Haylie Butler '17

Pesos in my pockets 

I cannot believe it has been almost 2 months since I left my home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We often hear people use the term “culture shock” when they visit a foreign country–they feel out of place upon being exposed to different food, distinct customs, and a whole new way of life. Well, let me tell you…”reverse culture shock” is also a thing. While I could not have been happier to step off the plane in good ole California, the first couple weeks home were challenging to say the least. I’d still have the urge to speak Spanish in public places and restaurants, I couldn’t go anywhere without finding pesos in my pockets (of course, they cannot be exchanged for US dollars…yay!), and I had the feeling that any day I would be jumping on a plane headed back to BA.

That being said, I have thoroughly enjoyed my holiday break back in the U.S.A. I spent Thanksgiving week in Hawaii with my whole family, visited my younger sister at Syracuse University, made it back to Mount St. James to say hi to friends right before the onslaught of finals, woke up at the crack of dawn to watch the New Year’s Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, and took a family road trip to the gorgeous Grand Canyon. (Side note: if you haven’t been to the huge hole in the ground that is the Grand Canyon, add it to your bucket list now!)

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Of course, the best part of being home has been spending time with family/friends, playing with my dog, Pip, sitting on the couch, and binge watching TV. All in all, the US has treated me extremely well during this non-abroad segment of my year abroad. I may not say it enough but I LOVE AMERICA!

 

To the rainforest!

Now one week out from my next abroad adventure, I’m running around trying to find stylish zip-off field pants, snake boots, quick-dry T’s, headlamps, and insect repellent–and also wondering why I have not done ANY of this sooner! I kid you not, I’ve been to REI four times in the last two days.

Nevertheless, I am beyond excited for this upcoming semester in Costa Rica (formally called a semester in Tropical Disease, Environmental Change, and Human Health). I would say, “don’t let the title intimidate you,” but it intimidates me…haha. I haven’t taken a single science course since the end of sophomore year so here’s to me getting back into the rhythm of rigorous academic coursework. I am grateful for two things, however: 1. the science courses will be taught in English & 2. I will be learning in the beautiful rainforest accompanied by new friends and monkeys.

So, caio for now! Next time we talk I’ll have landed in the capital city, San Jose, and be living that ~pura vida~ life!

 

Besos,

Haylie 🙂

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This break I learned…

1.) that the temperature of air increases 2 degrees centigrade for every thousand feet you descend…so while you need a large coat at the top of the Grand Canyon you’ll be wishing you were in shorts and a T at the bottom.

2.) how to find the apex of a curve and safely utilize the Anti-lock Break System (ABS) in a high performance vehicle. If you would like to learn more, visit the website for Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. Thanks for the Christmas present, Mom & Dad.

 

 

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Sitting at the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina…trying to figure out a couple of things while my flight is (of course) delayed: (1) how my five months abroad in South America are actually over, (2) what I would like my first meal to be upon landing in the states, and (3) what I will do in the likely scenario that I miss my connection from Peru to L.A. (Flash forward 20 hours, I did not miss my flight and am finally home in sunny southern California!).

The last four weeks here have been hectic to say the least (hence, why I have had “0” time to write a blog). Between final exams, our semester-long Independent Cultural Immersion Project (ICIP), and one last trip to the Patagonia region, I haven’t been able to stop and realize that I am actually leaving. The country I have called “home” since June will soon just be another place I lived and hope to visit again in the future.

 

“The end of the world”

My final trip to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world (often referred to as “the end of the world”), gave me the perfect opportunity to slow down, relax, and reflect on my time abroad in Argentina. I mean what better way to celebrate the end of my five month journey than a small jaunt to the end of the world.

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The remote little fishing town of Ushuaia, nestled perfectly between the Martial range of the Andes and the historic Beagle Channel, has to be the most beautiful place I have been in my entire 20 years of living (long time, I know). There’s something so surreal about being that close to Antarctica–about looking out onto the southern ocean and knowing that the mysterious, ice-covered continent is only a boat ride away.

