Hello everyone, this is Sam checking in one last time from Buenos Aires! My time here has come to a close, so I thought I’d share some reflections on my study abroad experience as a whole.

I arrived in Buenos Aires in February to study with both local Argentine students and other international students, and to live with a wonderful host family. I’ve learned many things throughout this process, inside and outside of the classroom, about the world and most importantly about myself. One of the lessons I’ll be taking away from my time in Argentina is to be open to new experiences and to different kinds of people. 

Part of learning this lesson, for me, was learning to let go of the fear of embarrassment and failure that has kept me from doing so many things in my life. We all embarrass ourselves every single day, but maybe it’s unique to our generation—always within reach of a cell phone or some other device to document one another’s shortcomings—to let this fear hold us back. My time in Argentina taught me that it’s impossible to live in another country, especially one that speaks another language, without embarrassing yourself daily. But who cares? Often those embarrassing moments or times when you’re forced to ask a stranger for help lead to new friendships or strengthen your ties to your community. (Example: I’m getting back on my feet after falling on top of the woman in front of me on the bus; we start talking and realize she’s also from the U.S. and had moved to Argentina over 8 years ago). 

I mainly learned to be open from my host family, who opened their arms to me and the other students living in the house. Without them my experience would have been completely different. Not only did they give me recommendations and tips to help me through the adjustment, they made me feel like I was part of their family. I’ve inserted some photos from my host brother’s 24th birthday party a few weeks ago, which all the extended family came to.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this program and any other study abroad program to students considering going abroad in the future. Most of all, I’d recommend living with a host family, even if it makes you a little nervous or uneasy. I’ll forever hold Nati and Lauti in a special place in my heart, together with the rest of my memories from my time in Argentina.