Do you know how it feels when you are about to go swimming in the summer and you want to jump in, but you dip your toe in first to see how cold it is? Well, that's what I did in the following weeks. I began to talk to a few people in the school and make conversation with people on buses. I began to get my confidence back when it came to speaking Spanish and slowly started to make myself known in my schools and community. I began to go out with the teachers during their coffee breaks instead of sitting in the lounge, and I started to go to zumba and yoga classes at the gym without feeling out of place.
Phase 4: Immersion
After these few experiences, I dove right in. I started making jokes in Spanish, asked questions upon questions, and took advantage of any opportunity I had to learn something. I started to volunteer with the Red Cross during the week and began to go to church with a woman that I met through a co-teacher. I began to make my own little friend group, and I was loving it.
Phase 5: Reflection and Acceptance of Yourself
This is the most important phase in integrating yourself into the community. First, you need to reflect and think about all you have learned and how far you have come. People grow and learn every single day, and it is important to make note of that. Also, you need to accept yourself for who you are. I still make mistakes in Spanish and still sometimes feel out of place, but I accept that. I see it as another opportunity and challenge to understand the Spanish culture and language even more. I had to learn that I couldn't just arrive and be a part of the community. I needed to learn, ask questions, and accept myself when I made (and make) mistakes.
