foreign country

You use this phrase as a noun. It often follows verbs like visit, travel to, or live in. You can say, "I want to see a foreign country this summer." It sounds natural and clear. You can also use it to talk about products or news. "This car was made in a foreign country." It is a very versatile building block for your English.

Use it when you are talking about travel plans with friends. Use it in a job interview if you have international experience. It works perfectly when you are at the airport. It is great for describing your bucket list. If you are talking to a banker about taxes, use it then too. It is a safe, polite, and standard term for everyone.

Don't use it if you know the specific name of the place. Saying "I am going to a foreign country" sounds a bit vague if you are actually going to France. Just say France! Also, avoid using it if it sounds like you are being exclusionary. In very casual talk with close friends, you might just say abroad. Using foreign country too much can sometimes feel a bit distant or clinical.

In English-speaking cultures, the idea of a foreign country is linked to adventure. People love to talk about "broadening their horizons." In the US or UK, taking a gap year in a foreign country is a rite of passage. It represents growth and learning. Interestingly, the word foreign comes from an old word meaning "outside." So, you are literally talking about the world outside your door.

You will often hear people say they are going abroad or overseas. These mean almost the same thing. Abroad is very common in daily speech. Overseas is used if you have to cross an ocean. You might also hear international destination at the airport. That is just the fancy, professional version of foreign country. Stick to foreign country for general facts and abroad for your personal travel stories.