How languages changed my life:
I’m originally from Newcastle, where I first fell in love with languages while studying Spanish at school.
My passion really took off after attending a fantastic Spanish conversation class with Emma Wass at Chuchos, which gave me the confidence to dive deeper into the language. This experience shaped my academic journey, leading me to study Economics with Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Sheffield.
Languages sparked a passion for travel – and more languages
My degree included a great year abroad split between Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona and UNIL in Lausanne, where I not only improved my language skills but also immersed myself in the rich cultural landscapes of both cities and met with students from around the world.
After finishing university, my desire for new experiences took me around the world. In Tanzania I volunteered as a teaching assistant.
I then travelled through South America, where I got to fully embrace the vibrant cultures of the region, all while perfecting my Spanish, which now has a slight Argentinian twang! I visited Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Columbia, Argentina and Brazil.
Along the way, I also picked up a bit of Portuguese, which came naturally given my language background, and Italian, which I learned through conversations with Italian friends during my travels and studies.
Languages opened the door to a career – and even more languages
These days, I’m studying Portuguese online with International House in London to improve my grammar, and I’m also putting my Spanish to use working in Newcastle, where I sell IT systems to companies in Spain.
In the future, I dream of living in Argentina or Brazil, where I can continue exploring new cultures, connecting with people and sharing experiences through language. As a linguist and traveller, I’m always excited to see where my journey takes me next.
Luke Edgar
- Engagement Specialist at Durhamlane
