If there’s one thing I wish I had taken more seriously before moving abroad, it’s learning Spanish. In high school, I didn’t really care; I took it because I had to, for two years, and then that was it. I never thought I’d need it, never imagined moving to another country, and certainly didn’t picture immersing myself in a culture where Spanish is everywhere.
And before anyone comes at me, yes, I wanted to live abroad. But I never expected to fall in love with it as much as I have. I originally thought, “Okay, I’ll try living abroad for a year, then come back home.” But here I am, heading into my second year, hoping for a third, fourth… who knows how many more.
Sure, I knew a little Spanish before coming here, but Spain has definitely humbled me. Immersion teaches you a lot, but it doesn’t replace proper learning. I’ve picked up phrases, figured out conversations on the fly, and even had some breakthroughs, but there are moments when I really feel the limits of my Spanish.
Take this memory on the train, for example. There was a beautiful abuela sitting alone, all dressed up, and I could tell she wanted to talk. I gave her my absolute bare minimum Spanish because that’s all I knew. I felt so bad because I genuinely wanted to connect with her. As she was leaving, she tapped my knee to say goodbye. It was such a sweet little gesture. And I thought, imagine the conversation we could’ve had if I really spoke Spanish.
Moments like that hit you. The little interactions, the advice you could get from local abuelas, the friendships you could form, the doors that could open, they’re all richer when you can speak the language.
While it’s true that you can get by without knowing Spanish, I highly recommend at least making an effort to learn. Even a basic understanding can completely transform your experience. Going into my second year, I can confidently walk up to a front desk, ask a few questions, and respond to simple conversations. Of course, if things get more complex, I still rely on Google Translate, but it’s nice to handle everyday situations on my own.
I’ll catch myself in the middle of a conversation, mentally translating everything into English, and then realizing, wait, I get it!, and it feels like a little victory. Honestly, it’s kind of fun. There’s a quiet satisfaction in understanding someone, in catching a nuance or joke that would’ve gone right over your head before.
But there are also moments where the limits of my Spanish hit hard. I remember being at a doctor’s office: I had an appointment, but ended up waiting nearly two hours. I was frustrated, but because I couldn’t fully express myself in Spanish, I held it in. I didn’t want to sound entitled; I wanted to be polite. By the end, my frustration got the best of me, and I left the office crying, not because anyone treated me poorly, but because I couldn’t express myself fully.
That moment really hit me. It made me realize how much knowing the language could help, not just practically, but emotionally. Being able to speak, advocate for yourself, and connect with people on a deeper level adds a layer of confidence and freedom that’s hard to replicate. Learning Spanish isn’t just about communicating; it’s about truly living in the country and feeling at home.
So seriously: take it seriously. Classes, tutors, apps, whatever it takes, really try to learn Spanish. It will make your time abroad not just easier, but infinitely more meaningful. You’ll feel more confident, more connected, and trust me, you’ll never regret it.
If you’re curious about where to begin, I’ve shared a resource that helped me in another post. You can read my guide on how to start learning Spanish and find what works best for you. Learn Spanish for Free!
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
