Sheer Determination
The further into my Spanish class I go, the more I am impressed by those who leave their native language homes behind and move to a place where they don't know the language. It has been only 6 weeks, intensive sessions, but I am still unable to think fast enough in Spanish to hold a conversation in full sentences. And remember, this is in a class where I am studying the language. It is getting better, of course, and I find myself hearing the Spanish words (although not their meanings) a little more clearly. I have started relaxing more and not having my gut tighten up (along with my brain and tongue) when asked a question by the teacher.

To live this way day in and day out without the benefit of learning and teaching must be downright discouraging. The sheer determination it takes for someone to move to a foreign country without any knowledge of the language is remarkable. I don't know whether I would want to try it. Yet people do it all the time. They undergo incredible trauma- sometimes physically, always emotionally, just to get to a new home where they hope life will be better for them.

I for one am more and more impressed every day. And appropriately humbled.