My first thought as I landed back into the United States was content. I was thankful that I did not get stuck in the Buenos Aires airport, or that my suitcases didn’t get confiscated. In that moment, joy rushed over my body knowing that I didn’t get stranded in a foreign country.

At first I was glad to be home. I missed my family, my boyfriend, and my little dog, Nikita. But I felt as though something was missing. I had gotten so used to hearing and speaking Spanish 24/7 that I felt like I wasn’t doing something right here. It was so awkward at first speaking and hearing only English. Coming back to a town that is dead all the time, and has no noise whatsoever has been difficult to readjust to. But I have to admit, every night so far that I have been back sleeping in my own bed, I have slept like a baby. Something about the comfort of my own home.

In the amount of 7 weeks, I learned a lot from Argentina. Their way of living and the foods they eat and the items they possess are completely different from ours. But I would not say that they are any less important. Argentines are very passionate about their way of living. I only hope that someday we can be as passionate and realize that possessions don’t make a person.

Argentina will forever be in my heart. I can only imagine what is going on while I am away. I am excited for the day that I can return and possible work in the school system. Studying abroad has changed my life, and I hope that others had the same wonderful experiences as I did.  Melissa