A Semester to Remember: My Study Abroad Experience in Buenos Aires
My name is Marcus Carlsson. I am a senior at Trinity College (class of 2025), and I’d like to share my journey studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As an International Studies major and a Spanish and Formal Organizations minor, this experience was not just an adventure, but a deep dive into a foreign culture that changed my perspective through utilizing my academic experiences.
From Sweden to South America
I grew up in Alingsås, Sweden, a small town renowned for its parks and lakes. I lived there until graduating high school in 2021. During high school, I spent a year in Fuengirola, Spain, an experience that ignited my curiosity to explore the world. I always knew I wanted to study abroad in college but struggled to decide where to go. Initially, I considered Stockholm, but it felt too close to home for an adventure. I then remembered my time in Fuengirola, where I had studied a lot of Spanish and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I began looking into programs in Barcelona and Madrid, but Europe still felt too comfortable. While watching the World Cup on campus, as I witnessed Argentina take home the trophy, it struck me, that Argentina could be my next destination. I started researching it, and since I had never visited South America, I found it hard to envision the foreign environment I would be entering. I decided to commit and apply to Argentina.
Academic Journey
My academic experience in Buenos Aires was unique. I enrolled in two core classes within my program: Spanish and Human Rights in Argentina. These courses were instrumental in helping me acclimate to the local culture. In Spanish class, we focused heavily on adapting our language skills to the local accent and learning new vocabulary and phrases commonly used in everyday conversation. My Human Rights class deepened my understanding of Argentina’s history and its ongoing impact on the people.
In addition to my program classes, I attended three courses at Universidad del Salvador (USAL). One of these classes was Argentine Economics, where I explored the various struggles faced by Argentinians. It was challenging to overlook the country’s current economic situation, particularly given the severe inflation stemming from political turmoil. A striking example was when I exchanged one hundred dollars and received one hundred thousand Argentine pesos, with the highest denomination being two thousand pesos. I had to bring a backpack to carry the money exchanged.
Alongside Argentine Economics, I studied International Globalization and Art History at USAL. The Art History class helped me explore Buenos Aires’ cultural and architectural landscape. We visited significant buildings throughout the city, learning about their histories. For instance, I discovered that “La Casa Rosada,” the Argentine Government House, was designed by Swedish architect Carl Kihlberg. This inspired me to research the influence of the Swedish community in Buenos Aires. I visited the Swedish Embassy, had lunch at the Swedish Church, and was fortunate to be invited to lunch with members of the Swedish Rotary and Swedish diplomats. Finding out the Swedish influence in Buenos Aires was extremely rewarding, I found my community and unity in a foreign atmosphere, and after speaking only Spanish for months it felt fantastic to use a bit of Swedish.
My academic journey in Buenos Aires enriched my understanding of the city and its culture while interacting and learning from the local community.
Embracing a New Culture:
After a night’s sleep following my long journey and late arrival, I started wandering around the unfamiliar streets of Buenos Aires. I quickly established a routine of walking through the city, immersing myself in its atmosphere and stopping at various cafés for coffee. This cultural exploration allowed me to thrive in this foreign environment. I attended soccer games, dined at local restaurants, and ventured into Argentina’s breathtaking landscapes.
I became friends with locals who shared invaluable insights, leading me to some of the most extraordinary experiences of my life. One of my favorite adventures was a trip to San Carlos de Bariloche, where I went skiing with friends from my program. The stark contrast between the mountains and the urban setting of Buenos Aires was mind-blowing. Another unforgettable experience was visiting the vineyards in Mendoza, the renowned wine region. I explored Valle de Uco, enjoying activities like white-water rafting and savoring Malbec amidst the scenery.
The most meaningful and effective way to immerse in Argentine culture was by living with a local host. I stayed with a woman named Cristina, whose generosity made my experience truly special. She played a key role in helping me improve my Spanish, as we exclusively spoke the language in her home. This constant exposure to Spanish sharpened my language skills and deepened my connection to the culture.
Cristina went beyond being a language partner, she offered me invaluable recommendations for exploring the city and provided local insight on how to enjoy myself. Her guidance made me feel more confident and comfortable navigating Buenos Aires. Adding to the experience was her dog, Mia, who would run around the apartment and often leap into my bed, adding a touch of home to my stay.
To this day, I still keep in touch with Cristina, as she was an integral part of my journey in Argentina. While moving into someone else’s home can be an adjustment, Cristina made the transition seamless, creating a welcoming environment that helped me adapt to a new culture. She turned what could have been a temporary living arrangement into a home.
Balancing Tennis and Studies:
As a Captain of the men’s varsity tennis team at Trinity, I was determined to continue playing tennis while abroad. I was fortunate enough to find a local academy where I could practice. Training in a different environment provided me with fresh perspectives on the sport, and additionally, it was a great way to improve my Spanish and create lasting relationships. I would recommend everyone who goes abroad to join something to meet the locals of the place you are visiting. I believe that people contribute to your experience traveling and to this day I am in touch with many people I met during my time abroad.
Challenges and Growth:
Of course, studying abroad comes with its challenges. My first class in Buenos Aires was the international globalization class at Universidad del Salvador (USAL). I walked in and people looked at me as if I came from a different planet. All of them were super friendly although it took us some time to understand each other. The students and professors could not speak English and their Spanish differed from anything I had learned. Over time my classmates and I became good friends and they would constantly give me recommendations on new things I needed to discover. The support I received from the students and faculty was incredible, I have never felt more welcome anywhere. Being uncomfortable, and experiencing something new that you know very little about is a privilege. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be outside of my comfort zone and follow it up by having some of the best times in my life. Part of the journey is struggling and understanding how you adapt and learn. This is when you grow and ultimately have an enjoyable experience.
What did you learn from this semester about yourself and the world?
I learned to appreciate everything in life while in Buenos Aires. Witnessing wealth and poverty, I found a common thread among the people: they were some of the happiest and friendliest individuals I’ve ever met. At a soccer game in La Boca, I saw homes in disrepair, yet the joy in the eyes of fans entering the stadium or gathering for a watch party was infectious. In those moments, nothing else seemed to matter. This experience taught me to celebrate each moment and to welcome others with open arms.
I also underwent significant personal development, becoming more resilient and fearless as I actively sought opportunities to meet new people, especially locals. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was to be curious, desire new experiences, and create memories. My problem-solving skills improved throughout the semester as I learned to stay calm in challenging situations and use critical thinking when required.
My journey was successful and contained more than I had expected. I recommend anybody, to study abroad and create their journey. Engage in challenges with excitement and take the opportunity to explore.
All photos by Marcus Carlsson
Marcus studied away Fall 2023 with the IFSA Argentine Universities Program. CLICK HERE to learn more about this program. Visit the Semester Study Away Process website to see how you can begin your semester in Argentina!
