When on an educational tour what’s one of the best ways to learn about another culture? Try simply chatting with the locals. We know, sometimes breaking the ice can be a tad awkward. So, here are a few suggestions on how to open up dialogue, and perhaps, make a friend along the way.

1. Show your pearly whites

So you don’t speak the language of your host country? Not to worry because you do speak the language of the world. (Translation: a wide smile and a friendly face!) Smiling is welcoming particularly in European countries such as France, Germany and Spain because it suggests that you want to initiate conversation. And in many places good eye contact connects people. Yet in Japan and Peru, keeping a straight face and eye contact to a minimum is more respectful.

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