A year ago today I embarked on a journey to Argentina which forever changed my life. This past year I have shared my story with family, friends, and strangers alike. While some of the details in my story have changed to emphasize the truly important aspects of my journey, every time I share my experience - whether it was about visiting Iguazu Falls or learning to tango - the emotions embedded in my memories come rushing back. As I reflect on my travels, I want to highlight five important lessons I learned.
Imagine opening a glass security door and walking up to a teller behind a bullet proof window to exchange American currency for Argentine pesos. Not only do you lack a spanish vocabulary, you have absolutely no idea the current “blue dollar” exchange rate at this black market “cueva.” You then hand the teller your $100 bill expecting to receive about 800 pesos in return. As this sketchy and unfamiliar man behind the window reaches for a pile of bills, you notice the bills lack markings needed to be official currency. He hands you half the bills with the red mark down the left hand side of the bill and the other half without the needed red mark. The expression on his face is one con artists try to perfect. At this moment, you have two choices: simply agree and walk out the security doors as to not make a scene. Or, stand up for yourself and somehow demand real currency.
This was the situation I faced the second time I tried to exchange American currency for Argentine pesos. I decided to choose the second option and make a scene. Without uttering a word, I placed my index and middle fingers on the four fake 100 peso bills and assertively slid them back under the small opening in the bullet proof window. The man, now confused, looked up and shrugged his shoulders. Being as clear as I could, I said “Es, no bueno.” The tone of my voice combined with a deadly stare assured the man that I was serious. He reluctantly took back the fake currency and issued me real pesos. To add insult to injury, I asked, “¿Donde esta, Frenando?” (Where is Fernando?) because I knew, from prior conversations with a trusted American, Frenando owned the cueva. The teller’s face dropped and his eyes widened as he pointed to the back of the store. I grinned and just walked away.
I learned a valuable lesson that morning: you must stand up for yourself when someone else is trying to take advantage of you. Not only did I gain an additional 400 pesos of real currency, I gained self confidence by preventing this guy from pocketing my money.
2. Walking and using public transportation is not such a scary thing.
Having grown up in southern California where everyone has a car, the idea of walking to the store, getting in a cab, or even using the metro was foreign. When I exited the EZE airport terminal and walked to my taxi, I felt comfortable - and jet lagged. The adrenaline soon kicked in when I realized my “professional driver” was a road rage maniac and my life could be in jeopardy. This moment solidified my views on the need for my own car so I could be in control.
After getting lost and finding my way back to my residencia a few times with the use of the metro, I realized how living in a large city could be easy and enjoyable. The experience in Buenos Aires made adjusting to the metro system in Washington, DC (I traveled to, and lived in, DC a few months later) so much easier. I had conquered traveling in a foreign country where the metro stops were, obviously, in spanish. I learned to be acutely aware of my surroundings and personal property. While these skills were not used as often in DC, having them allowed me to adjust more quickly to my new environment.
I felt like I was thrown to the wolves when first directed to find my way home to the residencia by way of public transportation. However, I now have the confidence in myself to use public transportation in any major city worldwide.
3. Traveling gives you some global credibility.
Past family vacations consisted of driving throughout California and the west coast, and flying to the eastern seaboard. However, last summer was the first time I traveled outside the United States. I learned about ethnocentrism in school, but couldn’t appreciate what it really meant until I went abroad. A phrase, made famous by the “Wizard of Oz”, goes like this: “I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.” Substitute Kansas with California and this perfectly described my thoughts as the Argentine customs agent slammed my passport back on the counter and declared, “Oh, you’re American? Okay. Thanks, bye!” I now appreciate everyone who tries to speak english even though it comes out butchered. Being on the other side of the discussion is an eyeopening experience to say the least.
With a broader view of how the world works - or doesn’t - I feel it is appropriate to engage in various discussions and contribute my firsthand experience. Too many people repeat statements they heard on the radio or watched on the television and think it is the truth. I’ve had the opportunity to discuss my personal experience in Argentina and offer another explanation as to why someone chooses to make certain political or cultural decisions. Without traveling, you’re simply repeating something you heard or read. By actually getting on a flight and exploring the world for yourself, it adds to your credibility - and your discussions become more lively, too.
Studying abroad allowed me to become a global citizen and fight the good fight when it has been appropriate.
4. Appreciate how well off we are as Americans.
I was fortunate to travel to other parts of Buenos Aires and viewed how poorer neighborhoods lived. Just a few miles from the wealthiest part of Buenos Aires were children “playing” outside in the cold because the temperature in their tin homes was even colder. The homes were dilapidated, and it is hard to imagine driving around Temecula - or southern California for that matter - and finding buildings in such disarray.
Further north, near the border where Argentina and Brazil meet, I walked the tourist neighborhood of Iguazu Falls. Just blocks from my hostel, I found run down homes, trash on the streets, and stray animals. In a community with so many foreign dollars, I was shocked to see the town so unkept.
I very much appreciate driving, walking, and biking around my community knowing I am safe, and I have a home with a warm bed to sleep in a night.
5. It is good to get out of your comfort zone once in a while.
The final lesson I learned abroad was that getting out of my comfort zone is a good idea. When I was forced to get on a metro with hundreds of other people, I was taking a risk that someone might pickpocket me. When I was forced to walk back to my residencia alone, I was taking a risk I might get lost. When I decided to jump on a bus without a plan, I was taking a risk. But I learned that everything worked out in the end. Not everything needs to be planned and some things are better done in the moment. I certainly have an arsenal of stories to tell family, friends, and prospective study abroad applicants.
The lessons I learned studying abroad will stay with me for the rest of my life. Exploring a foreign country and making new friends should be a part of everyone’s college experience. Looking back, my travels in Argentina were a maturing five weeks. I laughed, got nervous, became scared, rejoiced, danced, and probably had twenty other emotions. But overall, I think I am better prepared to take on the world around me. Thanks, Argentina, for teaching me important life lessons in five weeks which would have taken years to learn in “The States.”
P.S. Just for kicks…the beef is amazing in Argentina - and so is the wine.
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