It depends where you go and what people you hang around with. If they don't talk English there is only one way: learn the local language. I lived in Brazil in

It depends where you go and what people you hang around with. If they don't talk English there is only one way: learn the local language. I lived in Brazil in a small town and every small interaction forced me to speak a little bit of Portuguese. After two months I knew how to get around and talk to people. I had learned Spanish before but still, if you haven't got an option BUT learn the language, you will manage.