Mi Vida Loca

Of all the free Spanish learning programs I've tried, Mi Vida Loca is definitely the funnest way to learn since it places individuals in real settings they might come across (however I don't recommend this if your looking for an intensive study program since in my opinion its not). This interactive web episode/game tells the story of a tourist who goes to Madrid, the capital of Spain, and encounters several challenges while he or she is there. Best part is, you play the tourist and this game teaches you how to ask for directions, buy a bus ticket, order food, and several other things most people will probably need to know if they go to Spain or any other Spanish speaking country. Right now I've just finished episode 8, where the tourist takes a bus to visit friends in another city. I'm enjoying it so far and I plan to keep participating, if anyone is interested this is the link, http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/mividaloca/

I received news from my host family, they always sound happy and excited, my host sister especially. I can't wait to meet them all, hopefully by the time I arrive there I'll be able to communicate well enough in Spanish. Honestly I don't believe that any amount of studying will prepare me completely, however I am at least trying to learn. A great way of learning is watching children's movies in Spanish, you can find several on youtube (I enjoyed Sunny with a Chance of Meatballs), another way is listening to music, my favorite way is simply talking to my friend who speaks fluent Spanish and is quick to correct me.

When the local Rotary Club called informing me that I had been accepted into the Youth Exchange Program I was completely overwhelmed with excitement about the trip ahead. I was especially excited about the fact that I was going during my sophomore year, meaning I'd have plenty of time to catch up and take AP and college classes when I got back. During one of the Rotary meetings I learned that I was going to spend the next year in...Spain! Now sophomore year is almost here, I have two months until my departure.

As the days go by I find myself becoming slightly nervous, especially with all of my friends declaring that I'm completely insane to spend a year immersed in a different language, living with strangers, in an utterly new setting. However I continue to remind them that I've spent a quality amount of time learning Spanish, my host family have contacted me several times by email and they seem like perfectly wonderful people, and that a new setting is ideal if I ever want to experience anything new in life.