Memories made in Argentina

Hey! It’s Jordan back in the States. These past two weeks flew by, and I made so many lasting memories and friendships. My trip to Argentina with the Plus3 program was such an amazing experience that I will forever be talking about. From learning to dance to exploring markets to getting stuck overnight in the airport, I have definitely grown a lot. This trip challenged me to think outside of the box, and I really enjoyed this style of learning. Being on a trip where we were so focused on one topic really allowed me to immerse myself in it and ask questions. I learned so much about healthcare and professionalism, but most of all, I learned life skills that I will carry with me into my future.

To start off, I learned to collaborate with my peers on a level I’ve never had to before. I only knew one person going into the trip and left with 19 new close friends. I could not have asked for a better group to spend these two weeks with. We all meshed so well, and everyone is so different in the best way. I was nervous before the trip about having to be with new people for two weeks straight and hoped we would all get along. I now think that is one of the best and coolest ways to meet people. To go on a new adventure with someone and tackle the trip together makes the best bonds between friends. I couldn’t be more thankful for my friends, and they are one of the most valuable parts of this study abroad.

Another outside-of-the-classroom lesson I have learned is how important it is to put the effort in to learn others’ cultures and ways of living. As soon as we landed in Argentina, the language barrier was evident. Luckily, three of the girls on the trip are fluent in Spanish and were able to help everyone out, but the rest of us were pretty helpless without our Google Translate. I saw how relieved and happy it made the locals when the three girls would speak to them in Spanish and they wouldn’t have to be playing charades with us. I was amazed at how many people in Argentina also speak English and do it so well. I felt guilty for not giving that same effort to learn their language. This trip has really inspired me to pursue learning Spanish so that I can communicate with patients who cannot speak English in the hospital. Additionally, we learned some Argentinian traditions like drinking mate, greeting with a kiss on the cheek, and the large presence tango has in their entertainment culture. I already want to plan another trip to continue to immerse myself in the fascinating culture found in Argentina.

The final lesson I’ll be taking back with me from Argentina is how to travel abroad. The Plus3 program was my first time out of the country, and I would recommend it to anyone who has never been out of the country before. They did such a good job of helping us be independent and not overwhelmed with all the travel. I now feel comfortable going through customs, managing a foreign city, and flying internationally. We had issues getting home to the United States and ended up being pushed back a whole day of travel and spent about 12 hours in the airport. This was definitely rough, but I was so glad to have my group by my side and IES Abroad to help.

Overall, this trip has made me a new person with new perspectives. I have a broader understanding of the world, the cultures outside of the United States, and the struggles people face. I will forever love Argentina and how it gave me my first taste of going abroad.¡Chao!