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Traveling internationally is a great way to broaden one's perspective, try new things, see amazing sights and make lifelong memories.
But sometimes, it's difficult to communicate with natives when English isn't a predominant language in the area.
Luckily, Iconspeak, a company started by three Swiss men whose passion is to travel the world, produces T-shirts, hats and bags that can make communicating a lot easier.
The apparel features small pictures that represent common words used when speaking with people familiar with any given area.
Want to ask what time it is? There's a clock icon. Looking for the nearest bathroom, train station or restaurant? There are icons for that as well.
Travelers need only to point to the icons to communicate with others and get the answers to important questions. The gear can also be used to spark casual conversations.
"We came up with the idea in 2013 when we were riding motorbikes through Vietnam and one broke down," said co-founder George Horn, who found himself in a small village where no one could understand his English or French.
He and his fellow travelers used symbols written on paper to communicate with the villagers, who were able to help, he told CNN.
So he used the method again in other situations, ultimately creating the T-shirt line.
"I've been testing them around Europe and my colleague, Florian, is right now using them in Latin America," Horn said.
Other symbols on the shirts, which sell for $33, include a phone, a first aid kit, an airplane, Wi-Fi bars and a stack of money.
"We kept away from religious symbols, just to be on the safe side," Horn said.
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