Study Abroad

Studying abroad is a transformative experience that offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a new culture, navigate unfamiliar landscapes, and learn something new through each interaction. During the fall semester of 2023, I had the privilege of going on a journey of academic and personal exploration in Córdoba, Argentina. Nestled in the heart of South America, Córdoba is a city steeped in rich history, vibrant traditions, and filled with wonderful people. This study abroad experience provided me with the chance to engage deeply with Argentine culture, enhance my language skills, and develop an understanding of the global community. In this reflection paper, I will share the impactful moments, cultural insights, and academic growth that defined my semester in Córdoba, offering a glimpse into the impacts of international education.

My personal experience abroad far exceeded my original expectations. Before leaving,

my goals included reaching conversational proficiency in Spanish, explore the natural beauties of Argentina, experience a new culture, and gain international work experience. To my delight, I am more conversational in Spanish than I thought was possible in five months. I have been able to linguistically improve more in five months than in the years of studying in the United States. Likewise, I have been able to ski and explore Patagonia, hike the deserts of the Salta Province and ride horses through the Andes Mountains. There have been so many moments of “awe” and gratitude to ground me while exploring. Another outcome of this trip included building meaningful relationships with locals, such as my Professor Pablo, and my host mother Ines. These relationships have changed my perspective on life, to live with more enjoyment, spend more time with friends, and appreciate the little things that life throws your way.

Finally, I was able to gain experience in the work place, as well as develop a beautiful relationship with my mentor Carina. Working internationally was an incredible experience because I was able to witness a different type of work enviornment. At my internship with software development company, Bitsion, I found that everyone in the office loved to stop in and chat about anything and everything. The office doors were always open and face to face communication on projects were extremely common. In the United States, I find that communication is commonly written in emails and rather impersonal. By having an open door policy, I felt like a part of the team and more appreciated as an employee. Likewise, barriers between CEOs and an employee did not exist. The CEO of the company invited us to lunch, constantly stopped by our office and loved to hear our presentations. These actions spoke volumes as to how welcoming and hospitable the Argentine work culture truly is. 

One part of Argentine business culture that I struggled to adapt to were the differences in punctuality. In the United States I always learned that fifteen minutes before a meeting was early, ten minutes before is on time, and on time is late. In Argentina, I found that time scheduling was merely a suggestion. There were many meetings that we had with various employees that occurred thirty minutes or even an hour after the scheduled time. I learned to let go of the frustrations of tardiness and be more forgiving and empathetic towards others. Overall, I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity and cultural experience. 

In the United States, I often find that people generally keep to themselves. We are a community with less physical touch and less curiosity about others. In Argentina, however, physical touch is extremely common and random people will stop you to ask where you are from and what you are doing in Argentina. One similarity I found between Argentina and the United States were sporting cultures. Soccer is deeply ingrained in Argentine culture, and the passion for the sport is palpable. Soccer matches are not just sporting events; they are social and cultural phenomena. Fans exhibit intense emotions, and the atmosphere in stadiums is electric. While this kind of passion for soccer does not exist in the United States, I find that American Football holds a similar level of importance American culture. At football games, you will see an amazing number of fans, extreme passion and cultural rituals. While American football and Argentine soccer hold their own unique style of  fans and sports appreciation, they are still both heavily intertwined with their respective country as a whole.

In Argentina, I also had my fair share of adversity to overcome as well. One day I was standing at the local bus stop waiting for the public transport in order to get to school. I was there with a friend from the program and there were to Argentine women standing off to the side waiting for the bus as well. In the blink of an eye, I see a “moto” or street bike, pull up to the stop and talk to the women. I quickly realized he was robbing them. The two Argentine women screamed and ran. In that moment, my fight or flight response chose to fight, and I stood my ground. He said he had a gun and was going to shoot me, but I didn’t register this sentence in Spanish until after the situation deescalated. I started to scream back at him, I was prepared to fight. After realizing I was going to be more trouble than he originally thought, he left.

Looking back, I am not ecstatic with the way I handled this situation, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t proud of myself. This incident left me extremely untrusting of Argentine streets, constantly one edge everywhere I walked. I wish I could say it stopped there. Two weeks later, I was sleeping alone at my house while my host mom went out to buy bread. I heard a commotion in the kitchen, and assumed it was my host mom. Ten minutes later, my host mother comes back and alerts me that we had been robbed. This incident seems to be less traumatic, given that I had no contact with the robber, however that was not the case. Now, I had no trust in the security of my house or the sidewalks. This mental battle was difficult to overcome for me. However, after plenty of exposure and confidence building, I was able to rebound mentally, and came back feeling stronger. 

Being profiled as a target for robbery was a jarring experience that challenged my sense of security and trust. It forced me to confront the harsh realities of crime and heightened my awareness of vulnerability. The incident prompted a deeper reflection on privilege and how one's identity can shape perceptions and treatment. As I navigated this situation, I became acutely aware of the privilege I carried, recognizing that others might not have the luxury of avoiding such incidents. In summary, the incident of being profiled as a target for robbery abroad significantly influenced how I think about myself and my relationship to society. It prompted reflections on privilege, resilience, and empathy.

In a foreign academic setting, I encountered an entirely new approach to education. From scheduling and class planning to the methodologies employed by professors, every aspect demanded adaptability. Studying literature in Argentina offered a unique perspective, allowing me to delve into literary works through the lens of an Argentine upbringing. This cultural immersion provided insights into societal nuances, historical contexts, and cultural references that enriched my understanding of the texts. The opportunity to learn and communicate in a new language was a transformative aspect of my academic journey. Conversing with locals, be it Uber drivers, parents, store clerks, or waiters, provided a firsthand look into the cultural narratives and personal stories of the Argentine people. The cultural immersion, linguistic challenges, and academic diversity contributed to the enrichment of my academic experience.

In conclusion, my study abroad experience in Argentina was nothing short of transformative, leaving a prominent mark on my personal and academic journey. The blend of cultural immersion, language acquisition, and academic exploration has broadened my horizons and shaped my perspective in ways that extend far beyond the boundaries of a traditional classroom.