeckEg18gN6LX0cDuQ/1ab5460f634ee7455331dcc29814a7f8/seray-in-berlin-2-1.jpg)
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##### Can you recommend any useful phrases to use in Berlin?

*   Ich bin Seray. / My name is Seray.
*   Ich komme aus der Türkei. / I come from Turkey.
*   Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen? / Could you please help me?
*   Könnten Sie bitte etwas langsamer sprechen? / Could you speak more slowly please?

##### Did you learn any new phrases?

I thought I would mainly speak “Hochdeutsch” (high German), but actually I ended up speaking English even more than German. As German people speak it so well, this has motivated me to speak even better English!
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![seray-in-berlin-14.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/5gQ2AU2ZkFDNMdcfR9sUjk/3f69ce8fb0e0e23d6a97f7ab9551da94/seray-in-berlin-14.jpg)
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##### Would you come again?

Of course! Though my trip was super busy, I didn't see everything so there is more for me to explore another time. For example, I will definitely visit the Kreuzberg district in the future, where there are lots of Turkish restaurants. I also want to see Checkpoint Charlie someday, as this a special historic symbol of the Cold War in Berlin.

##### We’re so glad you liked Berlin, Seray! Thanks for coming to visit us :)

*Photo credit: [Irene Wissel](http://www.irenewissel.com)*

##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

Language exchanges are great - but how does it feel to test out your skills in a real life situation? Read about our competition winner's trip to Berlin.

/trip-berlin-competition-winner/

Tandem Tales: An Interview with our Competition Winners

Need some tips to get you started with language exchange on Tandem? Meet an expert from our community, Seray from Turkey!

__With millions of members, Tandem is one of the largest language learning communities out there! With our Tandem app, you can connect with native speakers all over the world and practice languages via text, audio message, and video call. [Download Tandem](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d) today - it’s free!__

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![seray-in-berlin-15.jpg](//images.ctfassets.net/0uov5tlk8deu/6AObi7mg46dQFTT14cv2vu/148d5364d6febb114d9c2a456c72e959/seray-in-berlin-15.jpg)_Photo credit: [Irene Wissel](http://www.irenewissel.com)_
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Seray is 20 and uses Tandem to practise four languages (English, Spanish, German and Finnish). Seray has had a lot of success with her partners on Tandem and has made friends with people all over the world. You could almost say she is the ultimate Tandem partner!  She wrote to us to [tell us her story](https://www.tandem.net/winners-of-our-meet-up-competition/). We were so impressed by how much she’d done on Tandem, we invited her to visit Berlin to experience cultural exchange in person. This was the first time she had ever been outside Turkey! Keep an eye on our blog for more about her trip. Seray has lots of experience finding and keeping Tandem partners, but she knows that language exchange isn't always easy. We asked her for some tips on how to be a great partner and get the most out of the app. Here are her top three tips!

##### 1.Talk to everyone!

“Don’t limit yourself when it comes to [starting conversations](https://www.tandem.net/conversation-starters-language-learners) or answering people who chat to you. You never know how the conversation is going to go! It is really important to be open-minded and friendly on Tandem. Don’t assume you know who the best partner will be for you. I’ve practiced English with Mexicans and Spanish with Germans! Talking to lots of different people helps you find out what works best for you.”

##### 2. Find something in common.

“Choose something to discuss with your partner that you both find interesting. For example, you could choose a book or a film that you have both watched before. I like talking about ‘500 Days of Summer’, because everyone has an opinion about that film! Or, sometimes it is fun to both watch the same episode of a TV programme and call each other straight after to talk about it!”

##### 3. Make time to Tandem.

“It is really good to set aside a little bit of time every day for Tandem practice. That way, you can keep in regular contact with your partners and find a good routine with them. If you practice every day, or almost every day, you will never let your language skills go cold - and it also means you’ll develop friendships much more quickly.” 
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##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

Want a productive language exchange? A member of the Tandem community shares her top tips to have the best exchanges ever.

