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I was very adept at acquiring languages.

The knowledge of languages was very useful. I have a university degree in foreign languages and literature.

Due to these various circumstances, when I entered the Catholic University of Louvain in 1934, I had already travelled in a number of European countries and spoke four languages fairly fluently. This turned out to be a valuable asset in my subsequent career as a scientist.

When I was 12, we began hosting exchange students from Norway, Sweden, Japan and Spain. I soon realized there was a whole world out there. I was determined to spend my sophomore year in high school abroad. My school taught only Spanish, but I wanted to go to France, and I did.

I realized very early in life what my abilities and limitations were, and foreign languages was definitely one of my limitations. With strenuous effort, I just barely passed my French class at Harvard so I could graduate.

I've never been in any country for more than four years, and I'm learning different languages all the time. It gives you a different attitude.

I meet people overseas that know five languages - that the only language I'm comfortable in is English.

I travel like a maniac. I travel more than anyone I know. I love learning the languages.

I lived in England to learn English. When I went to England for the first time, it was like being on the Moon. I had no friends, I couldn't speak the language. I was very isolated.