In 1982, while in college, I lived in Spain with a Spanish speaking family. Not only did I gain fluency in the language, I also fell in love with the culture and history of Salamanca. To this day, I have fond memories of friends I met and a deep appreciation for the plight of a foreigner in a foreign land. Learning the language is the first step toward gaining a foothold in a foreign country, and my Spanish speaking clients understand that. At the same time, they appreciate being able to communicate "en Español," breaking down barriers that otherwise hinder communication and understanding.