/top-tandem-tips-community/

Top Tips from the Ultimate Language Partner

In October 2016, we asked our community to share their stories of language exchange with us to win the chance to meet their partner on Tandem face-to-face in Berlin. Here is the story of our winners, Seray and Eduardo!

## Eduardo

*Country:* Mexico

*Age:* 25

*Known language(s):* Spanish

*Practicing language(s):* English, Turkish

> Tandem Tip: Don't be nervous! We are all on Tandem to learn, so don't be afraid to go wrong, people here really will help you to learn and improve!

Eduardo had tried out a number of language apps to [practice his English](https://www.tandem.net/practice-speaking-english/), but immediately saw the benefits of being able to connect with other learners around the world. Seray was the first person he talked to when he downloaded the app. Their similar studies offered something in common immediately: industrial engineering in Turkey for Seray, and metallurgical engineering in Mexico for Eduardo. 

Seray was keen to [improve her Spanish](https://www.tandem.net/practice-speaking-spanish/) and find out more about Mexican culture, while Eduardo was happy to share his knowledge of Mexican dishes and recipes. Another favourite activity was both watching the news from each other’s country and then talking about it together. Through these conversations with Eduardo, Seray was able to gain more confidence in her language abilities, and eventually got to the point where she could speak with, and help, the Spanish language students who were visiting her school for an exchange semester. Eduardo improved his English and began to learn Turkish. During the course of these conversations Seray and Eduardo got to know one another quite well, and eventually became close friends. 

## Seray

*Country:* Turkey

*Age:* 19

*Known Language(s):* Turkish, English

*Practicing Language(s):* Spanish, Polish

> Tandem Tip: Come up with activities together. For example, read the same book or watch the same show and discuss it


**Helping each other through tragedy...**

On the night of 29th June 2016, a terrible tragedy happened: Atatürk Airport in Istanbul was hit by a terrorist attack. For Seray, it was difficult to know what was going on, even though it was in her own country. Seray says, “We didn’t have access to the news for hours and hours. I couldn’t get on Twitter, and Facebook was very slow, so it was nearly impossible to get information about the attack”.  Upon hearing about the tragedy in the news, Eduardo immediately got in touch with Seray, and was able to support and console her. “Eduardo wrote to me about the explosion straightaway and shared many details with me that he had found through the news in Mexico,” Seray says. “He tried to calm me down and helped me through the tragedy, even though he was far away.” 

Once communication lines in Turkey improved, Seray received the sad news that one of her friends had died in the attack. Eduardo remained supportive throughout this difficult time: “Eduardo was a great friend to me, even though we have oceans and many countries between us,” Seray says. “Before I had this experience, I thought religions and nations were the most important things to have in common. But now I know that humanity is the most important thing in the world. I have to thank my partner on Tandem for teaching me that.”

**The friendship continues…**

When Seray and Eduardo sent in their story, we were so inspired by the the way language had the power to connect them through the good times, but, more importantly, the difficult ones, despite their different countries and cultures. That’s why we have decided to award them both with a trip to Berlin to meet each other in person, and continue growing their [cultural exchange and language skills](https://www.tandem.net/tandem-language-learning/) together. It’s amazing that something so small as deciding to practice another language could lead to such a close, important friendship. We’re very proud that Tandem was able to make this possible, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for them both.

**Speaking is the fastest way to fluency. But getting the chance to speak a language is a challenge when you’re not living in the country. What if there was a way to befriend a native speaker and practice any time, totally for free? Enter the [Tandem app](https://app.adjust.com/ud8gq6d), where you can speak any language, anywhere. Check it out - you might even make great friends along the way.**

##### YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

Find out how using Tandem language exchange changed the lives of two young people from Turkey and Mexico.

/winners-of-our-meet-up-competition/

Introducing the Winners of our Meet Up Competition

/top-tips-language-exchange/

Welcome to the Tandem blog: your one-stop shop for all the latest news and resources from the coolest language exchange app in the world!!