Middlebury School in Argentina

Living in another country for 5 months will almost inevitably change your worldview. To me, the culture in Argentina feels much more balanced and centered around what is important. People really prioritize relationships and spending time with friends and family. Also, the baseline level of kindness, warmth, and welcoming here is equivalent to someone especially extroverted and caring in the US. Healthcare and education are free, which I already knew, but really changes the day to day interactions of being in the University (the attitude around studying, the diversity of students who have access to the classes, etc). I am excited to try to take back and maintain a little bit of this priority shift that I feel I have gained for the better while being here and how I interact with the people in my life.

This program is not the typical study abroad program that you might imagine, with lots of US students hanging out and partying abroad. The language pledge, small group size, and minimal Middlebury programming pretty much forces the students to sink or swim in Buenos Aires. This made it tough for the first month or so, and it would have been helpful to have more programming and support in those early days. However, by the end of the program, all of us had found a community in Buenos Aires. It definitely felt like a more authentic experience, and my Spanish improved a ton because of the language pledge and making close friends with locals. So, I would say it definitely requires maturity and self-sufficiency, but if you do the work to integrate yourself into the community, it's incredibly worthwhile. If you are looking for a more cushy, gentle experience, this is not the program.

I felt very welcomed and at-home even before I arrived. After meeting the staff from Middlebury abroad in Argentina, I had all my questions answered, was provided with very useful information, and most importantly, was able to see many familiar faces upon arrival. My placement with a host family worked out splendidly; I still keep in contact with my Argentinian family and friends. I have met so many people that are special to me and have had multiple opportunities to connect with others in school, volunteer work, family activities, and personal hobbies. Argentina has a very rich and diverse culture: I learned something new every day, and thoroughly enjoyed my experience overall.