So one of the things that is making this experience even more powerful is that I am really trying to learn more Serbian. I know about 80 words and phrases and I'm trying to use them all the time. I don't think I would characterize Serbian as an easy language, but practice makes perfect.
I've also found this very cool website (free) that helps people learn a second language (not just Serbian) with assistance from native speakers. It teaches language backwards—not focusing on learning a new alphabet or grammar first, but starting instead with the basic goal of understanding the spoken language and being understood when using it.
Its a cool approach as you start to learn a new language; and it seems to be working for me here. Check out their site by clicking this link: Phrasebase™
