Alumni Interview with Kaitlyn Greta

What inspired you to go abroad?

I wanted to go abroad because I wanted to grow and challenge myself. I knew that living in a foreign country, where I do not speak their language fluently, and  living with people I do not know would force me to become more independent and learn more about myself. Observing how other people live their lives makes you reflect on your own patterns and routines. Studying abroad is not easy, but you come back re-energized and ready to face obstacles. Your world perspective completely changes. I wanted something new in my life to prompt these impactful changes, and it did just that.

Why did you choose IES Abroad?

I chose this program because it had everything I wanted in a study abroad program. First, the length was perfect: 6 weeks. For me, that was enough time to explore the city and live abroad for the first time, but still short enough where I would not miss home too much. The program also had pre-planned activities, which is something I wanted in order to add structure to my life abroad. Most importantly, this program focused primarily on learning the language and culture. I wanted to study abroad in order to improve my Spanish speaking skills, and also observe how other people live and experience their worlds. This program was heavily focuses on my two main objectives for studying abroad.

What was your favorite part about Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires, for me, is the city that never sleeps. The city itself has so much energy. People are starting to eat dinner at 11 p.m., even midnight on weekends. That is wild. At home, I eat dinner at 5 sometimes. Buenos Aires is a special city, very influenced by Europe. When I lived there for 6 weeks, I had endless energy, and I was open to anything. I know that was the influence of the city on me. I loved living right in the middle of a bustling city. I loved how people went to cafés everyday. I loved how Argentinians love to socialize and love meals because it is a chance for them to talk with their loved ones. They want to talk for hours and leave their phones behind.

What made your experience abroad unique?

The variety of activities that I did exposed me to many different aspects of Buenos Aires, which I think is unique. Every city is extremely different—they all have different pros and cons. I saw rugby matches, tango shows and other modern dance shows, live drumming, and so much more. Visiting the different cultural districts of Buenos Aires, such as Barrio Chino and Once, exposed me to how people of Asian and Jewish ancestry live in Buenos Aires. Those cultural relationships are different in every place. Buenos Aires itself makes any study abroad experience there unique. It is truly the Paris of Latin America as Argentinians love to say.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The local staff supported me tremendously throughout the program. They would have check in meetings with the group to make sure our classes and homestay were going well. Anytime we would ask for restaurant recommendations, they would respond with lists and lists. From start to finish, I knew that they wanted me to succeed and have an amazing study abroad experience. The students are truly their number one priority and you can feel it.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I wish I would have spent more time with my host family. I had dinner with them most days of the week, but outside of that I did not really see them. I loved my host family, and it would have been nice to explore Buenos Aires with them as well.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

You have class in the morning from 9-12, and then you have a 2 hour lunch break from 12-2 where you walk around a find a place to eat, or bring food from home. You have another class from 2-4. You are free from 4 until your host family has dinner, which is usually anytime between 8 and 10. This is the time that you plan on your own, such as going to a different district in Buenos Aires or finding a park to relax in. After dinner, you usually do homework for the next day or if it is Friday or a weekend you might go out with your friends.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

I loved exploring the city! I went to cafés with friends, visited different neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, shopped, ate, enjoyed the parks, and much more. I loved planning a new adventure every day after class and using the public transportation to get there. Doing my homework in a café was serene and sipping café con leche on a park bench, chatting, was amazing. I loved taking every opportunity to do something new. I loved visiting Tigre, a neighborhood outside of the city of Buenos Aires. I was open to going anywhere in my free time and that is an important mindset.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

I lived in a homestay with my host mom, her granddaughter, and their in-house maid. I loved how I had independence and my own room in a different section of the house. I was able to make it home for 6 weeks. I loved talking with my host family over homemade meals and seeing what their day to day lives were like. It was a great accommodation.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

Every participant should know that they have to take initiative on this program to explore. I think some people found themselves bored at times since our days were not booked from start to finish. They felt this way because they did not seek out opportunities on their own. That is extremely important when studying abroad. You get out of the experience what you put in. Take those long walks to a site in Buenos Aires, wait in those lines to get in to the café, and experience the city around you. Plan your own outings and use all the free time you have. Do not feel confined because you have class during the day—there is so much time after class, and before dinner to do something fun.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

My time abroad has impacted me tremendously. I am much more independent and I appreciate being by myself more. I realize the importance of self-reflecting as I lived in a different world for 6 weeks. I also came back re-energized to explore my own city on my own and visit the tourist attraction sights. After coming back, I know the importance of getting outside of my bubble and seeing what the world has to offer. There are so many places out there just waiting for you to explore them; the opportunities are truly endless ever since I got back.

Would you recommend IES Abroad to others? Why?

I would highly recommend this program to others because it has a perfect balance between planned activities and free time. The staff at IES truly care about you and want you to have a great experience. It is a perfect amount of time, and Buenos Aires is an amazing city that I have trouble describing in words.