Coming to Vienna with no prior German language experience, I found the language barrier to be overwhelming at first, I found easy concepts such as going shopping and ordering food extremely difficult, and I often shied away from ordering food or getting something different from somebody else in cafˇs and restaurants.  However, I began to get more comfortable and began to pull up some key German phrases, I just wanted to be more independent and order on my own again; I was sick of feeling helpless.  Therefore I mustered up the courage to try even if I didn't succeed.  I really am not afraid anymore to walk into a store alone or order something in a restaurant, I think when I get home I will be so much more confident in my own country since I know the language and will be able to get what I want and not shy away as much much more easily.