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My most memorable part of the trip was canoeing the Beagle Channel–paddling the same waters that Charles Darwin explored in 1833. Yes, Charles Darwin! The man who proposed the theory of evolution and coined important biological buzzwords like “survival of the fittest.” As a Biology major, I simply could not contain my excitement.

On this same excursion, I also got to come within arm’s reach of penguins in their natural habitat. Enjoy this video of los pingüinos!!!

 

Caio, Caio for now!

Five months ago, I sat in the Miami International Airport and wrote my first blog. I expressed my fears for beginning my Junior year in a foreign country, I shared my anticipation for all the unknown adventures, friendships, and memories that were about to develop and unfold. And, I said:

“It’s a great feeling really–almost like when you are about to jump into a river from the high rocky ledge above. Everyone is yelling at you to jump but you are not sure if you’re quite ready. Are you prepared for what will come? What will happen once you hit the surface? But you eventually take that leap…because you know in the end you’ll be glad you did.”

Well, I’m at the end. I took that leap, I swam the river that is Argentina with all my might, and I can say without any hesitation, “I’m glad I did.”

Words cannot express how fortunate I feel to have lived a semester in this incredible country, to have deepened my understanding of latin american culture, and to have improved in my level of conversational Spanish.

But…it is now time to head back to the U.S.A. Thank you, Argentina for an unforgettable semester. And thank you to everyone who became a part of my Argentine familia! Without you, this experience would not have been nearly as special or rewarding.

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Until my next semester-long adventure!

Besos,

Haylie 🙂

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This semester in Argentina I learned…

1.) that there is much more to Argentine culture than meat, fútbol, and the tango (not to downplay their highly significant role).

2.) how to survive without Wifi at the most inconvenient of times.

3.) that dulce de leche, while very delicious, is NOT an acceptable replacement for good old U.S.A. peanut butter.

 

 

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This blog is for you, mom and dad. Thank you for visiting me in my “new home” and, most importantly, thank you for allowing me to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina…it has been quite the experience! 

Parents come to town

This week I hit my “one month left” mark and there was no better way to celebrate than my parents coming to town. Why? you may ask… Because I had the perfect excuse to act like a tourist again–revisit all my favorite sites, walk around with my camera, and pretend like school and finals didn’t exist. They absolutely got a kick out of me playing “tour guide/Spanish translator” and while the visit was only four short days, we made the most of every minute.

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MY Buenos Aires

My parents made their intentions very clear when they decided to come to Argentina: “Haylie, we are coming to see you, not Buenos Aires.” Now, of course I wanted them to see and experience the incredible city that I’ve made my home for the past four months…but I appreciated how there was no pressure for a jam-packed itinerary (one that would no doubt leave little time for sleep, rest, and relaxation). Therefore, I opted for a much different “tour” than most would receive upon visiting BA for the first time. They got to see MY little slice of BA–walk my favorite streets, meet my friends, visit my school “facultades”, sit on my favorite park bench, and even ride my trusty Subte D.

Some of our favorite moments include:

1. strolling through Plaza de las Naciones Unidas and seeing the Floralis Genérica (an iconic steel and aluminum flower sculpture that opens and closes with the sun). Passing “the flower” is always the highlight of my daily run so I was very excited to share it with them!

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2. visiting my home on Charcas and meeting my host mom, Marité. We got to chat, eat alfajores, and sip coffee in the living room…and of course, snap a pic of the two moms with their daughter.

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3. taking a nice little walk through the Plaza de Mayo at night. We got to see the Casa Rosada, Obelisco, and Kirchner Cultural Center all lit up (something I always love but never stop to appreciate). It was quite remarkable.

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4. walking through Recoleta Cemetery where my parents both said (and I quote), “it’s like a little town for dead people!” The most comical moment of the trip, however, was when my mom and I simultaneously broke out into song by Eva Peron’s grave…”Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” (a song from the musical “Evita”). Yes, there was an audience and yes, it was embarrassing.

