Even though I felt immensely embarrassed for my pauses and errors after only speaking English and Polish for the last nine months, I could feel my Spanish coming back quickly as I got to know my teachers at my schools and new friends in Oviedo.
My schools have been incredible in helping me feel connected in the small village where my students live and study as well as within Oviedo itself. All my teachers have my contact information and have assured me that I can contact them no matter if it's school related or not. My friends in my Fulbright program have helped me find my new favorite places in the city and I showing them mine. They've also introduced me to their teachers who in turn have welcomed me with open arms. And my Spanish roommate has been nothing but sweet as I constantly use Spanglish in the house when both languages fail me.
As with everything in life, it takes time to feel settled in a new environment and to feel comfortable with yourself in a new space. All one needs to remember is to breathe and know that it'll all work out!
