Courtesy of Davi Schulman
Major(s), Minor(s), center or pathway: English and Sociology majors, Latin American Studies minor, PICA
What program are you enrolled in: IES Abroad Buenos Aires: Latin American Societies and Cultures
Why did you choose this program?
Since I began learning Spanish through a bilingual program in kindergarten, I knew I wanted to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country in college. Specifically, South America intrigued me because it was a unique opportunity, and not many students choose to study there. IES Abroad Buenos Aires seemed like the perfect option on Connecticut College’s pre-approved program list; the courses align well with my interests, and Argentina is an incredible country to explore.
How have you adjusted to life abroad?
Adjustment to life abroad is a long process, and I don’t think I will ever fully adjust because I know my stay here is temporary. As with any new situation, there are ups and downs. The culture shock was more extreme than I expected, but it makes sense, considering I am living in a foreign language and am so far from home. Sometimes, I feel proud that someone asks me for directions and I know what to tell them, but sometimes I feel discouraged when I speak to a waiter in Spanish, and they proceed to hand me the English menu.
Were there any cliches that were proven true or false?
One common belief is that South America is unsafe; this may lead people to study abroad in Europe over South America. After living in the bustling city of Buenos Aires for a few months, I have come to the conclusion that it is no less safe than New York City (it may even feel safer). Like in any big city, it is important to always be aware and conceal your valuables when possible. I wear my backpack on my front and try to take out my phone as little as possible.
Another thing I heard before coming to Argentina was that everything would be super cheap for Americans. This was the case before I arrived, but the inflation gets worse every day. The cost of my laundry load increased by the equivalent of $4 within a week. Poverty is skyrocketing in Argentina, and it is difficult to witness. (One peso used to be equivalent to one US dollar, but now one peso is worthless, and one thousand pesos is the rough equivalent of one US dollar.)
Argentines are known for eating a lot of meat and drinking a lot of wine, and this is definitely true. My housemate and I had to nudge our host parents to serve vegetables/salads with dinner. Here, they eat the “brown diet”: empanadas, steak, milanesa (breaded meat cutlet), Diet Coke, and dulce de leche (of course, this is not all anyone eats, but these are essential Argentine foods, and they are all brown).
Finally, I was told to brace myself for the rapid, Italian-sounding accent with which Argentines speak Spanish. This is true, but I am gradually learning the nuances of the accent and some Argentine slang.
What is your housing situation? What is that like?
I live in a homestay with two host parents (a couple in their 70s) and another student from the US! We live in an apartment in the Recoleta neighborhood, a beautiful and safe area of the city. My housemate and I each have our own rooms and share a bathroom. Our host parents don’t impose on our lives or independence at all, but they are always there when we need them. They serve us breakfast every day and dinner five days a week. We all eat dinner together which is a really nice opportunity to practice our Spanish.
Living in a homestay was definitely the right choice because I feel so much more connected to the culture here. I have my host parents to help me navigate living in a new country and to provide the feeling of home while I am so far away from my family in New York. For my birthday, they put a candle in a lemon meringue pie and sang for me; they even gave me a gift– a beautiful blue leather wallet handmade by my host dad, who owns a leather business.
What is a typical day like? Is there anything similar to Conn? Is there anything very different?
A typical school day involves waking up around 8 am, eating the breakfast my host mom left out, and then taking the city bus to the IES Abroad center (about an 8-minute ride). I take three of my classes in Spanish and two in English. The IES classes are all for international students, and they feel pretty similar to the small discussion-based classes at Conn. In the morning, I have Spanish 401 and Argentine Literature, and then I have a break for lunch. I usually walk with a group of students to get lunch near the IES center. Empanadas are everywhere, and they are delicious but can get old if you eat them too often.
When I’m done with class for the day, I either walk or take the bus back to my homestay to relax and get some homework done. I get hungry around 5 or 6 pm when I would normally eat dinner at home, so I may stop by a cafe for a snack (coffee and pastry are a go-to). Here, 6 pm is coffee/tea/snack time (“merienda”), and dinner is eaten around 9 or 10 pm. This was certainly an adjustment for me. My host parents call us for dinner and we usually eat some kind of meat with potatoes, rice, and salad. Dessert consists of fruit or ice cream if we’re lucky (the ice cream here is amazing). My days feel very different from Conn’s because I have the entire city at my fingertips. Of course, I still need my alone time in my room, but I can go out and explore whenever I feel like it.
Are you involved in anything outside of classes?
I have attended some Shabbat dinners and other events at Hillel Buenos Aires, which was a nice reminder of my Hillel community at Conn. I also enjoy going to watch musical theater in the city (in Spanish)! I saw Legally Blonde and Dear Evan Hansen and am soon seeing Come From Away and Rent. I love seeing Broadway shows when I’m home in New York, and I am so glad I discovered the amazing theater district of Buenos Aires. I have an Argentine language partner who I sometimes go out with to explore the city and practice my Spanish while she practices her English. Also, for my Community-Based Learning Seminar (similar to PICA at Conn), I volunteer with a non-profit organization doing arts and crafts with children at a local hospital.
What is the best part about being abroad?
I am growing and learning so much about Argentina and myself. Studying abroad was something that I always imagined myself doing, but it was still a huge jump out of my comfort zone. I am proud of myself for making the leap and being open to new experiences. My Spanish is improving significantly, and I am broadening my perspective by immersing myself in a completely new culture.
What is the biggest challenge?
Homesickness and culture shock are the biggest challenges. For me, they come in waves throughout the trip. The waves were more intense at the beginning, but it’s not like the homesickness just goes away after the first few weeks and never comes back. I can be sitting at a restaurant with friends from my program and randomly be reminded of something I miss from home. I am lucky to be able to talk to my loved ones from home so often and even have them visit me.
What advice would you give to people preparing to go away?
If there’s a language that you know a little bit, take the leap and study abroad in a country that speaks the language! It may seem really scary, but there are students in my program who could barely speak Spanish at the beginning. They are taking beginner Spanish classes and other English classes and are learning so quickly because of the immersion. Living in another language really just expands your worldview, and I could not recommend it more. Also– if you have the opportunity to live with a host family, take it!
Studying abroad is a personal growth opportunity more than anything. Choose a country where you can see yourself thriving as an individual, not dependent on what anyone else tells you.
What is something you wish you had known that you know now?
Nothing could have truly prepared me for the culture shock, but I wish I had more reasonable expectations of my studying abroad experience. I have since adjusted them, but at first, I expected the life-altering experience that most people describe. Studying abroad is different for everyone. I am certainly glad I decided to jump out of my comfort zone and study abroad because I have learned and grown so much. Even though I would probably not jump at the opportunity to travel alone again for such an extended period of time, I would not know that if I had not tried. I do not regret my decision one bit and will value the time I spent abroad for the rest of my life.
