Earning a PhD in history required that I pass foreign language translation exams. So the summer before I returned to Syracuse I started studying Spanish with a tutor. I had an introduction to Spanish book I used that summer then headed to Guadalajara, Mexico for three months Spanish language immersion program (course work plus live with a family). I had convinced myself that after some study with my book and tutor and the three month immersion program I would be close to fluency—fat chance!
