I’ve been on a mission to learn Spanish ever since I can remember.
My language learning journey started in middle school.
Of all the languages I could learn in high school, I chose Spanish as my language elective once again.
As a Texan, it just made sense to learn Spanish.
In my college days, I knew that learning Spanish would lead to more job and internship opportunities. I knew that it would make me a greater global citizen. I knew that it would help me travel more freely if I ever got the chance to see the world. Despite being fully aware of the benefits of learning Spanish, I still never managed to learn more than the basics.
Once I began working full-time in HR, I found that I needed a hobby. Post-grad depression was setting in heavy and I needed to find a way to live life on my own terms in the context of working a 9-5. My blog, Hey Ciara, served as the perfect creative outlet at the time. It was a way for me to share my passion and love for world travel, even when I couldn’t travel at the capacity that I truly desired. I knew early on that I’d quit my job to pursue full-time travel. I began plotting where I’d kick off my year of travel. Mexico, Central America, and South America were the first regions that came to mind.
Firstly, I knew that I could fly to Mexico for less than $200. I could easily make my way from North America down to South America on a budget. I could learn about a variety of cultures in Latin America and listen to plenty of Reggaeton along the way (and I listened to plenty). Finally, I knew that I could finally immerse myself in the Spanish language far beyond the classroom.
If you’ve been following for a while, you know I spent several months backpacking throughout the region. I spoke Spanish in markets, taxis, restaurants, etc. I stumbled over my words and oftentimes had to whip out my translator if I needed any assistance. I took one-on-one Spanish classes in Guatemala and even stayed in a Guatemalan family’s home. I practiced Spanish any chance I got and I truly fell in love with the language.
After several months, I left the region speaking a conversational level of Spanish. While I was able to get a grasp on the language much quicker than I had in school, I still have a lot to learn. If someone speaks too fast, I find that I’m unable to follow. Let’s just say, I have the grammar and vocabulary of a 12-year-old. I planned to spend more time in both Mexico and Guatemala during 2020 so that I could continue learning, but the pandemic curved that plan.
Once quarantine began, I knew that it would be the perfect time to brush up on my Spanish-speaking skills. This would give me a way to travel and learn about different cultures from the comfort of my home. I immediately downloaded Rosetta Stone, created a Reggaeton playlist, and tuned into Netflix Spain!
Since then, I’ve been using Rosetta Stone to learn more vocabulary and nail down some better grammar. This has been the ultimate way for me to stay busy, keep my mind active, and focus on a goal to keep me moving forward at this very uncertain time. I truly love learning Spanish and it has made me look forward to future travels. I’m more than ready to show off all that I’ve learned over the past few months. If I decide to continue classes in Mexico post-pandemic, I’ll be much further along in my language learning journey. Plus, I learned that Rosetta Stone also offers Live Lessons that are completely free. So there’s no better time to start learning a new language.
If you’re looking for a way to immerse yourself in another culture and build a skill that can help you in your future travels, I recommend learning a language with Rosetta Stone!