Moments of confusion, embarrassment, learning and realization are inevitable when you immerse yourself in a second language.

But, not to worry! These are the harmless experiences that make immersion such a powerful and effective method of language learning: words jump out of the vocabulary book and become part of your day-to-day life. Social situations with native speakers (even the awkward, fumbly ones) are the situations where you learn “real Spanish”—slang, irony, humor, local culture.

If you’re signed up to join us on our Spanish immersion programs this summer in Costa Rica, Peru and Spain, we can’t wait to meet you. Read on for some tips to kick-start your language learning while volunteering abroad this summer.

1. Think quality over quantity

You’ll be surprised to know that many expats remain unwilling or unable to hold a conversation in Spanish despite having spent months abroad. On the other end of the spectrum, it’s always inspiring to meet diligent language learners who speak nearly flawless Spanish despite going abroad with little to no knowledge of the language.

It’s not just about how much time you spend in country; it’s also about the quality of interactions in the target language. Language acquisition is two-sided: Quality interactions require engagement and effort both from the international student (you) and the host country language partners (everyone around you in country, including your Home Base staff, program directors and residents you’ll meet). We’ve got the second part covered, so try to intentionally pursue opportunities to converse in Spanish.

2. Make Excuses to Strike Up Conversations

You may feel silly or embarrassed at first talking to strangers in flawed Spanish. But constant practice is the only way to get better, so take a deep breath and ask away! Take up the habit of intentionally looking for ways to start short conversations with people you encounter in your host country. For example:

• Ask your bus driver how long it will take to get to your next destination
• Ask the local staff (not your English-speaking Program Director at your Home Base) to explain an unfamiliar dinner item. Way more fun than opting for PB&J every time you eat!
• Ask a flea market or crafts fair vendor about their product
• Ask somebody on the street to take your picture (more social than a selfie stick)*

These are all simple, quick interactions. But over time, these thirty-second conversations can build confidence and alleviate the discomfort of speaking a foreign language.

*Always stick with a buddy and don’t stray too far from your group—practice adventurous learning but safe, savvy traveling too!

3. Just say NO to English

As a GLA student, you’ll be meeting a lot of English-speaking peers from your home with GLA country, and likely forming lifelong friendships! However, try not to get stay in the English-speaking expat bubble at all times. When you go out into the community in a group, rather than exclusively talking amongst your new best friends, try to ask questions of the local residents as well.

Similarly, at Home Base, don’t just smile politely at the local staff. Make it clear that your interaction with them in Spanish is important to your learning experience. GLA works with local communities and hires residents intentionally, and part of the reason for that is to give students a more immersive experience.

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If you follow these three tips, a volunteer abroad experience can be an incredibly powerful tool for both language learning and a rich intercultural experience.

Que te vaya bien!

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Contributed by Margaret Chiu

While anyone who engages in US and world politics might try to tell you that green energy and sustainability are taking a huge beating, it couldn’t be further from the truth. Even though green projects still don’t have mainstream or widespread government backing in most of the world, that hasn’t stopped some serious forward thinking individuals and governmental bodies from undertaking some truly amazing sustainable building projects. Here are some of the most amazing projects undertaken in recent years.

1. Eco City – Hamburg, Germany

The Eco City is a project being undertaken in Hamburg on the shores of once-forgotten Harburg Harbor. Germany has always been a country taking leaps forward in sustainability, and this initiative takes it even further.

The goal of the project is to create a 100% self-sustainable community with 100 percent fully sustainable power sources and its own office buildings, warehouses, and production facilities. It will also include plenty of tourist facilities like hotels, restaurants, and retail spaces. All of that powered by sustainable energy is truly a great example to show the rest of the world it can be done. Let’s hope they finish it up soon.

2. World’s largest wind farm – Shepherds Flat, Oregon

Wind power is becoming quite trendy lately, even in the United Sates. In fact, the US has the world’s largest wind farm in Shepherds Flat, Oregon.

Funded by a generous loan from the US Department of Energy a few years back, the wind farm is said to generate 845 megawatts of power over 30 square miles of land. That’s enough power to run 235,000 average households and may prevent up to 1.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

3. Bud Clark Commons – Portland, Oregon

OK, I think it’s becoming more obvious that Oregon is a very forward-thinking state in the United States, and this next example is further proof. The Bud Clark Commons is the result of Portland’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. The building serves as a temporary home to homeless people transitioning into more permanent living arrangements.

The building offers a day center, public courtyard, and easy access to transportation. There is a 90-bed temporary shelter area and 130 separate permanent studio apartments that the homeless can transition into. All of this is fully sustainable and certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

The facility has features like graywater recycling, zero stormwater runoff, solar hot water, and a high-performance envelope. The estimated energy savings per year versus fossil fuels is $60,000.

4. Solar energy-collecting bike paths – Netherlands

In the Netherlands, a few companies are joining forces to launch an innovative new idea, bike paths that can harvest solar energy. The project could be a game changer for the world if it works out, proving that much of the world’s sidewalks could be replaced with panels to harvest energy into the grid, potentially saving tons of greenhouse gas emissions and money.

The idea is a simple bike path that’s made of concrete topped with glass. Beneath the surface, silicon solar cells capture energy at an estimated 50 kWh per square mile per year. That sounds pretty small admittedly, but when you scale it up to the size of an average city the savings could be massive.

The path, called the SolaRoad, has already been rolled out in a small test section. It has exceeded expectations so far, which is great news for the future of green roads.

What other sustainable development examples in the real world have you excited for the future? Tell us in the comments!

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Contributed by Nicholas Bartholomew

No matter your age or background, participating in a mission trip is a life-changing experience. There are few other more impactful opportunities to broaden your perspective while also safely challenging your personal comfort zones. The sense of togetherness and empowerment achieved from your work will forever remain a part of you and the way you observe the world. The thought of traveling abroad with people you don’t know for any extended period of time can, however, seem difficult and intimidating. Don’t be fooled. This is one experience you absolutely don’t want to miss out on. Here are five great reasons you should jump at the opportunity to participate in a short term mission trip, no matter how old you are or where you live.

1. Knowledge That You Made a Difference in the World

Whether you’re helping children learn to read, digging wells, or rebuilding homes after a natural disaster, the work you do on your mission trip will impact the lives of other people. The knowledge that you have made a difference, even for just a single person, will be something you can be proud of for years to come.

2. Ability to Easily Manage Your Trip around School or Work

While long term mission trips offer participants the opportunity to make change on a bigger scale, taking off from school or work for an indeterminate amount of time simply isn’t possible for everyone. Short term service trips, on the other hand, often span only 10 to 14 days and can be scheduled over holiday breaks or by using paid vacation time.

3. Opportunity to Use What You Learn Abroad When You Get Home

 You will likely return from your mission trip with knowledge of and proficiency in many new things, regardless of the duration of your service. This new understanding, as well as any acquired skills, can often be put to great use at home, in your church, and within your community.

4. Chance to Explore without Long-Term Commitment to a Single Place

 Traveling abroad can be scary, especially if you’ve never done it before. Opting to participate in a short term mission trip allows for a sampling of the experience and the location without making a long term commitment. Participating in several short term service trips to different places can often help you better determine what you’re meant to be doing and where you’re called most to do it.

5. Expansion and/or Revitalization of Your Faith in People

One thing is certain; joining together on mission trips for young adults and other like-minded people giving selflessly to achieve a common goal is good for the soul. Whether you’ve been feeling unfulfilled and disconnected or are simply seeking to expand upon and express your faith in other people a new way, a short term mission trip may be exactly what you need.

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Contributed by Amanda Vosloh Bowyer