Soledad, your point of view is interesting to me because for a few years I was exposed to many young girls (right out of high school) that took out a "student travel loan" that New Zealand banks offered to young people.

When they came to the United States they took positions as nanny's - stayed for six months in one place, saw as much as they could and then moved on to another city. The whole time they did not make a great deal of money here, but they also had little expenses. For many, the ultimate goal was to get to England and then finally return home to New Zealand.

I think we also have a generational gap here. What today, might seem easy to save for - travel in particular - was not as easy for people say in the 1930's - 40's - 50's. Travel was very expensive. If you were raising a family it was out of the question.
And think back to then - there were not all of the "toys" that we now have and seem to want. Parents just got by.

How many of this generation also made sure their kids had a good education right through college and THEN made their travel plans in their retirement? And they did not live lavish lives.

This is all way off the subject of the ability to learn English or a second language.

I think in the next generation you will see many young adults who can speak fluent Korean, or Spanish or another native tongue and also English. But as the generations pass on, how many will keep their mother tongue?