I learned my Spanish by living 3 years in Nicaragua and then 6 months in Panama.....

How wonderful! I learned my Spanish as a high school student - studied the language for 6 years from age 12. I was fluent back then but, of course, due to lack of use, have forgotten so much. When I have been in Spain, the people I have spoken to told me that if I lived there, I would be fluent again within a matter of weeks.