Its a weird title i know... But let me start with my example!
Before i started learning, names were just names. Now being norwegian, i know that names can also have a deeper meaning like being a place name or a word for something else.
How interesting foreign languages were. Being brought up in England, I just thought words were, well words, but with Japanese, there are entire systems of conversation that make the language, just that more intriguing. I mean, over here, virtually everyone uses the same vocab in similar was, that just make conversation boring.
Although one aspect I haven't experienced yet is language used in friendships, haven't had a single friend irl. So maybe that's a bit different? Unsure tho
I guess in general I have learned things like how different languages are just totally different from, say English, like, in school everybody always said things like, "this is this way (in English) because otherwise it wouldn't make sense" (like with having spaces between words), but in other languages they don't do those things and it works just fine. Of course some things would only work in some languages, but the point learning another language really strengthens your grammar I think, even understanding the grammar of your native language (maybe not if it's one that has similar grammar to your native language's)
oh also I find it easier to say long words in English as while, since I get stressed because of all the letters mixed together I usually gusse what its saying instead of reading it, however with Japanese I find breaking down words alot easier and less stressful