My Experience
In the spring of 2024, I began my four month study abroad experience in Córdoba, Argentina. I have to admit that I did little research on the country before going. A quick google search showed a tourist’s paradise, full of beautiful and diverse landscapes, the most shocking of which were the ice cold region of Patagonia. I was surprised that one country could have terrain so cold that penguins gathered there and also desert regions where llamas roamed. I was excited to explore the country, and get to know the city where I’d be staying.
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After arriving at my host family’s home, I was greeted by host parents and their young grandson. They all gave me a hug and a quick air kiss, to which I was taken aback. Back home, I usually greeted people I wasn’t close to with a smile and a wave, while only hugging close friends and family. This was a part of Argentina’s warm and friendly culture that took me quite a while to get used to, but also something I grew to appreciate. Another thing I grew fond of were our family dinners. Every night, without fail, our host parents would prepare a delicious meal and we'd all share about our day. I truly enjoyed those conversations, especially when our host parents invited the entire family over. I loved chatting with Greta, an 18 year old obsessed with Taylor Swift (among other celebrities), or playing with Nina, an energetic 5 year old who enjoyed playing math games on my phone.
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On my first day of school at Blas Pascal University, I was surprised to find the same laid-back and friendly attitude from my professors. They insisted that we call them by their first names and use tú (the informal word for ‘you’ in Spanish) instead of usted (formal word for you). My teachers also emphasized connecting with other students as the best way to learn. Each student was paired with a tutor, and I quickly developed a friendship with one of them. We went to the movies together, explored downtown Córdoba, and took a day trip to go hiking at Villa General Belgrano (a small town near Córdoba). Before I studied abroad, a 15 minute conversation in Spanish seemed like an eternity, but when I was hanging out with my friend Lou, talking for hours felt so easy. This method of learning helped me gain confidence in my speaking abilities and feel more comfortable participating in class. My professors encouraged me not only to learn inside the classroom, but truly challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and become immersed in Argentinian culture. They inspired me to continue my pursuit of fluency in Spanish, which will help me serve and connect with Spanish speaking patients in the future.
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Another experience that truly stayed with me from my time in Argentina was my internship at a health clinic in Córdoba. I had the opportunity to shadow a pediatrician, Dr. Pao, during an outbreak of dengue, a disease spread by mosquitoes. It was eye-opening to see the unique challenges and strengths of a healthcare system that is completely different from the U.S. I admired the availability of services at the clinic. It was strange for me to see an emergency department, a pediatrician’s office, a cardiologist, OBGYN, dermatologist, etc all in one building. I was also surprised that patients could have access to these wide range of doctors at no cost. Throughout my three month internship, I never saw a patient pay for any service or medication they received. There were also some challenges, such as the lack of adequate staff and supplies. I witnessed Dr. Pao ration medications and struggle to meet the demands of the never ending lines of patients in the waiting room. Witnessing her resilience and ingenuity despite working in such a high stress environment was inspiring.
Overall, studying abroad in Argentina has broadened my vision for my future career. Once I become a doctor, I will utilize my Spanish language skills to serve populations not only in the United States but also internationally. Shadowing Dr. Pao opened my eyes to the unique barriers that healthcare professionals in low resource environments face. This experience strengthened my desire to work for organizations that partner with people like Dr. Pao to improve and overcome barriers to quality healthcare.