Yesterday I started a language intercambio (exchange) through the U of Minnesota's TandemPlus program. They pair you up with a speaker of the language you want to learn or improve at (in my case Spanish). Then you meet for a couple hours a week and exchange languages.
My language partner is Ricardo from Mexico City. He lives in South Minneapolis and commutes to his job in Shakopee at what he called a hamburger and sandwich factory. He's here alone. His family is back in Mexico and he sends some of the money he earns here back to them.
He has been here 2 years and speaks very little English (or perhaps he was just embarassed to attempt it). It will be interesting to see how far I can bring him along in a few short hours per week.
