Taylor Swift finds her level of international success both "beautiful and a pleasant surprise", after talking about her music career's journey in a recent interview. 

The 'Back To December' star, who is only 21, took a break from touring to talk to the Associated Press about her global stardom and explained:

"The international success has been the most beautiful and pleasant surprise. Being welcomed by countries that speak a different language from the language I speak is an honour."

"It really touches me every time I look down and I see all the fans singing the words to my songs, having written the lyrics, knowing that they connect in countries where English really isn't spoken by everyone. It means the world to me."

Swift, who begins the European leg of her 'Speak Now' tour in Belgium on March 6, also added:

"I have heroes who have taken country music internationally. You have Garth Brooks and Shania Twain. They really did a lot for country music because they brought an awareness to it. The fact that I have the opportunity to do that too and go to other countries where I've never been before and play music - it's what I've always dreamed of doing."

Watch Taylor Swift talk about her success in Asia, where she finished touring today (February 22), in a recent interview here: