Argentina: Community Service & The Great Outdoors

I was very excited to start the trip just from exploring and getting threw the airports by myself. When I first met everyone i was not sure what to expect but my group became family to me by the end. My home stay went very smoothly it was a amazing experience in it of itself being able to learn the day to day of a average family. My host family also became actual family to me in just 10 days they would take me to do things from basketball to exploring parts of the town and the outskirts. My group leaders where vary knowledgeable to they already had some understanding of the culture. The leaders also would help us with most anything from us needing help with our Spanish to writing post cards and if one of us would scrape our knee or roll our ankle.

I went to Argentina the summer of 2019 with The Experiment in International Living. I had a great time during the homestay, community service, and adventures we did individually and as a group. I learned a lot about the culture and language and broadened my view of the world. The homestay especially allowed me to be immersed in the culture and change my perspective. Would definitely recommend this program!
There are some things I would have liked to know before I went, though. Firstly, don't worry if you don't speak Spanish fluently. Everyone was able to find ways to communicate, even if we occasionally resorted to pantomime. Some advice: you will enjoy your homestay more if you go in with an open mind, not expecting it to be like your life at home.

When going on the Argentina travel abroad group with The Experiment program I had so much fun, and I grew as a person. My favorite part of the trip was when the group spent time together at night. Such as going out after dinner in Salta city and Buenos Aires, and being able to shop and spend time with each other. I also enjoyed playing cards with the group. When traveling alone for the first time and meeting these strangers and being able to bond with them created unbreakable friendships that will last a life time. Overall, my trip was amazing. I did not know what to expect, but by far the trip exceeded any expectations that I had. The program layout was setup was very well arranged, and all of our activities were on good time and everything always worked out. I had a great time, and I strongly recommend studying or traveling abroad.

My experience was amazing in every way shape and form. The whole thing was so well organized and my leaders could not have been more amazing people. I met the very best people, improved my Spanish and had THE most amazing time. I only wish I could do it over again. I learned so much about myself and about Argentinian culture. I made friends with people who didn't even speak my language. I still speak to them all and saying goodbye to them all was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I will never forget my experience in Argentina with The Experiment. The support in their office is excellent as well. I was helped through my application the entire time and if I ever had a question, it was answered. I could not have had a better experience.

Going away for four weeks did require some adjustment, but the leaders and the community made everything easier and much more exciting. Each day was filled with a new adventure, apart from community service the group was able to see a lot more of the country. We were able to be part of the culture, especially during the 10 day home-stay. The group went horseback riding, white water rafting, hiking, and biking. Not only did the kids learn about a new culture, but we learned about independence and responsibility. Definitely an unforgettable an amazing experience! I was exposed to so many amazing people, this was a great way to make new friends and even family across the globe.

My Experiment Abroad experience in Argentina was truly amazing. It was a perfect blend of rewarding community service, experiencing the beauty and value of nature, overcoming challenges, cultural emersion, and cultivating life-long friendships. It is difficult to put into words just how grateful I am to have had this opportunity, and it is harder still to touch upon all of the aspects of my experience that made it so wonderful. I met so many incredible people both in the communities and within my group with whom I formed meaningful connections and inspired me to push towards my personal and academic goals. The many once-in-a-lifetime experiences built into the program including horseback riding and camping in the mountains, whitewater rafting, and visiting the sand dunes were definitely highlights of the trip, but what made them even more special were the people with whom I got to experience these moments. My group quickly became one big family, and together we made every moment of the experience fun and memorable. A large part of my group's success came from the love, respect, and support we all showed one another. I still keep in touch with my wonderful and loving host family and chat frequently with the members of my group. Upon returning home, I found that my Spanish language skills improved dramatically during my time in Argentina without me even realizing it, and my newfound ability to view the world through two distinct lenses has given me a heightened awareness of the word, “normal,” as I am reminded of how each person’s concept of “normal” is subjective. Thank you to The Experiment team, my fellow students, and my group leaders for making this one of the best experiences of my life.

In the beginning, the introduction of the Spanish language was eased into our daily duties, such as ordering food or buying things. Then, during the homestay is where I learned the most since my host family solely spoke Spanish. Towards the end of the trip, I was able to have full conversations. After returning home, I was surprised when I realized how much more Spanish I came back with compared to when I left. Overall, I believe it's a great way to learn a language, because of the idea of being thrown into it and having to learn.

During my time abroad in Argentina this past summer, I learned so many valuable lessons about both myself and the world around me. This was an amazing program, from the places we stayed, to all the fun activities, as well as my fantastic group leaders. After returning, I felt like there was a whole new side of life that was available to me, and in the month that I have been back, I have become so much more aware of the world around me