Spanish soon opened the door to international travel, unlocking exploration in a vast and rich continent south of our border. In university, I won a scholarship to study abroad in Chile, a Spanish-speaking country in South America. From there, I traveled to Argentina, home of soccer star Lionel Messi and the bustling city of Buenos Aires, and to Peru, where I walked through the ruins of Machu Picchu.
As you can see, learning Spanish is a step towards experiencing new foods, environments, cultures, animals and even Wonders of the World. Latin America is home to 18 Spanish-speaking countries and includes some of the most biodiverse places in the world, with incredible plants and animals seen nowhere else. The region has birthed some of the most advanced ancient civilizations, renowned modern artists and thrilling tourist experiences, from whale watching to waterfall rappelling. There is something for everybody!
Now, I live in a Spanish-speaking country, which is very different from being a tourist. I realized that Spanish was my superpower when I had to navigate the tedious aspects of everyday life that we often take for granted when living in our home country. In Colombia, I can’t eat, go to the doctor, ride the bus, buy clothes or make friends without speaking Spanish. I have had to be intentional about my learning so that I can improve and build even deeper connections with people in my community. Although immersing myself in Spanish was initially overwhelming, and I still have challenging moments, Colombia is becoming a sort of home for me, and I am wondering if I would like to move here permanently after my service.
