Testing my abilities

Over winter break I went to Japan on a special program, and one of the scariest (but also enjoyable parts) was going to a homestay with a family that lived in Northern Japan (in the Miyagi prefecture). When I first met with my homestay family, it was a bit of a bumpy start but after spending a day with them, doing fun things like going to visit shrines and visiting an aquarium, I realized that I was actually holding my own! After only 1.5 years taking Japanese at school, I was able to confidently (not fluently, but confidently) get my meaning across to someone who spoke no English and comprehend enough to hold a conversation :) I am amazed at how I was able to go to Japan after such a short period of time.