Studying Abroad in Argentina

My STEP Signature Project was an education abroad trip to Argentina. While in Argentina, I spent most of my time exploring the museums and metropolitan life of Buenos Aires, but I also had the opportunity to visit a beautiful town in the Andes known as Salta. Throughout my travels I learned all about the history of Argentina — from pre-Colombian times to the political atmosphere that is felt today.

Being in Buenos Aires feels a lot like being in New York City, so it does not necessarily feel like being in a foreign country, until upon realizing that everyone is speaking Spanish. Having the chance to visit the Northwest of Argentina, Salta, was one of the most transformational experiences of this trip. Being in the middle of the Andes and experiencing the desert landscape was breathtaking and made me understand a lot about myself, as well as the world around me.

For me, this transformational experience took place during a short hike through one of the most colorful parts of the Andes. The landscape was so surreal that there were moments where I was almost certain some of the mountains were fake. As we ascended to the top of a hill, I did a 360 degree spin, taking in my surroundings (after catching my breath from the high altitude, of course). The only thing I could think of in that moment was just how large and beautiful Earth is. It also made me realize that traveling and experiencing new cultures is something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience.

The relationships I made with the twelve other members of my group are indescribable. Our nearly three week trip seemed so quick, yet we managed to build a small family in that short amount of time. The friendships and connections made with both the students and the faculty are something that will remain for a lifetime. Traveling abroad is a great way to create such connections because there is a lot of exploring, getting lost, and trying new foods.

A small group of us spontaneously decided to go to a concert, with music entirely in Spanish, on one of our first nights in Argentina. This was one of the most exciting things that I took part in during my time abroad. We had to find the venue by ourselves, I had to purchase the tickets using Spanish, and we had an amazing night listening to a new band. Utilizing free time abroad can lead to great experiences and new friends, and also creates a sense of independence.

Being in Argentina was also transformational in an educational sense. Even though Spanish speaking skills were not required, I was able to utilize and practice my Spanish in realistic situations outside of the classroom. Since no Spanish was needed to participate on this trip, I was often needed as a translator for my fellow travelers that did not know the language well. Speaking is one of the hardest aspects of learning a foreign language, so this was a fantastic way to do so without the pressures of perfecting everything.

Being independent and using my Spanish skills in real life situations will be greatly beneficial to my academic and professional goals. I am a Spanish and Latin American Studies double major, so experiencing a Latin American country first hand will give me more insight into what countries, like Argentina, are like. After undergrad, I would like to attend law school in order to become an immigration lawyer, specifically dealing with immigrants from Latin America. This education abroad trip has opened so many doors for me, while also providing me with an experience that I will never forget.

 

One thought on “Studying Abroad in Argentina

  1. Sounds like a great experience that gave you some real and practical skills for your future. Thanks for sharing!

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