I have experience learning languages at the college level and by self teaching methods. I grew up speaking Spanish and English. I have studied German, Dutch, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Ukrainian, and a little bit of Mandarin. I am not fluent in all of them, however I have a good command in various of these languages. This is a hobby of mine that has given me something too look forward to in my life. There is nothing like having a conversation in another language with native speakers. Regardless what happens because of my status, I am confident that my language skills and my desire to succeed will get me somewhere in the future. Whether it is in this country or my own.
I've wanted to learn to speak French but the language is just too difficult. Too nasal, I guess. I decided to learn Spanish instead because it sound simple and you pronounce the words as it is spelled.