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5. enjoying dinner and a tango show at Los Angelitos Cafe. This is something that is not a part of MY normal BA life but something I just had to do while my parents were here. It was completely touristy but so worth it. Below is a video of one of the incredible performances. Enjoy:)

6. eating really really good food. Food is always a priority in my family, especially when it comes to visiting new places. My dad was very excited to try Argentina’s renowned meat selections. I, however, convinced him to try some of my top-pick cafes as well. We had a wonderful brunch at my favorite restaurant Malvón, a delicious Mexican lunch at Mezcal, and an “Argentine merienda” of coffee and medialunas at Café Tortoni.

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So cheers, mom and dad! I hope you enjoyed your time in BA just as much as I did. And don’t be too sad to leave…I’ve only got four weeks left in this beautiful city!!

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Besos,

Haylie 🙂

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This week I learned…image

1. that I LOVE the innumerable amount of fruit stands in Buenos Aires. I visit the one on my block 2-3 times a week, but never stop to appreciate its convenience and beauty. So many colors!!

2. more about the presidential election in Argentina. Yesterday, every Argentine citizen went to the polls to vote for their next prez (it’s obligatory here). To read more about it, click here.

 

 

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The last hurrah! 

This past weekend, we (the Holy Cross Five) took our third and final group trip of the semester. Wait, what?!? Yes, our time abroad in Argentina is extremely close to being over. Luckily, this three day exploration of Mendoza, commonly referred to as the Napa Valley of Argentina, gave us a nice little break before our last five weeks of exams, projects, and final goodbyes.

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Do you want some cheese with that wine?

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After a 14 hour bus ride, we arrived in Mendoza and jumped right into a full day of wine/olive tours. At each winery we learned the history of the company, saw how the wine was produced, and, of course, enjoyed a complimentary tasting. The vineyards were beautiful and the wines were outstanding.

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My favorite part of the day, however, was visiting Pasrai–a company that grows, produces, and exports a large assortment of olive oil and dried fruits. The name itself is quite interesting. Pasa in Spanish is raisin…so the company name is actually a creative combination of both the Spanish and English word for raisin. We did a tasting here as well and I would recommend their garlic extra virgen olive oil…definitely some of the best I’ve ever had!

 

Ain’t no mountain high enough 

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The second day we had the opportunity to see Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Even though it’s technically spring down here, most of the ground was still covered in snow which allowed for some snow ball fights and reminiscing of HC winter.

The other landscapes seen on the way were absolutely breathtaking. Look out the window and you were either passing vast green valleys, bright blue lakes, rock formations of various coloration, or snow-covered peaks.

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Chao, for now!

Before heading home on the third day, we did a wonderful excursion that included a 1.5 hour horseback ride through the campo (field) followed by a parrilla (traditional Argentine barbecue). Having lived in Argentina for four months, I have experienced my fair share of parrillas. This one, however, was by far the most delicious, fun, and authentic…and the perfect way to end our stay in Mendoza! There’s nothing like getting on a 14 hour bus ride with a full and happy stomach.

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Now back in BA, it’s time to buckle down. With a final exam tomorrow and the others just on the horizon, there’s not much time for me to scroll through pictures and think about how much fun I’ve had on all my Holy Cross trips this semester. All I can say is that I feel so fortunate to have visited three very interesting, unique, and distinct regions of Argentina through HC and I will no doubt look back on Iguazu, Salta, and Mendoza as highlights of my “South American Semester” come November.

Bye for now!

Besos,

Haylie 🙂

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This week I learned…

1. how to properly hold una copa de vino–a glass of wine.

2. that Mezcal (Mexican restaurant) in Buenos Aires, is much better than Mezcal in Worcester (ya, not a fan). Being from California, I am very picky about my Mexican food and I finally found a place here that serves well-seasoned guac and understands the value of adding cilantro to street tacos.

3. that the Teatro Colon, the famous theatre here in BA, is absolutely gorgeous. It was a treat to see the ballet of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in such a remarkable and historical place.

 

 

 

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The three stages of studying abroad

When you decide to go abroad, you are required to attend the big “study abroad information session.” And at this information session, someone stands up and tells you exactly what your time abroad will look like…emotionally anyway. First, you have the honeymoon stage. You arrive, you’re in love with the city, and everything is new and exciting. Three and a half months post arrival, I can say that my “honeymoon” with BA was very real. I like to think of my first subte ride–getting crushed by the closing doors, being pressed up against complete strangers, hugging my backpack for dear life…and loving absolutely every second of it.

