• People would go out of their way to practice their English on an actual English speaker.

    I had similar experiences in Germany.  Having learned German for nine years in school, however, at first I told them that there were many Americans that would be glad to speak with them in English.  For me, however, this was my chance to speak German, and didn't want to pass it up.  Once I'd been there a while I was more open to speaking English with Germans.  But I always enjoyed my weekends traveling when I could get away from the English language for a few days.