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January 2025
January 2025
By far the most unique month of my YAGM year so far! My January was a mix of IELU summer camp in Misiones, spending time with friends, and traveling + exploring.
El Redentor - Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires
El Redentor - Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires
With no formal activities at church (aside from Sunday worship) until the school year starts again at the end of February, work at site was very chill this month – literally (I appreciated the AC amidst the hot summer days). Most of my time at site was spent working in the office looking up craft ideas for future Ligas and helping Erika organize and sort the church archives (not pictured). We also had a young adult dinner, which was a wonderful opportunity to gather all the young adults from the congregation and share pizza, drinks, laughter, and time together.
IELU Campamento de Verano - Oberá, Misiones
January 6—10, 2025IELU Campamento de Verano - Oberá, Misiones
The IELU (Iglesia Evangélica Luterana Unida en Argentina y Uruguay // United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina and Uruguay) hosts a summer camp for youth ages 13—18 each January in Oberá, Misiones. Our YAGM cohort was invited to participate, which was an amazing experience! I loved my summers working at camp during university, and being able to experience camp as part of my YAGM year wasn't something I had anticipated. Spending time with youth from the IELU doing activities, games, crafts, and just having deep conversations about life filled my heart so much and I'm so incredibly grateful!!
"Let God transform you."
YAGM volunteers are obligated to take two to three weeks of vacation during their year (depending on the country program and site placement) to provide the opportunity to experience more of their host country, as well as to help combat burnout! January is the dead of summer in Argentina and Uruguay, making it the easiest time to take vacation as school is closed for summer and others are also taking vacation.
Cataratas de Iguazú - Puerto Iguazú, Misiones
January 2—5, 2025Cataratas de Iguazú - Puerto Iguazú, Misiones
As a cohort, we traveled to Puerto Iguazú along the Argentina-Paraguay-Brazil border. We spent some time exploring the city, but most of our time was spent in the national parks of the Cataratas de Iguazú, or Iguazú waterfalls. They were absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, and pictures don't do them justice.
Colonia del Sacramento & Montevideo, Uruguay
January 17—28, 2025Colonia del Sacramento & Montevideo, Uruguay
I spent most of my vacation solo-traveling in Uruguay, spending a weekend in Colonia del Sacramento before bopping over to Montevideo for a little over a week. As some of you might already know, I studied abroad in Uruguay while I was a student at PLU exactly two years ago (January 2023). With Montevideo being so close to Buenos Aires (a 2.5-hour ferry ride + 2.5-hour bus ride), I wanted to visit again. I appreciated the calmness and natural beauty of both Colonia del Sacramento and Montevideo – both welcome changes from the hectic busyness of Buenos Aires the past several months!
I spent the weekend in Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay before heading to Montevideo.
I had visited during my PLU study abroad trip to Uruguay, as well as at the start of YAGM Retreat #1, but both times had just been for a couple hours each. Having a full weekend to explore at my own pace was truly a blessing , as I appreciated just walking around Ciudad Vieja (the oldest part of the city!).
"The best things in life are shared."
I spent a little over a week in Montevideo, Uruguay, which was a combination of exploring new spaces and revisiting places I loved during my Uruguay study abroad.
Arriving in Montevideo felt like coming home in a way: not too much has changed in two years (some has!!) but immediately recognizing street names and locations brought a smile to my face. :)
During my time in Montevideo, I met up with the current PLU study abroad cohort since I had a friend in the class which kind of felt like a “when worlds collide” moment – reminiscing and reflecting on my month in Montevideo while spending time with them and hearing about their experience so far!
Dorothea, Giovanna (PLU professor) and I at dinner together - a wonderful opportunity to catch up and spend time together!
I also met up with Mitzy which was wonderful to catch up and see some of her favorite spots – we went to an observation deck with a 360° view of Montevideo which was absolutely unreal!!
December 2024
December 2024
By far the craziest, busiest month of my YAGM experience thus far. I'm thankful for the opportunity to experience Christmas in a new community and culture and help out with talleres de navidad.
El Redentor - Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires
El Redentor - Villa del Parque, Buenos Aires
December was a very full, busy month!! Work at my site this month looked like helping with preparing for talleres de navidad, as well as making tons of Christmas cookies. I also co-led a group of third graders with another young adult from the congregation, which was exciting to not only work with him but also to witness the kiddos' joy and excitement over all of the different activities. (faces censored for kiddos' privacy!)
Talleres de Navidad!
I loved getting to help with prepping craft supplies (like the popsicle stick nativity scenes, the ornaments, the cards in November, and others not pictured) and helping prepare all the Christmas cookie dough we needed for the 370(!!) kiddos to make Christmas cookies. As I went through talleres de navidad itself with my group of 28 third graders, it was fulfilling to see their excitement over the different stations, crafts, and activities. Although it was exhausting, my heart is so full and I am so thankful for being able to help out behind the scenes and alongside my kiddos.
Adventuring around Buenos Aires
Adventuring around Buenos Aires
Amidst the craziness of work and Christmas, I took some time to walk, recharge, and soak in the end of spring/ beginning of summer in Buenos Aires. Being able to see and experience new Christmas traditions with my German housemates and Argentinan friends has also been a highlight this month.
Christmas looked a little different this year, but I'm grateful to experience Christmas in a new country, culture, and climate with new friends, community, and traditions. 🎄
I got to spend New Year's with my supervisor and his family which was a wonderful experience! Lots of community, conversation, laughter, and celebration.
📍 Parque El Rosedal - Palermo, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires' rose garden is home to 93 different rose types! I visited with a friend on the first day of summer, and it was so lovely to see all the roses in bloom and the wide range of colors and types there are.
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