How languages changed my life:
I started learning English at the age of six in Angola, where my education was anything but conventional.
A Life Across Borders
I attended a mix of Portuguese, Angolan, and American international schools, while also being home schooled, a common practice in Angola. This early exposure to different educational systems gave me a deep appreciation for languages and how they shape our understanding of the world.
When I was nine, my family moved to London, and I started at an English school. Just as I was getting used to things, we moved again this time to the USA, where I ended up in a British school.
Living in Texas was where my love for Spanish really started. The area had a huge Mexican community, and I’ve always loved meeting people from different backgrounds. I used to ask my mum to drop me off at a shopping centre just so I could sit in the same Mexican restaurant and soak in the atmosphere. The food, the music, the conversations happening around me, I loved it all. That’s when I knew I wanted to learn Spanish, so I took it for my GCSEs.
At sixteen, I moved to Hartlepool for college, and suddenly, I had another challenge understanding the local accent! At first, I couldn’t understand a word people were saying. But with time (and thanks to some of the friendliest people I’ve met), I adjusted. I also took A-levels in Portuguese and Spanish, keeping my passion for languages alive. My college had a lot of Chinese exchange students, and thanks to them we were offered Mandarin as an extracurricular subject. I thought, why not? and spent two years learning it.
University and a year abroad
I moved to Newcastle to study International Business Management with Spanish at Northumbria University.
As part of my degree, I spent a year in Mexico, studying at a Mexican university and fully immersing myself in the culture. It was one of the best experiences of my life. At the same time, I worked in a refugee house, where I looked after children from different countries: Venezuela, Peru, and Colombia. Being surrounded by so many different cultures and dialects made me appreciate how language is more than just words it’s about connection, about making people feel seen and understood.
Valuing African Caribbean languages and cultures
While at Northumbria University, I was also the President of the African Caribbean Society, which opened my eyes to not just different languages, but also the variety of dialects within a single country. People often think of a country as having just one way of speaking, but dialects shape cultures in ways that are just as important as language itself. Leading the society allowed me to connect with so many people and understand just how diverse African and Caribbean cultures really are.
Being part of the PALOP (Portuguese-Speaking African Countries) community has also shaped my experience with language. Even though we all speak Portuguese, the differences in dialects, slang, and expressions between Angolans, Brazilians, and Guinea-Bissauans are fascinating. Working as an Interpreter & Translator in Newcastle exposed me to even more diversity, and I loved being able to help people communicate in moments where language could have been a barrier.
Languages and travel as a route to understanding
Living in so many places has completely shaped the way I see the world. Language isn’t just about speaking it’s about understanding. Working with refugees, I saw how important it is to have someone who can listen, translate their pain, and make their journey even slightly more bearable. It made me realise that sometimes, just being able to communicate with someone in their language can make them feel less alone.
I actively seek environments where I can connect with people from different backgrounds. Co-running a running club with my friends has become another way to immerse myself in diverse cultures, whether through conversations during a run or simply understanding different perspectives.
Currently, I’m pursuing a Master’s in Oil and Gas with Energy Management, unsure of where life will take me next, but confident that my adaptability and love for connection will always make me feel at home. Inspired by my French-speaking friends from Mexico, I’ve also started learning French, adding another layer to my linguistic journey.
My advice about learning languages
My advice to anyone wanting to learn a language? Just start. Language is more than just words it’s a way to resonate with others, to understand their experiences, and to build meaningful connections. It’s a gift that allows us to feel at home, no matter where in the world we are.
Ashley Marques