It’s not hard to be captivated by this big city, the most intriguing quality being its perfect combination of fast and slow paced movement. Step out onto the street and half the population is walking their dog or hustling to their next destination. Buses fly by and can barely come to a complete stop to pick up awaiting passengers. Yet, you walk into a cafe and the commotion disappears–all is “tranquilo” (calm). Argentines can sit three plus hours with only a coffee and dos medialunas (two croissants) to keep them occupied…And I’ve not only witnessed it, I’ve done it.

Unfortunately, the honeymoon can’t last forever (although I’m proud to say mine lasted for a wonderful three long months). I’ve officially hit stage two–the inevitable dip. It’s not that I’ve grown tired of the culture or run out of things to do. Rather, it’s that I miss some particular things that only the beloved U.S./HC can provide. And while the list includes Chipotle, reasonably priced clothing, and the obligatory family/friends, there is one thing that I need more than anything else. SCIENCE.

 

Dreaming of organic compounds and pig dissections

I am taking zero science classes here in Buenos Aires. And as a Biology major, it is killing me. Maybe I didn’t notice it so much at the start of classes because I was busy trying to comprehend everything in Spanish. But recently I’ve found myself researching tropical diseases in Argentine Lit or reviewing the anatomy of the human heart in Philosophy. Not good, I know.

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Luckily I’ve got a whole Biology semester in Costa Rica to look forward to!

 

Only goin’ up from here

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So that’s it. I’m missing my science classes and that has caused my dip. But don’t worry, there’s still a stage 3. We call it the rise and it basically goes like this: As your time abroad comes to a close, you fall in love with everything all over again. You choose to rise from your dip, be happy, and appreciate all the things that being abroad has to offer.

So what does this mean for me with an official month and a half to go?

It means spending time with friends, adding guac to salad, riding bikes at midnight through the city, sharing homemade picnics in parks on sunny days…and maybe the occasional daydream of organic chemistry mechanisms.

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It means soaking in all I can of this beautiful city and country. It means allowing this semester abroad to shape me, change me, and grant me a new perspective come November…and trust me, it already has. 🙂

Ready to rise! Until next post…

 

Besos,

Haylie 🙂

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This week I learned…

1. that the local peluqueria (porteño for hair salon) charges a very small amount for a wash, trim, and blow dry.  I walked all of ten feet from my apartment door and paid 100 Argentine pesos (the equivalent of 8 American dollars). A pretty successful visit if you ask me!

2. that in Argentina, October showers bring November flowers.

3. that there’s a picture of me in the Holy Cross brochure that we handed out to USAL students at the international fair. Almost everyone noticed that the girl promoting the school was also the girl photographed (the fact that I was wearing the same exact shirt probably helped…). 

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It was fun to share our HC pride and tell our fellow Argentine students all about life on the Hill 🙂

 

 

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This past weekend, we traveled to Salta and Jujuy (“hoo-hoo-wee”)–the second of three Holy Cross trips we have this semester. And I’ve gotta say, our small group of five from HC really enjoyed this visit to the mountainous northwest region of Argentina!

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Much different than Iguazu Falls, our tours of Salta and Jujuy exposed us to an immense amount of nature and culture. Each new town offered us an opportunity to meet locals, purchase handicraft, and learn some history….and the long bus rides in between locations gave us some time to appreciate the sweeping colorful landscapes (oh, and we can’t forget the incredible amount of cacti!).

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Among the sites that we visited were…

image1. Purmamarca: a colonial village nestled just below the “Hill of Seven Colors” (pictured above, left)

2. Pucará de Tilcara Ruins: a hill in Jujuy Province studded with cacti and old clay houses (pictured above, right)

3. Salinas Grandes: big salt flats

4. Humahuaca: town where you can find the best prices for all things lama!

Because I can’t go into detail on EVERYTHING I saw on this tour de Salta and Jujuy, I have chosen two to share in detail: SALT and LLAMAS!

 

“Did someone say, NaCl?”

