My wife lived in a foreign country for 3 months (as an exchange student) before the family told her that was enough and refused to use English.

Your experience is common. However it is mostly a reflection on you and your situation. You could have picked the language up much faster if you tried.

Note that I'm not intending to judge you. It is likely you have a life and other things to do with your time. Only you can figure out what is the right time balance for you (though once in a while something happens that would make you regret your decision)

No worries - I was exaggerating for comic effect. I don't speak the local language like a local, but I do do it all day at work.

I often wish the locals here would refuse to use English, but I enjoy speaking other foreign languages when I get the chance, so I understand when they want to do the same.