....had a great time.
I never needed to speak the local language to get comfortable, I just made my best attempt with a few guidebook phrases and made out just fine.
....I studied in the UK but I'd hardly call in foreign....in fact I feel that way about any place where white people are the majority and english is the first spoken language....so I vote against the UK - go somewhere with a little more adventure....I think you will come back with a better appreciation of your fist foray into this big world.