Can Learning Spanish Deepen Your Connection with a Local Community?

From the Desert Trails to Spanish Tales: Carolyn Huber’s Language Adventure

For Carolyn Huber, learning Spanish was about more than vocabulary, it was about belonging. Splitting her time between Washington and La Ventana, Mexico, Carolyn found that language was the key to deeper community connection. After years of trying apps and classes with little success, her Spanish journey truly began when she joined Spanish55 and started lessons with Coach Atenea. In this article, discover how personalized online Spanish lessons helped Carolyn turn everyday interactions, from the fish market to her favorite trails, into meaningful, confidence-building conversations.

Carolyn Huber’s love for language has always been shaped by movement. As an entrepreneur dividing her time between the serene landscapes of Washington's Columbia River Gorge and the sun-soaked deserts of La Ventana, Mexico, Carolyn’s story is one of curiosity and connection.

Her first brush with Spanish came in high school, but it wasn’t until she immersed herself in the vibrant community of La Ventana that she truly committed to mastering the language. "Living in La Ventana, I realized how important it was to communicate with the local community," Carolyn shares. She had tried apps, group classes, and podcasts but never felt like she was advancing enough to hold real conversations.

"I wanted to connect with people here on a deeper level," she says. It wasn't until she started taking lessons with Spanish55 that her progress truly took off. "Spanish55 and Coach Atenea changed that entirely," she explains.

Carolyn’s background in French has given her an edge, though it also comes with its quirks. "Sometimes I accidentally pronounce things with a French accent," she laughs. "Atenea is quick to catch that, though. She’ll say, 'That sounded a little French,' and we’ll work on it." With over a year of lessons and more than 50 classes under her belt, she credits Atenea for tailoring lessons that feel personal and practical. "What I love most is how she makes the lessons about me—my life, my interests," Carolyn says. "If I mention that I didn’t sleep well or had a great bike ride, we work that into the lesson. It feels like I’m practicing real conversations I’ll actually have. That’s been a game changer." Atenea also brings local flavor to the classroom, teaching Carolyn colloquial phrases that make her sound less like a textbook and more like a true neighbor.

From chatting with her fishmonger about the day’s catch to connecting with new friends at the ice cream shop, Carolyn is seeing her language skills blossom in real time. One of her proudest moments came recently when she struck up a lively conversation at her favorite fish market in La Ventana.

"We talked, laughed, and I realized I was having a full conversation in Spanish. It was a little thrill to know I could really communicate."

Carolyn admits that learning Spanish hasn't always been smooth sailing. "There are days when I feel like I’m not getting anywhere and get really frustrated," she says. "But then I'll have a breakthrough—a great session with Atenea or a meaningful conversation in town—and it all clicks again. It's such a fulfilling experience." These moments of connection—whether during lessons or in her daily life—keep her motivated to push through the tough times. 

Her advice to others learning Spanish? "Stick with it. Progress doesn’t always feel linear, but it’s happening. It’s so fulfilling."

Music has also played a big role in Carolyn’s language journey. "I love listening to Spanish music—Bad Bunny, Manu Chao, and playlists featuring Mexican artists," she says. "I’ll try to figure out the lyrics and translate them. It’s a fun way to build vocabulary and immerse myself in the culture." Combined with her lessons and daily interactions, this approach has given her language skills a multifaceted boost.

Through learning Spanish, Carolyn has discovered much more than words. "I’ve come to understand the culture here better. Everyone is so kind and excited when I try to speak Spanish—they're patient, helpful, and genuinely happy to engage. It's shown me how meaningful language can be in building relationships." Reflecting on her progress, Carolyn credits her coach and the Spanish55 team for their unwavering support. "Atenea is an incredible coach—smart, patient, and fun to learn with. I honestly couldn’t have come this far without her," she says. She's also quick to thank the entire Spanish55 community for creating an environment where learning feels approachable and rewarding.

As Carolyn continues to explore the dunes of La Ventana on her mountain bike and hone her kiteboarding skills, her Spanish journey unfolds naturally alongside her active lifestyle. With each conversation, whether on a mountain bike, at the fish market, or anywhere else life takes her, Carolyn is turning language into a passport for adventure, connection, and unforgettable, and new, moments.

Want to hear more from Carolyn?
Listen to her full story on our podcast, Conquering Spanish: Interviews with Learners, where she talks about the real-life moments, mindset shifts, and language breakthroughs that have defined her journey in La Ventana and beyond.