Sophie in Argentina – Beyond the Bubble

Breaking the Silence: We Need to Talk About Race in Argentina

June 28, 2016 Leave a comment

Arriving in Argentina, I was unsure of how my racial identity would affect my experience. I perceived my time abroad as a break from microaggressions: the brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or environmental slights, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward marginalized groups, and racism and discrimination more generally. More profoundly

Sophie in Argentina

Academics in Argentina: Learning to Question What I Thought I Knew

May 9, 2016 One comment

Coming from a liberal arts college, adjusting to the academic system here in Argentina was challenging initially. In total, I have taken three program courses with IFSA-Butler, two courses at the national public university, and three courses at a private university here in Mendoza. Across the board, all my courses have been lecture based with minimal discussion directed towards questions

Sophie in Argentina

Leaving the Yes-Woman Behind

April 4, 2016 One comment

As I resettle into blogging while here in Argentina, I must admit that it feels different this time around. Though the initial “newness” of being abroad has faded, my appreciation for Mendoza’s beauty inside and out remains. As a month has passed, I am realizing that life abroad is much more complex than it seems initially. When I first arrived

Sophie in Argentina

Redefining Home: It’s Where the Heart Is

November 3, 2015 One comment

As I sit outside on the patio on a gorgeous spring day, I am amazed at how fulfilling my three months have been. I look back on how nervous I was as I first met my host family and how slow they spoke as I first arrived. With time, I’ve learned how to make conversation, gained a connection that allows

Sophie in Argentina

Leaning In: My First Take on Life in Mendoza

September 24, 2015 3 comments

My decision to study abroad in Latin America came from a desire for a challenge, my love for Spanish, and the need for something new. I took an intermediate Spanish class at Amherst my first semester of college, and waited until the spring semester of my sophomore year to continue with the language. Recently, I began to see study abroad

Sophie in Argentina

Tasting Mendoza: The Secret to the Culture of Community

September 23, 2015 Leave a comment

As I continue to take in my new life in Mendoza, I am dedicating this blog post to exploring the nature and treasures of Argentine cuisine. Since arriving, my taste buds have adjusted to new mealtimes and styles. Compared to meals in the United States, breakfasts are quite light, lunches are heavy, and dinners are optional. Pancakes and eggs at

Sophie in Argentina