> Trust me, you're being judged (fairly, imo) a lot more harshly for living somewhere for a decade and not even bothering to learn the local language.
I had 2 years in Goethe institute. And had lessons 2 times a week at work. Kept a handbook at all times with vocabulary to repeat it in the subway. And mingled with German people to escape the expat bubble.
I'm in B1 in German standards.
But that's precisely the same judgement of "not even bothering" I normally get. After so much of that, after 3 years I just gave up.
I had 2 years in Goethe institute. And had lessons 2 times a week at work. Kept a handbook at all times with vocabulary to repeat it in the subway. And mingled with German people to escape the expat bubble.
I'm in B1 in German standards.
But that's precisely the same judgement of "not even bothering" I normally get. After so much of that, after 3 years I just gave up.