Yes, I did! Salinas Grandes is a HUGE salt flat that is found at an average altitude of 3450 metres above sea level. While it is known for it’s pure white salt 10 months out of the year, we of course visited when it was slightly brown and discolored…so no, I did not lick the ground. However, we did have fun taking some pics!

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“Como se llama, llama?”

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Llamas are everywhere in Salta and Jujuy! We are talking live llamas, llama sweaters (I’m wearing my grey llama sweater in practically every picture), llama slippers, llama socks, and most interesting of all, llama meat. And let me tell you, la carne de llama es deliciosa (llama meat is delicious). I even got to try llama cheese! Pictured below are three traditional dishes that I tried along the way. From left to right, locro (llama stew), cazuela (llama meat and potato), and queso de llama con cayote (llama cheese with regional jam).

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A shorter road ahead

With two out of three trips done, it’s really beginning to hit me that I only have two out of five months left! School is picking up pace and I am finding that I have less time to do the “touristy Buenos Aires things” that occupied most of my first three months. Now is really when I buckle down and transition into my role as a true Argentine student and resident.

Wish me luck on the road ahead! Nos hablamos pronto…

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Besos,

Haylie:)

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This week I learned…image

1.) that to avoid altitude sickness in the Andes region, people chew coca leaves or drink coca tea. Yes, the leaves of the coca plant contain the alkaloids that are used in producing cocaine. Yes, we chewed the leaves to avoid altitude sickness. But don’t worry, the amount of alkaloid in the raw leaves is very small.

2.) the word for cacti in Spanish is cardones…and according to our tour guide, cacti with more arms are more diseased (?). 

 

 

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“First half marathon…Why not start international?”

I guess it wasn’t enough for me to try out for the USAL women’s soccer team (see last post). Now, I think I can run half marathons, too! Fortunately, this is the story of how I successfully ran through the finish line, beat my goal time, and loved every second of my first “21 K (13.1 mile) experience.”

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It all started on a normal Wednesday morning in Argentine History class. My friend, Vera, walkedimage into the classroom, took the seat next to mine, and casually mentioned that she was going to run the Buenos Aires 21 K on the 6th of September. I immediately became intrigued and asked for more details…but let’s be honest, I had already made up my mind. I was going to run the half marathon. I could not think of a more perfect way to see the city, challenge myself physically, and be apart of the Argentine community.

 

Train. Race. Eat. 

Anyone who knows me would call me athletic…but I am by no means a runner. I do my daily 2-3 miles, but that’s about it. We had just two weeks till the race…and I was determined to not only cross the finish line but do so in a timely manner. I made my goal 2:05:00 and we began training. With Vera’s help, my 3 mile average bumped up to 10 and before we knew it, the day of the half marathon was upon us.

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I loved everything about running the half marathon in Buenos Aires–wearing my personalized remera (shirt), listening to my “run forest run” playlist while admiring BA’s most famous landmarks, attempting to run and drink gatorade simultaneously, and seeing my friends cheer me on at the 12 K marker and the finish line. There is really no better way to appreciate the beauty of this city than on a long Sunday morning run…and I mean it! Here are some of the iconic buildings and monuments that I passed:

Pictured (in order) are Casa Rosada, Cabildo, Catedral de Buenos Aires, Obelisco, and Floralis Generica. 

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While the actual running of the 21 kilometers was unforgettable, nothing can compare to the moment I sprinted across the finish line. At 1:55:23 (10 minutes faster than expected!) I finished my first half marathon with the world’s biggest smile on my face. And then, of course, we got some ice-cream to celebrate. 🙂

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We’ve hit 11 K!

Sitting here and reflecting on this experience, I can’t help but liken my time abroad in Argentina to a kind of half marathon. I am already halfway through the race!! Two and a half months complete, I have just passed the 11 K marker and am rounding the corner to see 12 K in the distance. I love what I’ve seen and experienced these first 11 kilometers, but I’m excited to keep running and discover what lies ahead.

I don’t know, however, if I’m quite ready to see the end of this race…to cross that finish line that will appear on November 21st. Right now, I am much more interested in slowing the pace, taking in my surroundings, and enjoying every last minute of my Argentine semester.

