Asia is an amazing place, and provides a huge array of eclectic experiences for all types of travellers. If you are going to Asia, there a few points you may want to consider in order to maximise your upcoming adventure.

If you really want a unique cultural experience and gain a depth of understanding that will truly illuminate a country for you, consider your language ability and make an effort to learn some of it if neccessary!  

Being able to speak the local language means that you can converse with a wide range of people and form more genuine relationships with local people. People who cannot communicate in the local dialect can only communicate with a small fraction of that country's inhabitants, usually those directly involved in the tourist industry. This, unfortunately, does not represent a broad cross section of the community.

If you would like to learn some of the local language in-country, please check the individual country pages for information on study opportunities!

Volunteering in Asia is another way to truly enhance your experience and engage with local people. Whether you are teaching English in Vietnam or working with street children in India, you will leave with a unique insight into the culture and lots of good feelings!

For those who do not speak an Asian language and have a limited time-budget, there are two countries where you can go and communicate easily with the local people and really get a feel for the country - Burma, and The Philippines! Both have large English speaking populations, and both provide ample oppurtunities for both learning and adventure. For more information about these destinations, or others in Asia, please use the navigation bar to the right.