As my plane landed in Pamplona, Spain, I couldn't help thinking, "I'm crazy about going abroad and taking classes in Spanish." My biggest fear was whether I would be able to communicate with Spanish speakers, and how I would be able to adapt to a culture that is different in so many ways from American culture.
Having attended classes in Spanish and talking with native students for over a month now, it got better. When I first started, it was easy to get frustrated when I didn't understand parts of what my professor was saying, or to feel embarrassed when I had to ask someone to repeat themselves many times. However, people often politely corrected me when I made a mistake, and also offered support and words of encouragement. Noticing my own progress through my increased ability to have a conversation has made the frustration dissolve. And it helped me reach my biggest piece of advice to anyone facing the same fear: to force yourself to speak as much as possible.
Another challenge I faced was culture shock when I arrived in Spain. As someone used to stores always being open in Seattle, I've had to get used to most stores being closed during afternoon hours and on Sundays. Plans are made much more slowly, and usually at the last minute, which for someone who values organization and certainty as much as I do, was difficult to get used to. The best way I found to deal with the culture shock was to change my views. I've grown to appreciate the Spanish attitude that there is more to life than work. Family and friends are important as well, and having so much time off allows life outside work to be enjoyed.
Living abroad is always frightening, especially when the language and culture are completely foreign. There will always be challenges, frustrations, and problems. However, learning to deal with them and appreciate the journey has been one of the most valuable things I've learned while abroad.
