STUDY ABROAD

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Why Córdoba?

As part of the completion of my degree in Spanish Language and International Business, I had the opportunity to spend the Fall 2023 semester studying abroad in Córdoba, Argentina. Traveling to Córdoba was an beautiful, challenging, unforgettable journey that has profoundly impacted my personal, academic, and professional growth. As I reflect on my time spent there, I am filled with so much gratitude for the experiences I've had and the people I've met, as well as a sense of fulfillment from the difficulties overcome.

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While deciding which study abroad program to participate in, I knew my greatest goal for the experience was to push my Spanish language skills to as close to fluency as possible. I had already achieved an advanced level of Spanish before my trip, but wanted to choose a location that would force me out of my comfort zone and allow me to expand my cultural and linguistic boundaries in a unique way that could not be accomplished else where. I had never traveled to South America before and knew that spending several months in Argentina would expose me to a completely new culture and people, broaden my understanding of Hispanic culture and history, and challenge me to reach the level of Spanish fluency that I was searching for. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by Córdoba in every way, as well as immediately aware of the challenges I would face there.

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Travels, Classes, and Host Families

The hospitality and kindness I received from Córdoba's people, fondly referred to as the "Cordobeses," was beyond anything I had ever experienced. Rather than a stranger from abroad, I was treated like a long-lost friend by everyone I encountered. Whether it was sharing maté with my host parents, engaging in lively conversations with the barista at the local café, Casa Taza, or eating asado with friends, I felt welcomed and embraced by the community in every way. I fell in love with their sharp sense of humor and generous hearts, always open to sharing their culture through food and conversation. These interactions, especially within my host family, not only improved my Spanish language skills, but also broadened my understanding of Argentine customs and traditions. 

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The relationships I formed with both of my host parents, Anibal and Inés, are something I will carry with me forever and hopefully continue for the rest of my life. My host family warmly welcomed me into their lives and treated me like a daughter, sharing everything with me from their home to their closest friends. I also learned more of the Spanish language from the two of them than from anyone else I met. Anibal and Inés patiently corrected me whenever I made a mistake and introduced me to lots of  vocabulary and slang words I would never have learned without them. 

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Living in Córdoba also allowed me to explore the country's rich history and diverse landscapes. From the cobblestone streets of the city's historic center to the breathtaking beauty of the Sierras de Córdoba, each week brought something new. Weekend excursions to nearby towns such as Villa Carlos Paz and Alta Gracia provided insights into Argentina's colonial past and its indigenous heritage.  Travels to different provinces like Buenos Aires and Jujuy provided insights into its incredible cultural history. These experiences ignited my curiosity and deepened my appreciation the differences I encountered. 

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Academically, studying abroad in Córdoba presented its own set of challenges and rewards. Enrolling in courses at a local private university, Blas Pascal, exposed me to different teaching styles and academic perspectives. While navigating a new educational system in a foreign language was daunting at times, I found that it pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to embrace the learning process with an open mind. Engaging with Argentine professors not only enhanced my academic knowledge but also fostered meaningful cross-cultural exchanges. Our literature professor, Pablo, became a close friend of the class. I can say with certainty that the relationship we formed with him as a group had an incredible impact on our experience in Córdoba, and gave us invaluable insight into the history and significance of the literary and performative arts in Argentina.

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Learning Beyond the Classroom

Outside of classes, my time in Córdoba encouraged personal growth and self-discovery. Living independently in a foreign country taught me valuable life skills such as adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving. While I came into the experience with a variety of goals, navigating the struggles that came with living in Argentina during a time of economic crisis and political uncertainty brought a completely new meaning to the trip. Due to my own ignorance and lack of information provided, I was unaware before my arrival of how dangerous of an environment I would be in. Most of the instability around me was created by the shaky state of Argentina's economy and the tumultuous political and social atmosphere created by their November elections. I learned to embrace the positives of my new home while also dealing with the stress of my surroundings. I also fostered a new interest: the relationship between a country's economy, its election cycle, and its society in general. I began spending my time doing lots of research on the topic, and in one of my classes, used it as the subject for my final essay. I wrote a convincing discussion on how different political doctrines have fostered an economic spiral within Argentina.

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Developing a direct understanding of the unique ways Argentina's social, political, historical, and economic factors are interconnected brought me a new sense of cultural awareness. One of the most important aspects of this was learning how much Argentina's relationship with the United States has profoundly impacted them over the last 200 years. Almost all of the history I learned surrounding U.S. dealing with Argentina, and South America in general, I had never had the privilege to learn.  Beyond making connections between Argentine economy and politics, I also obtained a unique cultural perspective.

 

Argentine culture in Córdoba, like many other Hispanic cultures, is much more affectionate and laid-back than that of the United States. There are much lower boundaries regarding personal space or sharing personal information, but there is also more warmth, more kindness towards strangers, and more open friendships between people of different generations and age groups. It was not uncommon for someone to ask if you were in a romantic relationship very shortly after meeting you, or share close personal details of their own. It was also uncommon to walk into a store without the employees treating you like a long-lost friend they had known for years. 

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Looking back, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the transformative experience of studying abroad in Córdoba, Argentina. The memories I've made and the lessons I've learned will forever shape my worldview and influence my future endeavors. I carry with me not only cherished memories but also a renewed sense of curiosity, empathy, and cultural appreciation that will continue to guide me on my life's journey and career in the international sphere.