I came here to learn how to speak Spanish better, but I still find it really difficult to get out of my comfort zone and speak Spanish with locals. Sometimes, I feel like people look at me like I’m not as intelligent or less capable because of my inability to communicate effectively in Spanish.
Being an international student can feel really frustrating at times, but I’ve found comfort in a community of other exchange students who share similar experiences. Here, when I find someone that speaks English, I get this huge sense of relief and a sense of belonging, and I instantly want to be their friend. Now, I understand why international students tend to stick together now -- it’s because being with others who share similar experiences and can speak the same language is the closest you can get to the feeling of home. I'm very lucky to say that I found myself a group of friends here where I feel like I belong!
