The ability to visualize a future situation or circumstance can be highly advantageous to the human mind, yet it can also be misleading. In my situation, a mix of overconfidence and excitement added a much-needed learning curve to my first couple of weeks in Spain, making it the most enjoyable period of learning I have experienced thus far.
As someone with an immense passion for the Spanish language, I was ecstatic to learn that my tentative classes abroad were approved, and I was officially going to live in Salamanca, Spain, for three months. I had been taking Spanish since the sixth grade and every year/semester after that, and I felt confident in my abilities. I was excited to speak with people who were local to the language and was eager to showcase my so-called “skills.”
Well, let me tell you, these skills were significantly humbled.
AMRO Salamanca’s terrace, where a multitude of late-night Spanish talks came to fruition.
I did not take into account how fast people speak, their accents, the multitude of dialects, and how ordering a coffee “for here” or “to go” was much more complicated than I thought. Before my travels, I was aware that learning the Spanish language in the classroom is very different from learning it through direct immersion; however, my awareness wasn’t entirely accurate, and I indeed became comfortable with being uncomfortable quickly. Incredibly, I was awoken with patience, kindness, and grace from the individuals who encountered my trying presence. I quickly realized that when I slowed down, breathed, and even stopped talking, it provided room for understanding and (ironically) better communication.
My not-so-common iced coffee from Santa Gloria, which was ultimately received in a to-go cup (winning!).
One particular example of this happened in the communal laundry room at my residence, where 97% of the students speak Spanish as their first or second language. I was standing in the “lavadero” waiting for a washer to become available when another girl came in to transfer her laundry to the dryer. She greeted me with a smile and an “¡Hola!” followed by an exquisite collection of words that I rapidly blinked at, and I laughingly responded, “lo siento pero no entiendo.”
Her kind and outgoing demeanor led to a game of charades, where I ultimately found that she was trying to explain that her clothes still smelled like cigarettes from a previous night out, even after washing them. I gave a “oh sí, sí” and we proceeded to laugh and communicate the best we could about a diverse collection of things and topics. Now, every time I see her, we speak out of excitement for each other’s languages and are eager to understand. Especially in the classroom, my ability to speak Spanish has been enhanced by simple eye contact and a slight nod of the head.
La Casa de las Conchas, or “The House of the Shells” – Salamanca’s public library and my beloved study spot.
Personally, I’ve never been the most active participant in class – I typically prefer to absorb information internally, through organized notes, and by observing others. However, when learning a language, I believe it is necessary to speak it in class, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. It is clear to me that practicing and trying are valued greatly over perfection, and growth comes from effort and the embrace of patience.