Argentina: Community Service & The Great Outdoors

I had more fun that I ever imagined I could have during the trip. I significantly improved my Spanish skills and had the opportunity to do many unique outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and white-water rafting. I would definitely recommend this program for anyone with a passion for outdoor fun. The community service portion of the trip was also very fun and a great bonding experience for the group!

In Argentina, I learned Castilian Spanish, built better communication skills, became comfortable with the unusual and felt gratefulness. My group was very supportive when it came to one of us being homesick, having our first horse ride, and going water rafting. We all stuck together as a family and got to know each other pretty well within the time we were together. I enjoyed this program so much not only for the adventures held, but also for the community service we did in Argentina. From remodeling a school to helping out in an orphanage, we all spent an amazing time among ourselves and the people in the community. As a group, we shared our home stay and new culture experiences every time we reunited. One of the moments I will always carry with me is when my group and I agreed to creating a GoFundMe towards the orphanage and how our families voluntarily donated towards helping out the children. On the last day of our community service at the orphanage, we bought toys, groceries, new kitchen utensils and art supplies with the money we had from the fundraiser. This trip was full of friendships and memories. Revisiting Argentina is definitely on my bucket list for its welcoming culture and delicious meals. The Experiment of International Living set me with the best people out there and I cannot thank them enough for this amazing experience!

We did many activities that put us out of our comfort zone. Whether it was hiking, camping out in the cold, or riding a horse for the first time, it was a challenge you had to push through. The group leaders were really helpful. I remember at first, I didn't want to do the bike ride. The last time I rode a bike was in fifth grade so I was a little hesitant. However, the group leaders really encouraged me to at least try it. In the end, I pushed through the doubt and uncertainty and went for it. The home stay was eye opening. We really got to see how people live their everyday lives. My host family was very welcoming and kind. They did their best to make me feel comfortable. My host sister helped me improve on my Spanish while I helped her with her English. As a group we were really close. This is mainly because of the little exercises our group leaders had us do. We would get paired up and have to talk about our challenges, goals, and things we overcame. We also had to say one thing we admired about each other. This way we got to know the people we were spending time with a little better. Overall, I grew a lot from this trip and got to meet many wonderful people.

This program was by far one of the best experiences I have ever participated in. Everything was great; the staff, the activities, and how it was run. For me, what made the program so great were the activities we participated in and the focus of the program. My program focused on community service around Argentina and exploring the adventurous and outdoor side of Argentina. The community service was great and I loved the manual labor part of it that we did at a local police station. We were also able to work at an Elderly Persons' Home which felt very rewarding since we could really see how happy we were making the residents. As for the outdoor side of the program, everything was very fun and well run. From the whitewater rafting to the horseback riding to the bike riding. The activities were what made this program different from any others. Another great aspect of this program was the homestay. All of the families were set up and dealt with very well and everyone had a great experience. The overall program was great all around and I would definitely recommend to others.

This experience was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I met many amazing people, and I really got the opportunity to explore another culture and have fun at the same time. The leaders were attentive of our needs, and easy to communicate with. Their relaxed personalities really allowed the group and I to live this experience to the fullest, because we felt comfortable being ourselves around them.
During my time in Argentina, the group and I did not stay in a town or city for more than three days which really kept everyone entertained, but also busy. It was cool to learn about many different places, and how each had their unique aspects even though all these towns were in one single country.
The community service aspect of this program was my favorite because the whole group was able to contribute equally, and the people made it fun to do. Working with a school and being able to meet the children who we do this for really made me realize how much we have in the United States, and how a work like the one we did really helps these communities.
As to my home stay, I absolutely loved my host family. From the first time I walked into that door I had a home-like feeling, and everyone welcomed me with hugs and kisses. I was able to have conversations quickly, and got to share different aspects of my own culture to them as well.
Argentina was a wonderful experience that made my summer amazing. I am planning on returning, but I could repeat this summer program, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Going to Argentina was one of the most life changing experience for me. It was the first time I would be away from my family for so long and just be among my peers mostly. I loved every moment of the trip because there were so many things I could discover due to the fact that I do not know anything about Argentina.

I really loved my host family as well. They treated me well and shared all their special dishes and love for me. I was always happy with my host family because we did a lot of activities and there was never a dull moment at home.

The rest of the trip was amazing. I made some really great friends and had life changing experiences.

I had an amazing time in Argentina, I met great people and loved my host family. They paired the host families to each family perfectly and every single student in my group agreed. We went out to explore the city and various towns and enjoyed every single moment of it. The group leaders were the sweetest and took care of us as if we were their own. They always made sure everyone was included in the group and had a lot of fun with us!

One 35-pound suitcase, 45-liter backpack, and a one-way ticket to Argentina later, I was on a plane to a country I have never been to before with 12 unknown students and two amazing leaders I would soon get to know. As my group and I landed in Buenos Aires, I could smell the freshly oven-baked empanadas, sweet dulce de leche spread on crackers, and juicy well-done steaks Argentina is known for. I couldn't be more grateful to have spent 4 weeks in a country that is known for their food and culture. From a friendly game of soccer with our host families to finding the restaurant with the best tasting pasta (which was quite impossible), we had the experience to immerse ourselves in more ways than one.

For the first 2 days, our group had the opportunity to explore what Buenos Aires has to offer such as the Tigre delta and practice our Spanish language skills. Over the course of two days, we received the chance to visit significant cafes, theaters, and art galleries that embodied the Argentina culture. One 4-hour local flight later, we were sitting in the Experiment's office in Jujuy, where our home stays would occur. To be completely honest, my family in New York and I have never been close enough to share a memorable encounter as I had when my host sister came to pick me up. She knew who I was, what I did, and why I was in Argentina, but I did not know anything other than her name. It was quite amazing. I could start from scratch in meeting and getting to know new people, in hopes of building long-lasting relationships.

My homestay family consisted of 4 wonderful-beautiful individuals: my mom, dad, and two sisters. At first, it was strange to share the table with people I did not know and sleep in a house I was not familiar with. Nevertheless, we started to warm up to each other, unlike the weather we were in. Their love snuggled the cold out of my body more than a simple sweater could ever have. I felt at home, 4,516 miles away from my house. I will always keep them in my heart, even if we're not together anymore. The long, chatter-filled nights I stayed up with my sister and hearty meals my mother cooked for the family will remain in my heart for the years to come.

Community service was like the icing on the cake; I could not be happier to have helped the local communities of Jujuy and Chicoana. Our community service projects such as gardening, painting, and remodeling a run-down police station and the humble school gave me the chance to learn life lessons I will sincerely hold dear to my heart. Durning the last couple of days, our group and I experienced white-water rafting in the Juramento River, horseback riding up rocky mountains, and camping in cold winter weather. Over the span of 25 days, I learned and experienced a lifetime of adventures. Indeed, it was a summer to remember.