My first day of school felt so strange as if I was banished to Mars. Or at least to some very far away place full of strangers where nobody speaks my language. Because indeed, nobody spoke my language on my first day of school. I was 6 years old and lost among people whom I couldn’t even talk to. How could this happen? I spent all of my childhood in Hungary, but it still felt like we just moved to another country right before me starting school. Although no such thing happened, I still blame everything on my parents.
Now you might think that they did something awful to me. On the contrary. My parents wisely made a life-changing decision when they sent me to the British International School of Budapest. Why do I say life-changing? This decision of my parents makes it possible for me to stand here now. In the United States, at an acknowledged university. I went to school on that first day without being able to understand a single word of English. There I was surrounded by foreign classmates and teachers, none of whom I could talk to. Now here I am, standing in front of you and if you asked me to speak French or German, it wouldn’t be a problem either. For this ability of mine, I am endlessly thankful to my parents. They provided me with such a bilingual education that will benefit me in several ways throughout my life.
Languages are a door to the world. Languages open our eyes towards other cultures. Languages let us interact with people of different nationalities and therefore provide us with huge opportunities throughout our career, whatever we choose it to be.
Bilingual education must be strengthened in the United States. Schools must emphasize teaching a second language. But first of all, you are the decision makers. There are plenty of ways to enhance your language skills and broaden your opportunities. And I didn’t even mention the most important thing yet: the valuable knowledge which you can provide your future