Ever since I was four, I've been in dual language programs. My mom is a Spanish and ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher and she wanted her children to also know Spanish, so I had around eight years of learning all of the school subjects in two languages, and then six years in high school and college taking Spanish. I'm from Texas, and with our growing Hispanic population, it's definitely been useful to be able to speak Spanish fluently.

It's really hard to explain to my friends why I love being bilingual because most of them just don't get it. A lot of people in my hometown usually stay stuff like "this is America, they should learn to speak English so why are you learning Spanish?" That is probably the most annoying statement I've heard in my life. I'm not sure if everyone realizes this, but America doesn't have a set national language. Knowing more than one language has several cognitive benefits, but it also teaches you more about different people groups and gives you a connection that only comes from knowing their language.

Every time I hear someone speak Spanish around me, I get a little excited. I'm probably the most Caucasian person you've ever seen—blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin—and I always love seeing the reactions of people when I respond to them in Spanish. When I went on a cruise to Mexico, being able to talk with our waiter in Spanish while the people I was with were sitting with a blank look on their faces was such a cool experience. I felt so connected to the Mexican culture in that hour long conversation, which would not have been possible if I was a plain old monolingual.

I've always thought English was pretty boring because we usually only have one term for most things, but in Spanish, the adjectives is after the object and there are like four different words for beef depending on how it's cooked! How cool is that?! It also sounds so rich; for example, when there are two "r's" together you have to roll your tongue. English doesn't do that!

Basically what I'm trying to say is to get exposed to another language, no matter what it is. It's never too late to learn new things, and though it'll be harder to learn a second language when you're older, try it anyway! Then I challenge you to go to the country where that is their native language. Get immersed in the culture and only speak their language. Order food in their language. Ask for directions in their language. Enjoy the awkwardness when you can't think of a word and you have to just broadly explain your thoughts. Everyone appreciates when you try to speak their language. Have fun, because bilingual is better.