Learning The Language Before Travelling Overseas

Have you ever thought about studying a language?  I know i have on a few occasions.  Recently I was beginning to contrive a trip to China and I carefully considered learning the Chinese language.  A similar thing took place one or two years back when I was thinking about going to France for half a year.  However , that trip slipped through and I stayed home instead. 
 
Research has gotten so much easier nowadays thanks to the web.  I just type into Google what I want and back come the answers.  The other day I started searching for a good learn a language course so I could begin to learn Chinese.  After reading various reviews and feedback from other students, I'm seriously considering the Rocket Chinese course. 
 
Rocket have many language courses and they all seem to be highly rated.  I liked the Rocket Chinese review and also the Rocket German review.  I have a secret wish to visit Germany one day also.  It might be great to be in a position to get around like a local talking and understanding the language. 
 
Being a shy sort of person, I like to learn at my private pace from home.  These courses are great for that purpose.  Also, they teach me the conversational talents of the language which I know will give me more confidence when I visit the country.  I also try and watch films in the language I am learning to help reinforce what the lessons have taught me. 
 
I plan to buy Rocket Chinese tomorrow as I need to visit China in half a year.  After I have attained that, I will most probably learn German next.  I can't wait to learn a new language and then put it into practice with the neighbors.