Hola collegiettes™! I’m Kali Grant, a rising junior at the Ohio State University, where I’m Pre-Law and studying Public Affairs and Communication. In less than two weeks, I’ll be on my way to the “Paris of South America,” also known as Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a month of Spanish classes, salsa dancing, exploring, shopping, and soaking up as much culture as I can!
I love traveling, and it has always been by dream to be fluent in Spanish. Once upon a time (okay, in 7th grade) I had a pretty promising future in Spanish; I even took a class at OSU during my senior year of high school. That was the last time I spoke Spanish…oops. I was in a class first semester freshman year for a few days, but needless to say, it didn’t agree with my scheduling priorities at the time. After all, taking yet another class just didn’t seem that appealing or helpful, and I’ve always heard learning through immersion is the best way to break a language barrier. So, even though it’s been a while, I’m going for it—because if I don’t do it now, I’m definitely going to regret it someday. Not to mention that despite having camped in 44 states, I’ve never been out of the country (we’re not counting the Canadian side of Niagara Falls), and I was starting to panic that I’d never get a chance to see the world and become a well-rounded and cultured young lady and all that. I know, I know… #whitegirlproblems.
Anyways, because I transferred to OSU from Tulane University last year, I needed a less-traditional study abroad program that wouldn’t interfere with the school year (because going to three different colleges in three years is kind of pushing it). I considered going to Barcelona or Madrid in Spain, so I’d get to avoid the whole hemisphere flip where summer in South America is actually winter, but ultimately chose Buenos Aires because it offered an entirely different experience in a city and part of the world with which I was completely unfamiliar. Not to mention, I’d kind of been itching to break out my camel blazer, cardigans, and scarves!
So, after a lot of research (thank you studyabroad101.com!), I found the perfect program for me: an Intensive Month of Spanish classes in Buenos Aires for the month of August. This program, which is through International Studies Abroad (ISA), includes staying with an Argentinian family and attending the University of Belgrano. I’ll be in class most of the day, and on weekends will be taking to trips to the Iguazú Falls, El Tigre, and Argentina wine country. I can’t wait to see Buenos Aires, get to know my host family, make new friends and learn Spanish! Talk to ya’ll next week!
Source: http://www.studiesabroad.com/programs/country/argentina/city/buenos_aire…