Hola collegiettes™! As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ll be studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the month of August. As I leave this Friday, this past week has been a blur of running around accomplishing various errands, as well as trying to see as many friends as possible. So I guess it should come as no surprise that what started out as a little bit of frazzle has turned into a little (okay, a lot) of anxiety. But, that is to be expected when you’re going out of the country for the first time and your Spanish is a little—como se dice—rusty.
Anyway, to anyone who is planning on going to a foreign country, don’t put off all your errands until the week before, or packing until two days before. Unless, that is, you enjoy beating out both a gamer and a kid wearing a pocket protecter for the first spot in the line waiting for Micro Center (a computer/technology store) to open at nine in the morning, in order to get a converter/adapter. I’m also struggling with the fact that because I stubbornly refused to upgrade to a bigger suitcase (I have toothpick arms and thus know my limitations), I will probably only be able to bring a few pairs of shoes. Nevertheless, it’s been kind of fun to run around looking for things like traveler’s checks and host family gifts.
Speaking of my host family, I am so excited to meet them! I’ll admit, in the beginning I was a little hesitant about living in a homestay, but once I received my family assignment all doubt went away. My host mom is a former chef (score), and living with her are her son, niece, and a kitten (OMG). For those of you who don’t know me, I could live in a dungeon basement and be completely happy, as long as there was a kitten.
So, because there will be a kitten, and because I’ve decided to go into this as someone who won’t freak out about getting lost, or about making sure that no ham gets in my food (note to other vegetarians considering going to BA: on TV the other night I saw a program that called the city a “carnivore’s paradise”), I am going to make this an amazing, positive and eye-opening experience.
There’s still a lot to do before I leave, and I still have to figure out what I’m going to do during my nine hour layover in Washington, D.C…hmm. It’ll also be interesting making the switch to pesos and finding a place to buy a cheap “go” phone so I can talk to my friends in Argentina (although any calls home to the U.S. will be made via Skype), as well as figuring out how to get to school and out and about. I’m definitely a little scared, but also so excited to get to know Buenos Aires!
Besos!
Kali
This is how my floor looks right now, but even less organized.
Photo source: http://www.your-study-abroad.com/2011/02/packing-list-for-study-abroad/