Learning a new language or, in fact, learning anything requires that a few but important set of circumstances combine to create a perfect environment. First and foremost, you need a very good motivation. If you are not motivated to learn anything, then your chances of actually succeeding are slim to none. You also need the correct environment. This, just like the previous, varies from person to person. Perhaps you are a problem solver and believe that full immersion with no type of lifeguard is ideal. For me, I like a challenge without feeling like an idiot. I enjoy knowing the answer or how to do something, but I also enjoy "getting it right." Another important aspect for my learning environment is a pleasant looking place. Perhaps this seems a bit snob, but I don't necessarily need luxury. I want to be at a place where I like to go. I like walking and looking forward to a class or a discussion. I like to walk around the streets and not only feel safe but feel like myself. And last but not least, you need the correct resources to make this happen. Whether these resources are money for tuition, books for further study, time in your day to devote to this and a place where you can study, resources are important. The stories of people learning math with no pen or pencil and wonderful and inspiring, but are really one in a million.
Perhaps this post is a bit nerdy, but this week I continued a journey into learning something that I truly enjoyed. Nederlands (or dutch) is the fifth language I learn, but this time, it has a different feel to it. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would and more than I had in a long time. Five months ago, I began taking classes to learn Nederlands. I started in a school in Mexico that did not promise to be much but quickly turned into a pleasant learning environment. After a rocky start at another school in Belgium, this week I began classes at Maastricht University. When I visited Maastricht last April, I knew I loved the place the moment I walked out of the parking lot. It is a small but cozy city that has as much of a college feel as it does luxury and comfort. The restaurants are cozy and I love the shops. My favorite is a bookstore that is in a building that used to be a church. It is absolutely stunning. You drink coffee where many years ago, a priest offered mass. The university, I've been told, is known for its rigor and competes among the best. Yet, even with all the pomposity, everyone is laid back. It is a school where you see all types of students and faculty walking around. You see a language teacher wearing converse and a young student with a mini-dress; young teachers and older students; people walking and riding bikes; those that seem forgot to shower and others very clean.
It is in these posts that I completely show my nerdy side. Yes, I am excited about learning and going to class. I am so excited that I chose my clothes the night before after studying for a couple of hours, I was nervous the night before and couldn't sleep, I arrived to class early to get a good seat, I felt motivated when I walked out after being challenged, went to the bookstore (the church one I mentioned) to buy more books to study and now I am writing a blog about learning. Today I feel like myself because I did the one thing I love to do: I went to school!
Happy learning :)
