I can’t believe it, but I’m already halfway through my Plus3 program in Buenos Aires, Argentina! It’s been a busy but very exciting and informative week. We’ve attended lectures on the Argentine healthcare system by people who have worked or are currently working in that sector, visited public and private hospitals, and explored the city! I’ve learned so much about not only the Argentine healthcare system, but also the culture of the country, the tricks of navigating a foreign city, and so much more.

One of the biggest cultural differences I have noticed between the US and Argentina can be summed up in one word; solidarity. Unlike in the US where we have a very individualistic meritocracy that breeds competition, Argentinians almost universally feel an obligation to contribute to the common good of all people. This can be seen very clearly in the public hospital system, where conditions and pay are much worse than in the private sector. From the American perspective, it makes no sense to work in the public sector. However, many doctors and nurses here have told us that the ability to give back to a less fortunate population is what drives them to show up everyday and perform at a very high level despite their sometimes limited resources. They also mentioned that although the physical environment may not be the best, the interpersonal environment is very strong and rooted in everyone helping each other. This difference is really incredible to see in action, and I hope that in some way this experience will give me the ability to transfer this solidarity back to the states and to my future coworkers.

Another major difference is the pace of life. In Argentina, even walking down the street is slower, and running is strongly discouraged. This can again be observed in the health system, where up until recently, hospitals did not perform surgeries on Fridays and usually ended after 2pm on weekdays. This is obviously very unusual coming from the US where we pack procedures in as much as we can. In a more normal social context such as dinner, the pace is also much slower. Dinner typically starts at around 8pm, and can go up until midnight. In my experience, it usually takes ten to fifteen minutes to receive a menu. After you have picked out what you want, you will most likely have to wave down your waiter to order. The wait for food is very dependent on where you go, but at a sit down restaurant it can be anywhere from thirty minutes up to an hour. However, most restaurants will provide you with bread and oil. Once you have finished your food, there is no one rushing you out of the restaurant like there would be in the US. You are free to talk with friends for as long as you want, enjoying the conversation and company. I really enjoy this aspect of Argentine culture. Life in general feels much more relaxed and focused on human connection. Something we learned early on is that Argentinians will often ask you very personal questions when you first meet them. Here, really getting to know the people is much preferred to small talk.

Because our program is different from a typical study abroad where you take classes and live long term in location, it’s difficult to compare my typical days to those back at home. However, in terms of environment, it is very much the same and different simultaneously. Being in the downtown area of Buenos Aires, some parts remind me of American cities like Boston or even Pittsburgh, but by just turning a corner, it can seem like you were just transported to France, Italy, or Spain. There is an incredible variety of architecture in the city, making every street feel completely unique. The bustle of the city is no different from places back home (the slower pace of life does not seem to extend to drivers), and the open doors of cafes and markets are an inviting break from the noise. Almost every street is lined with cafes and restaurants serving all types of food, from Argentinian to Italian and even Korean, there is no shortage of options in the city. Walking through the various neighborhoods, it seems as though almost every block has a statue commemorating a hero of Argentine history, often towering above a beautiful square or park. While being a very dense city, Buenos Aires manages to offer a myriad of green space. Even apartment balconies are often covered in plants. The whole experience so far has been very fulfilling on many different levels, and I can’t wait to continue to learn and grow in the next week!