Culture Immersion

To be fluent in Spanish is on my buck list and I’m on my way to achieve it. The best way to learn a language is to be immersive. I took advantage of remote working opportunities to live in Spanish-speaking countries. I love the cultural experience. I want to do it again this year.

I reached out to people in or with connections in Argentina, Chile, México, Uruguay, El Salvador. After over a month of trying, nothing came out. It’s be easy to go back to the same host families and counties, yet I’d like a different experience. I kept going…

I asked a friend from Columbia. Within a week, she gave me 4-5 options with her family and friends in capital, smaller town, tourist area, even a coffee plantation. I chose to stay with her sisters in a small town. I like smaller town for more personal interaction and walk-ability. I look forward to seeing her sisters after 12 years. I remember the last visit, I barely understood Spanish then yet it’s never a barrier, I was welcomed everywhere, often ate 3 breakfasts a day; 8 of us magically fitted in a tiny car to go out/ I learned the local dance in pitch dark; we took a road trip from Bogota to Medellin through the mountains. There was not any sign, everybody we asked told us to go straight for 4 hours yet it took 3 times to get there. Flying would be easier yet it’s a lot more fun to see the countryside and stopped by local joint to try different food and fruits. Latin people’s warmth and generosity prompt me to start leaning the language. I’m excited for the new adventure, gracias a L + A + D*!

* to protect people’s privacy, use 3 sisters’ initials