Week one is done. I seriously can’t believe it! Eight days ago, I landed in Buenos Aires, met my host family, and was quickly introduced to the city I’d be calling home for the next five months. Now, I’m a regular Porteño (name used to describe residents of Buenos Aires), speaking Spanish and navigating the city with ease…haha, well not exactly. This first week has definitely had it’s ups and downs, but I’m excited to keep exploring, growing, and bettering my Spanish language.
Highlights from Week #1
Classes: After a quick orientation on Tuesday, June 24th with USAL (Universidad del Salvador) staff and the other students that are here abroad, classes began! Monday through Friday we have class from 130-545 (yes, four hours is kind of long). It includes a mix of Spanish grammar, conversation, Argentinian culture, and literature…and only one 15 minute break. Besides the fact that my brain is still in summer mode, I find the course enjoyable and very helpful.
Transportation: BA is a HUGE city. I have grown accustomed to either walking or taking the D line on the subte (Argentinian subway) everywhere. Granted I haven’t traveled very far, so soon I’ll have to expand my comfort zone… Yay! Can’t wait.
Outings: As a class, we took a day trip to an estancia (which is the name for a field outside the city where gauchos-Argentinian cowboys-live). There we got to ride horses, sip mate (Argentinian tea), eat plenty of meat, and watch a traditional show put on by the gauchos and their horses. Definitely my favorite day here so far!
Familia: My host mom, Marite, is actually spending the next month traveling around Europe (espero que tengas un buen viaje!!) but my host brother, Martin (or Mama Martin as Ingrid and I call him), has been great to have around and is the best cook!! We look forward to our dinners each night with him.
My big conclusion after 8 days
You might think it corny, but I have learned a lot in just one week of living abroad. I’ve chosen my motto to be:
No regrets, just lessons. No worries, just acceptance. No expectations, just gratitude.
I don’t regret losing my luggage…I gained some life experience. I didn’t expect to be living with Ingrid from Norway…but now I’ve got a big sister. The already extensive list of things I’m grateful for here in Argentina will continue to grow and I’m content with just sitting back and enjoying the ride.
Until next week…
Besos!
Haylie
This week I learned:
how to properly dispense soda water without spraying it all over the table and the stranger next to me (here, one has to specify agua con gas or agua sin gas when ordering of glass of water)
that sitting in a cafe for three hours sipping a “cafecito” (small cup of coffee) is completely normal and actually encouraged…even though it may make me anxious
that I am Argentina’s newest #1 fútbol fan…Make sure to watch the championship game between Argentina and Chile this Saturday (4th of July)!
how to use and read military time
