If You're Puerto Rican Like Me, Follow These Tips When Traveling Abroad

Traveling abroad is all fun and games until you are unable to tell the cab driver at the airport where to drop you off, or make new friends at the bar. There are apps that can assist you, but it's way more satisfying when you can talk to someone without any outside help.

As a native Spanish speaker, picking up Italian was easier since the languages are similar. I started learning it after I got to Rome, which was useful, but it would have been better to arrive with that knowledge in order to get around and socialize from the second I landed. Learning the local language makes the experience a little more fulfilling.