Before arriving in Spain, I knew the official language was Spanish. I just didn’t realize how different it would feel actually speaking it in a native country instead of learning it in a classroom. On the day of my arrival, I was immediately immersed in Spanish. I stayed in a homestay for the duration of my trip, living with my host mom, Susana, and my roommate. My host mom only spoke Spanish, and my roommate spoke Spanish very well. I felt like the odd one out and really struggled the first few days.
I had taken Spanish classes for six years, from middle school through high school. But it had been over two years since my last class, so I quickly realized that remembering all the grammar rules and vocabulary was going to be challenging. Those first few days, I realized I would have to become comfortable with stepping out of my shell.
Simple things like understanding conversations at dinner, talking with my uber driver, or shopping at the local market felt overwhelming at first. I often caught only bits and pieces of what was said and had to rely on context or body language. But gradually, with a lot of practice and patience from others, I started to feel more confident. I used tools like Google Translate and Duolingo and tried to speak Spanish every day, even when I knew I might make mistakes. My host mom was very kind and would repeat phrases slowly or use hand gestures to help me understand.
Living in the Los Remedios neighborhood helped me become more immersed in the language and culture. Hearing Spanish all around me—on the streets, in cafes, and at home—has helped me grow more comfortable with the language.
Navigating life in a non-English-speaking country has taught me not only about Spanish, but about resilience and the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone. It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my experience abroad so far. My biggest advice is to not let being unfamiliar with a language stop you from getting your full experience while studying abroad. You will get better at a foreign language by continuous practice, not by giving up.