Until the next kilometer on my study abroad journey…

 

Besos,

Haylie 🙂

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This week I learned…

1.) that avocado in Porteño is palta. This is extremely important as avocados are my favorite food in the entire world…If I had to pick one thing to eat for the rest of my life, it would be palta!

2.) that running a marathon is kind of like playing a game of MarioKart. There are hazardous banana peels EVERYWHERE.

3.) there are 1.61 kilometers in a mile…and the U.S. should really get on board and switch to the metric system. It would just make things a lot easier…

 

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“Put me in coach!”

This is the story of how I tried out for the USAL women’s fútbol team. And like all good stories, we’ll begin with the facts.

Fact #1: Fútbol in Argentina is more than a sport. It’s a lifestyle. It’s engrained in the culture. It’s a favorite pastime of all. And they are good.

Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina: Group F - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

Fact #2: I have never played fútbol–no really, NEVER. It’s not uncommon in the states to play a little soccer growing up…you join your neighborhood team, you kick the ball around with the family on the weekends. Ya, never did that. I’m a volleyball player. And volleyball is probably the most opposite sport you can find considering one involves contacting the ball with your feet and the other with your hands.

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Fact #3: I really wanted to give playing fútbol in Argentina a shot. Whether the cultural love of the sport had gotten to me, I missed watching the national team play on TV, or I actually thought I could make the team, I showed up for tryouts on Tuesday, August 4th with no soccer cleats, little skill, and a whole lot of determination.

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“We’ll call you Cometa.”

It quickly became apparent to the the coach and the rest of the team that what I lacked in soccer skill, I made up for in speed. And because the coach (and the rest of Argentina) could not pronounce “Haylie” correctly, she decided to give me a nickname: Cometa, or Comet in English. While I want to say I was given the nickname because of the famous “Halley’s Comet”, she chose it because “I was fast like a comet but not very good at soccer”. Haha. Yes, her words exactly.

 

“Good try, kid.”

Skipping to the end of this comical story, I did not make the final cut of the USAL women’s fútbol team…being the first in every sprint test and first to the ball on the field doesn’t do any good when you can’t kick the ball. 🙂 But to be honest, my failure to make the team was a blessing. While my two days of tryouts afforded me the opportunity to meet an incredible group of girls, make new friends, try a new sport, and learn some cool footwork, I really took a beating on the field. By Day 2, I was exhausted, had a collection of cuts and bruises, and could barely move.

Moral of the story is it’s always good to try new things–put yourself out there! Sure, it was kind of crazy of me to think that I could play soccer for USAL without ever having played before…but I am proud that I tried and I will never forget the experience.

 

Much love and luck to the USAL women’s soccer team this year! They’ve got a great team.

Besos,

Cometa 🙂

 

This week I learned…

1.) that most (if not all) Argentine professors do not arrive on time. You can show up to class 30 minutes “late” and be in your seat with time to spare.

2.) to take better care of my computer charger. In Argentina, Mac supplies are very difficult to find and are insanely expensive. RIP to my old charger… 🙁

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3.) that buffalo wings are also very difficult to find in this city. Let the search continue!

 

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“No, this is not photoshopped.”

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This past weekend we took our first Holy Cross trip to Iguazu Falls–one of the most incredible, stunning, and beautiful locations in Argentina (and I’d venture to say the whole world). There is no better word to describe these falls than impresionante…I mean look at the image above. Most people would assume I’m standing in front of a green screen. But the huge crashing falls, blue sky, and perfect rainbow were all real. I swear.

While it may not officially be considered one of the 10 Wonders of the World, it should be…and I recommend everyone adding it to their bucket list. The national park offers a variety of trails to explore. You can get up close and personal with the falls…and attempt to capture the stunning views through the lens of a camera.

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imageHowever, my favorite part of the whole day was definitely the 20 minute boat ride into the falls. Life jackets on and cameras packed away, we got absolutely blasted by the waters of Iguazu. Before getting on the boat, our tour guide said, “prepare to get  a light
shower“…as you can guess, a gross underrepresentation of how wet we were about to get.

