The first week in Spain, Spanish was a stream of words I clumsily tried to understand. Although I could pick out words and phrases I knew from strangers’ sentences, the thought of processing and responding to a native Spanish speaker with comprehensible and regionally appropriate grammar and vocabulary was terrifying to me. Although I’ve had great Spanish classes that taught me a lot, it is much different taking a Spanish class than it is to be let loose in an environment where you’re forced to process and apply your knowledge in order to get from Point A to Point B, order a coffee, or talk to your host family, in the vosotros tense, no less. At first, communicating in Spanish was very scary, and I’ve had discouraging and embarrassing moments, like the time during my first week in Spain when tried to order tapas and ended up with a single, tiny hamburger.
However, it gradually gets easier. Although by my fifth week here, I still have a hard time understanding what some people are saying, and while it can be hard to fully express yourself in another language, I can tell that I’m gradually improving, which is exciting, if not very tangible. I am more confident speaking in class and can hold a conversation with a Spaniard, más o menos. It feels good to be working toward fluency, one of the main reasons I wanted to study abroad, and having a goal that inspires me to reach out and connect with the people and the culture.