“I’m proving to myself that it’s never too late to learn a new language and chase big dreams.” #BaseLangStories

After moving to Puerto Rico, Bryant realized that learning Spanish wasn’t just about convenience—it was about fully participating in his new life. After years of classroom Spanish and language apps that never led to real conversations, BaseLang helped him finally break past the basics. With consistent one-on-one practice, he’s built the confidence to navigate the island freely, connect with locals, and actually live in Spanish every day.

BaseLangStories series puts the spotlight on BaseLang students – asking them about their motivations for learning a foreign language, what impact learning Spanish has had on their lives, advice they have for fellow students, and more.

1. What’s your name? Where are you from?

Hi! I’m Bryant. I’m originally from rural Louisiana and spent 15 years in Columbus, Ohio before relocating to the west coast of Puerto Rico in June 2023, where I now call home.

2. Why did you want to learn Spanish?

Since I now live in a Spanish-speaking country, knowing the language is helpful for everyday life, but more than that, I see it as a way to show respect to the island. I’m also excited to speak Spanish because it opens up the whole LATAM world for me to explore more fearlessly.

3. In the past, what did you use to learn Spanish?

I took Spanish classes for two years in high school and two years in university, and honestly, I didn’t learn much. Traditional classes never really focused on real-world conversation. Later on, I tried using the usual mobile apps, but they felt more like checking a box than actually learning.

4. Before BaseLang, which part of learning Spanish did you struggle with the most?

I swear, in four years of traditional classes, we never moved outside the present tense! I know people say you should live in the present, but sometimes you need to tell a funny story from the weekend or make plans with friends. Joking aside, I always struggled with conversation, not just memorizing random vocabulary.

5. What obstacle would have prevented you from signing up for BaseLang before?

I think fear holds us back. Maybe it’s the fear of yet another language tool not working, the fear of being embarrassed, the fear of making mistakes—or maybe it’s the fear of: what if I actually can do it?

6. What did you find as a result of signing up?

My fears started to fade after the first week. The curriculum and the incredible teachers made me feel relaxed and excited to learn. I could tell right away this program was different from everything I’d tried before.

7. What specific feature did you like the most about the Real World program?

I love knowing I’ll learn something new every single day and that I get real-world one-on-one practice with teachers from all over Latin America.

8. How has learning Spanish impacted your life?

Because of BaseLang, I’m becoming more confident every day in my new home of Puerto Rico. I’m able to live more fearlessly and explore all the local spots—not just the ones where English is common.

Back in June, after six months of classes, I took a solo drive around the entire island—stopping anywhere I wanted, not worrying whether people spoke English. I felt completely free. And I listened to the latest Bad Bunny album the whole way and actually understood a lot of it. Hey, Puerto Rican Spanish is hard—estoy intentando!

9. Would you recommend this course? If so, why?

I can’t stop talking about BaseLang to all my friends, both in the States and down here in PR. No matter if you live in a Spanish-speaking country or not, there’s something magical about learning a new language. It wakes my brain up every day in a way that probably hasn’t happened since I was a kid in school.

And as a corporate communications professional, learning a second language has actually made me better at my job. I’ve always prided myself on being a clear, succinct writer, but learning Spanish has made my writing even sharper. After 170+ classes, I can confidently say this has been one of the best decisions of my adult life.

10. Complete the sentence: “After my first month of BaseLang, I realized that…”

This is it. I’m really learning Spanish, and one day I’m actually going to be fluent!

11. Anything else to add (advice for other students, what you wish you had known, etc.)

On one hand, I wish I had done this 10 years ago. But on the other hand, I’m really glad that in my 40s, I’m proving to myself that I can still learn a new language and that it’s never too late to make my dreams come true.

We talk a lot about chasing dreams when we’re young, but somewhere along the way, that conversation quiets down. We stop encouraging people in their 40s, 50s, 60s to dream out loud. Maybe it starts to feel silly or self-indulgent. But I think it’s powerful to keep talking about our dreams, no matter our age.

Twenty-year-old Bryant would be in awe that I’m living abroad, speaking the local language, and having the biggest adventures of my life.