Overcoming the Language Barrier - Essay Example

Aside from that, the fact that I lived under the strict control of my parents, freedom for me was something that was limited. This made me have a hard time establishing relationships with my colleagues especially because my parents pushed me hard to maintain good grades while I struggle to resist the diversions like my love for soccer. Because of this, I had to balance my time for academics and at the same time extracurricular activities and make sure not one of them would pull me down. Sooner, I realized that the free society of America was to my advantage because it had given me the freedom that I did not enjoy at home. Whenever I am in school or with friends, I am truly me. However, the price to pay for that freedom would be the fact that I had to be more responsible for my actions and the consequences of which.

During my whole experience, one of the most useful lessons I learned would be learning how other foreign students survive and at the same time enjoy themselves in this situation. This made my life a lot easier as I would not have to go through the rocky roads instead, walk in the paved ones already.

Another would be knowing that practice makes perfect. Thus, to do so, during the weekly get-togethers in the Global Heritage Hall of the campus, I threw myself in every conversation I can have with friends that spoke English because I know it would strengthen my language grasp and command over spoken and written English. Aside from that, I even made more friends, two of whom were Americans who had come from Texas. It was the time when I found out that surviving the language barrier was not an impossible dream at all.

My journey did not stop with just learning new English words and putting it all together to make a sensible statement. One of the important factors in learning a new language would be humor. I consider it a vital factor that connected people from different walks of life and race not only through words but at the same time through memorable dialogue and helped us to overcome the awkwardness of the language wall. I can even remember each one of us speaking English but with our accents that added to many sessions of laughing which was full of fun. The American friends had a great sense of humor which made learning more of mere play. This allowed us to communicate effectively.

I also found that once oral communication became easier, written English posed not much of a problem anymore because once we understand the proper use of tenses, it was so easy to translate them into written words.  Also, with a good circle of friends that helped us learn, we did not lag in the academic aspect. During the first semester, we managed to get good passing grades which was hugely motivating. It also allayed the fear of my relatives that I would not be able to cope independently.  This also made my family have full confidence in me by allowing me to pursue my interest in playing soccer and still know that I would do good in school. Indeed for me, studying abroad was a challenge to survive where culture shock was unavoidable. However, all the experiences and what I have become through it all were so worth it.