 

Farewell, Iguazu! I will see you again in the future. 

Without a doubt, this was an absolutely wonderful trip and I can’t wait for our next two Holy Cross trips to Salta and Mendoza later this semester.

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And seriously, don’t forget to add Iguazu Falls to that bucket list of yours…I promise you won’t regret it.

Talk to you real soon!

Besos,

Haylie 🙂

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This week I learned…

1.) that 18 hour bus rides are significantly less painful than 25 hour long bus rides.image

2.) how to better my time-lapse video taking skills since Bariloche. Watch my time-lapse of one of the largest falls in Iguazu here!

3.) that good wifi should not be expected at hostels.

 

 

 

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Oh, that’s right. I’m studying abroad. 

After a month and a half of exploring the city, practicing my Spanish, and becoming acclimated to Argentine life, it is time to take on my important role as “student” in Buenos Aires. Living in a foreign country can be quite intimidating, but studying and attending classes as a foreigner is a whole other ball game. Let’s take a look…

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First day of school! First day of school!

Tuesday, August 4th was no ordinary day. Not only did I have my first class (Filosofía/Philosophy) at 8AM but I also had an 8AM appointment with the lovely Argentine migrations office (something about becoming a legal resident in this country… I don’t know). Of course, the meeting to obtain my student visa was not optional so I showed up an hour late to my first class at USAL. Now, arriving 1 hour late to a 3.5 hour class isn’t too bad by Argentine standards, but for a student who is set in her Holy Cross ways, it was a pretty big deal…and yes, I’m usually that kid who will be in her seat 30 minutes before lecture even starts.

So, basically I walk into Aula (Room) 104, the professor stops lecturing, and all eyes are on me. I attempt to not look flustered as I take the first open seat (front row, right in front of the professor) but make as much noise as possible sitting down and getting situated. Realizing that the class has come to a grinding halt since I barged through the door, I look up and timidly say the only thing that comes to mind: “Hola, soy extranjera.” 

Are you kidding me, Haylie? The first thing you say in your very first class in Argentina is, “Hello, I’m a foreigner”? Yes, yes it was. And while it was extremely embarrassing at the time and quite possibly the dumbest thing I could have said, the professor was intrigued that I was from the U.S. and the rest of the class went fairly well. Plus, my one-liner no doubt makes for another good story.

 

“Science Lib, where are you?”

So the first week of school is officially done…and I have to admit that I miss Holy Cross a tiny bit. Sure, it is really really REALLY nice to only have classes Tuesday through Thursday. And yes, it was a blessing that I could skip the stressful registration on STAR and freely enroll in any Argentine class of my choosing. image

However, I find myself missing the things I often took for granted: studying for hours in my secret spot in Science, running to Kimball for a midday snack, making my 5 minute walk from dorm to class, and being able to swipe that Crusader Card for any and everything. Here, I have classes all over the city. Instead of walking a couple minutes to lecture, my commute either consists of a 20 minute subte/colectivo ride or a 30 minute fast-walk. And forget about studying in a library (or any quiet place for that matter). You got your pick of noisy coffee shops and crowded cafes.

With that said, I could not be happier here. I know that studying abroad comes with challenges and “new normals.” I expect I’ll soon find my favorite study spot in BA, know where to go for a delicious and affordable lunch between classes, and become so accustomed to my bus route that I no longer have to stare at the GPS app on my iPhone while I commute.

Here’s to making this next week of school a great one and our upcoming trip to Iguazu Falls!

Talk to you real soon.

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Besos,

Haylie 🙂

 

This week I learned…
1.) That I lose my SUBE card in BA as easily as I lose my Crusader Card at HC. Plus side: I bought a nifty purple protector sleeve with my new card in hopes that making it bulkier will make it more difficult to lose. #bleedpurple 

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2.) Starbucks is my new Dinand Library.
3.) 2 kilos of Freddo ice-cream (a popular ice-cream store here in BA) is way too much for 6 people to share.

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Haylie Butler '17

  • Studies: Biology and Spanish double major with a premedical concentration
  • Hometown: Rossmorr, Calif.
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