Making myself understood is probably the way in that I have made the largest adjustment.  I think multiple things have brought true change about.  The largest however, is just not being so timid and having more confidence.  When I first got here just being totally out of my element never having gone to a foreign country all by myself.  It was a huge adjustment once I got over that through it was easier to be confident and get my point across.
I think this may cause me to be more assertive and to the point when I return home as well.