I studied abroad in Mendoza, Argentina during the Fall 2025 semester, and I can honestly say it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. When I was looking at programs, I knew I didn’t want to choose a destination just because it was popular. I wanted a place where I could truly immerse myself in the Spanish language, build real relationships, and grow as a future educator. Mendoza ended up being exactly where I needed to be and I am so happy I decided to choose it.

I lived in the neighborhood of Godoy Cruz with my host dad, Fernando, a 75-year-old Mendoza native. At first, it felt a little strange! It was just him and me, and I wasn’t sure what living with an older host would be like - especially with no pets or other students in the home. But over time, Fernando became like a grandfather to me. After losing my own grandparents, I didn’t realize how much that kind of presence was missing from my life. Our daily routines, shared nightly dinners, and long conversations in Spanish became some of the most grounding parts of my experience. By the end of the semester, saying goodbye to him was genuinely heartbreaking. Luckily WhatsApp exists and we still chat weekly!

Academically, I attended Universidad de Congreso, a private university located downtown. My API group was very small - just me and one other student from the United States. This made the experience feel intimate and personal. At the same time, we were fully integrated into the broader study abroad community at the university, with students from Italy, France, Belgium, and Mexico. That mix of cultures made every class discussion richer and pushed me to step outside my comfort zone socially and linguistically.

I took Wine Culture and Production, Spanish B2.1/2, Sustainable Development, and History of Argentina, balancing two classes in Spanish and two in English alongside my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) internship. It was challenging at times, but in the best way. Spanish wasn’t something I could turn off after class and it became part of my daily life, from navigating the city to chatting with café owners and classmates. That constant exposure did more for my confidence than I ever expected and at the end I tested as advanced low in writing and speaking on the ACTFL exam.

The heart of my semester was my eight-week TEFL internship at Escuela Carmen Vera Arenas, a primary school connected to Universidad de Cuyo. I taught English to grades 1–8 every morning, spending about 45 minutes with each grade level. I became incredibly close with my students and the faculty, and those mornings in the classroom are what I miss the most. Teaching in another country will humble you quickly, but it will also remind you why you chose education in the first place. Being able to apply what I had learned in my education courses back in Wisconsin to a real classroom in Argentina changed how I see myself as a teacher and a person.

Outside of academics, daily life in Mendoza is what truly made it feel like home. I felt most like a local during the quiet, everyday moments: walking to cafés, spending afternoons in plazas, and having spontaneous conversations with people who patiently helped me find the right words. A perfect Sunday looked like coffee, wandering the city, and planning group trips with some of my newfound friends or just sitting around sharing mate and stories.

Through API, we also traveled together in ways that felt intentional, not rushed. We spent a relaxing weekend in Potrerillos, hiking, eating asado, and playing card games under the sun. We explored Córdoba, with its Jesuit roots and stunning cathedrals, and visited La Cumbrecita, one of the most charming places I’ve ever seen. We also went to Termas Cacheuta, where soaking in thermal pools surrounded by mountains felt unreal. These trips helped balance the intensity of daily life and brought our little group even closer.

I also cannot say enough about Betiana, our Resident Director. She was there through homesickness, uncertainty, and every question in between. She truly cared about us as people, not just students, and I don’t think my experience would have been the same without her support and guidance. She is a big part of why I am an API ambassador today!

Now, to be real, Mendoza isn’t the easiest place to study abroad. English isn’t widely spoken in the community, and there were moments of frustration and discomfort. But that’s also what made it so transformative. If you’re looking for constant comfort or a very structured, hand-held experience, this might push you. If you’re looking for growth, independence, meaningful relationships, and an experience that stays with you long after you leave, you’ll thrive here.

Leaving Mendoza was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. API didn’t just send me abroad, they set me up to truly live there. And that made all the difference.