Argentina | Panthers Abroad
Buenos Aires, Argentina| Katie Hartman| Spring 2019 | Information Science and Technology
Why did you want to study abroad and to this location specifically?
Traveling and studying abroad is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I have always been inspired by my friends who studied in places like Bolivia, Brazil, or China, and I knew I wanted to experience something like that for myself. Another big factor in my decision was to learn a language surrounded by that language. I knew for certain that I wanted to study in Latin America — another region didn’t even cross my mind. I started to seriously consider Buenos Aires because they had an intensive Spanish program. The more I researched the city and the overall country, the more I wanted to be there. I was attracted to the art in the city, the eccentric European influence, and the huge country to explore.
In what ways was this country the most different from living in the U.S.?
Buenos Aires is just a little smaller than New York City, so the huge city life was my first big adjustment compared to Wisconsin. Taking public transportation is basically one of the only ways to get around the city, so I was forced to learn the very complicated world of subways and buses. However, once I learned the system it was extremely convenient and efficient. On the broader scale, Argentina suffers from one of the highest inflations in the world right now. The economy played a huge role in my daily life. The coffee that I drank everyday had fluctuating prices, there were protests everywhere, and it was always the biggest topic of conversation. This made me have a greater appreciation for the stable economy we have in the U.S. Finally, the last major difference I noticed was the relaxed atmosphere. For example, Saturdays and Sundays are spent in parks and museums with family and friends rather than in crowded grocery stores and libraries.
What did a typical day look like for you?
Argentinians tend to have a later start to the day, so typical work/school days start around 10. From there I spent the day at my university in a small classroom of about 11 other people. In class, it was all in Spanish for the whole five-hour class period. After class was over, I usually spent the afternoon exploring the city with the other students my class. We went to coffee shops, parks, and museums. After that, the Spanish all day made me exhausted, so I usually took a small nap. Finally, anywhere between 9–10 PM, my four other roommates and I would eat dinner with our host mom.
How much did this trip impact your educational experience and in what ways?
When I returned, it was as if I was seeing the United States for the first time. It made me see things clearer and differently. Before I left for Argentina, I was confused about what I wanted to do with my career. However, experiencing the cultures of numerous Latin American countries, the answer became clear. I would like to incorporate the Spanish I learned with my original field of study, Information Technology, in my future. Ideally, I would like to work for a company that has branches in Latin America.
What was your favorite memory from the trip?
My favorite week in Argentina was during a week-long break before Carnival. My roommates and I traveled about three hours south of Buenos Aires to Patagonia. We planned on going to three places while we were in that specific region, El Chalten, Ushuaia, and El Calafate. In El Calafate, we saw one of the only glaciers that is growing in size. We got so close to the glacier we could hear pieces breaking off. We then quite literally hiked the Patagonia logo. The mountain range that makes up the Patagonia logo is located in El Chalten. We woke up in the middle of the night and hiked through dusk. We made it to a viewpoint as the sun was rising. That morning was my favorite in Patagonia. Finally, we took a flight to one of the southernmost cities in the world, Ushuaia. In that city we saw penguins and other rare breeds of birds.
This could be you! Check out the options we have for studying abroad here. If you’re interested in learning more, the Center for International Education is located in Garland Hall, Room 138 or can be contacted at (414) 229–4846 and cie@uwm.edu.
