I cannot believe I will be in the United States tomorrow. After living in Buenos Aires, I have definitely made some self-discoveries.
Here is a list:
1. I am not supposed to live in a big city.
Buenos Aires has 3 million people. It was just too big for me. There was many times where I did not feel in control of the city, in fact the city had control of me. But I think it is important to learn that now than after college when I am deciding where to live. I can honestly say I will never live in New York City.
Buenos Aires has 3 million people. It was just too big for me. There was many times where I did not feel in control of the city, in fact the city had control of me. But I think it is important to learn that now than after college when I am deciding where to live. I can honestly say I will never live in New York City.
2. Ann Arbor is the right place for me.
I always felt at home at Michigan’s campus, but I took Ann Arbor for granted. Now that I have lived in a huge city I am so glad I chose University of Michigan because it is a college town. At one point when I visited Pittsburgh, I asked myself how come I never explored the idea of a city campus? Now I feel like a city will be a better experience post-grad. I think its especially important to be 21.
I always felt at home at Michigan’s campus, but I took Ann Arbor for granted. Now that I have lived in a huge city I am so glad I chose University of Michigan because it is a college town. At one point when I visited Pittsburgh, I asked myself how come I never explored the idea of a city campus? Now I feel like a city will be a better experience post-grad. I think its especially important to be 21.
3. Patience with someone learning a language.
Before study abroad I was definitely less tolerant of someone who did not know English when they lived in the United States. Now that I have experienced this feeling I cannot believe I was so impatient. Learning a language is extremely hard! I also enjoy hearing people speak English the way they speak Spanish because I KNOW I do that with my Spanish. For example, someone will ask how are yours fathers because padres = parents in Spanish.
Adding on to that I realized I never understood cliques of students at Michigan that would just stick together because they were from the same home country. Now I completely understand wanting to stick with your comfort zone and your first language. I made some local friends, but overall the majority of the friends I made were American. Something really bonds you about experiencing a new place together. We also experienced the same challenges with the language barrier.
Before study abroad I was definitely less tolerant of someone who did not know English when they lived in the United States. Now that I have experienced this feeling I cannot believe I was so impatient. Learning a language is extremely hard! I also enjoy hearing people speak English the way they speak Spanish because I KNOW I do that with my Spanish. For example, someone will ask how are yours fathers because padres = parents in Spanish.
Adding on to that I realized I never understood cliques of students at Michigan that would just stick together because they were from the same home country. Now I completely understand wanting to stick with your comfort zone and your first language. I made some local friends, but overall the majority of the friends I made were American. Something really bonds you about experiencing a new place together. We also experienced the same challenges with the language barrier.
4. I am not a fan of the Latin American lackadaisical lifestyle.
In the beginning some of the students really enjoyed how everyone was late and argentines have no sense of time. There was less pressure to be somewhere. But this is not for me. While I agree Americans can be extremely type A, they are extremely efficient. As my professor would always say – “This is NOT IES Switzerland.” I do not enjoy waiting 20 minutes in the grocery line for 15 items or less. I do not enjoy when the bus I need just doesn’t show up for 20 minutes and when it does it is too full to stop for new riders. I hate having to hassle a waiter to bring me a check.
In the beginning some of the students really enjoyed how everyone was late and argentines have no sense of time. There was less pressure to be somewhere. But this is not for me. While I agree Americans can be extremely type A, they are extremely efficient. As my professor would always say – “This is NOT IES Switzerland.” I do not enjoy waiting 20 minutes in the grocery line for 15 items or less. I do not enjoy when the bus I need just doesn’t show up for 20 minutes and when it does it is too full to stop for new riders. I hate having to hassle a waiter to bring me a check.
5. Argentina has some of the coolest places to visit in the world. Between Patagonia, Iguazu Falls, Salta, and Mendoza, I would definitely say Argentina is worth a visit. I can honestly say I want to go back to Patagonia in my life. I never made it Bariloche. I also wouldn’t mind seeing the Chilean Patagonia.
6. If I can navigate Buenos Aires, I can get around anywhere. For some who has NO sense of direction, going to a new, big city is extremely hard. By the end I successfully used the subway, buses, and could pretty much get home from anywhere if I knew where Santa Fe Ave was (my north star). I even started to pick up when cab drivers were taking me for a ride.
My last weekend in Buenos Aires was very nice. I went to a parilla with my host family. I wanted authentic Argentine cuisine before leaving and what better food to eat then MEAT. I will miss that food.
It was extremely hard to see goodbye to my host family. I could not have asked for a better family. We had a tearful goodbye. The main reason I am upset is because I honestly have no idea when I will see them again. Mariana and I promised we would invite each other to our weddings.
For my last night out, Celine, Megan, Sam, and I went to Terrazas – our favorite boliche. I will definitely miss the insane nightlife. I have a feeling bars in Ann Arbor are going to feel a little lame after experiencing one of the most notable night life’s in the world.
On Sunday I spent the day with Pochochi. For some reason I really wanted to go La Boca for my last day. I have already been but I just love the colored houses. I feel like La Boca is the quintessential image of Buenos Aires. I bought Blancanieves also known as Snowhite. The book is in both Spanish and English. We also ate choripans because heaven forbid I leave Buenos Aires without one more choripan. They were also only 6 pesos ($1.50) and kind of hard to turn down. Any meat that cheap should be questionable.
Goodbye Argentina…nos vemos.
No comments:
Post a Comment