.Studying abroad is a privilege I did not know I would have. When I entered Clemson University, I knew I would love to study abroad because the experience would be priceless. However, because of the rigorous course load associated with a degree at Clemson, I was still determining if I would have the time. This was before I found and transferred to Language and International Health as my major. Upon changing majors, I was immediately informed of a requirement to study abroad and a required internship in the country I was visiting. 

Following the application process, I was told I would study abroad in Cordoba, Argentina, during the fall of 2022. Before this assignment, I knew little about Argentina, so I used every opportunity in my coursework to better understand the country, its culture, and its history. Seemingly following a theme, I was again surprised by Clemson when I was told that I would leave for Cordoba a month earlier than the other study abroad programs and participate in an “Intensive Month.” 

I left on July 13th, 2022, and arrived in Cordoba on the 14th. Before the trip, I expected it to be long, but I was still preparing for the adventure that awaited me. My first flight was delayed multiple times and eventually left over 2 hours late, causing me to miss my connecting flight in Bogotá. Because of the time of the flight, the three of us spent the night in the airport in Colombia. We caught the first flight out of Bogotá to Santiago, Chile, met up with the rest of the group from Clemson, and arrived in Cordoba at around 9 pm. Over 24 hours of travel, a missed connection, and three flights later, I arrived at my home for the next five months. 

The first couple of days of the trip consisted of many adjustments and acclimations. Of course, I was excited to be a part of the opportunity given to me. Still, I was also very nervous about leaving my family and friends, being so far away from home, and being brought into a new country with a different language and culture. I was thrilled to be able to practice my language skills constantly, but it was also overwhelming at times. 

The intensive month began just three days after arrival, and I was ill-prepared for their definition of “intense.” The intensive month consisted of classes five days a week and activities every weekend. The activities varied each weekend, but some of my favorites were the visits to estancias in the mountains, where we learned more about the Argentine culture surrounding gauchos, and the visit to Buenos Aires. I could go on about that weekend visit forever, but I will spare you the incredibly long recount. 

Throughout the intensive month, I learned more Spanish than I ever thought possible in such a short period; I experienced a new culture to the fullest, and began feeling more comfortable as time went on. After the intensive month began the regular semester of classes, I took classes four days a week and started my internship. My classes focused on the Spanish language and Argentine Culture and History. The most influential part of the trip for me was the internship. 

My internship began in a less-than-orthodox way and continued to have difficulties throughout my time in Argentina, but I persevered. My partner and I, each internship consisting of 2 people working together to help adjust, began our internship two weeks after everyone else began theirs due to some personal complications our supervisor had. A few weeks later, our supervisor was promoted, and my partner and I were again without an internship for about a week. After being designated a new supervisor, my partner and I were able to finally, truly begin our internship. I was able to work with the administrative staff at the health clinic to digitize their records. One of the main functions of the health clinic I worked at was to administer formula to mothers who needed help to afford their formula for their children. Still, it was organized in multiple binders with frequently lost papers. Most of my internship was spent digitizing that data and helping the staff maintain and control the distribution of the formula. 

Between my internship and classes, I spent my free time with friends from the group, two Haitian friends we had made studying at the same university as the Clemson group, and traveling the country. I visited Iguazu, a tropical area in Argentina with some of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen and a point where you can see Brazil and Paraguay, and Mendoza, where most of the wine in Argentina is made. I ate incredible food and experienced a new culture that did not care for personal space, was overly enthusiastic about soccer, and was much more Italian than expected. Still, the experience was incredible, especially experiencing the world cup while there. 

My host family was incredible in every aspect and welcomed me with open arms. They taught me more common and less academic Spanish, provided me with some of the best food, and were some of the kindest people I have ever met. Truthfully, I miss them terribly. But overall, despite the difficulties, I loved my time in Argentina. I am confident that the study abroad experience changed me for the better. I was forced to adjust to my surroundings and pivot when plans did not go as planned, and I could not be more thankful for the change that trip evoked in me.