When I first considered my exchange year abroad, and which Spanish-speaking country I wanted to be in, I thought initially of a continent, and then of a specific country. I’d studied some Latin American, and specifically Argentinian literature last year and I’d heard really good things about the country, so, after a bit more research, I knew Argentina would be the place for me.
All of my comparisons here are generalisations, taken from my own experiences in the UK (extensive) and in Argentina (much less so) I’ve now been in Argentina for just over a month, volunteering as a communications assistant and I thought now was a great time to take a step back and note down some of the differences I’ve noticed in my short time here. The differences I’ve briefly outlined are completely based on my own experiences. Give this a read and see if the ones I’ve noticed match up with your own perceptions!
Over the weekend, Neil, Milena, and I visited Comunidad Milpa, a project outside of Buenos Aires city towards Tigre. Having got up early to get the bus from Plaza Italia, what struck me on arrival was how industrial the area is. I was told that this part of town was home to several factories, among them the Ford production plant. With the backdrop of this industrial landscape, Comunidad Milpa felt somewhat out of place, which is perhaps exactly why it makes perfect sense that it is situated here.

Tradition Day is celebrated in Argentina in commemoration of the birth of the writer and journalist José Hernández, on November 10, 1834, who composed El Gaucho Martín Fierro, a lyrical work that occupies the summit of gaucho literature. This day is a good opportunity to reflect on traditions and their changes over time. Therefore, we share some reflections of Leonor Acuña, professor and researcher at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) about tradition:

Juana wrote poetry and literature; she was a translator of multiple languages; she founded her own newspaper; she created and directed schools; she digitized innovative educational policies; she fought for women's rights becoming a precursor of feminism in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. She suffered exile, poverty, and the difficulties of supporting her two daughters alone.

From: Sweden

Birthday March 28, 1994

Volunteered in the Summer Camp for kids in 2019. 

Studied at EAE Business School & Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Known as the Mapuche Princess, Olga Elisa Painé was born on August 23, 1943, in Ing. Luis Huergo (Río Negro) and died at the age of 44 in Asunción, Paraguay. Her parents could not register her with a Mapuche name in a system that denied the existence of native peoples as such.

We always share historical fragments on patriotic days or historical commemorations, but these facts usually describe events led by men. However, in Argentine history, as in history in general, there were many women who fought. In these publications, we will share the stories of many women who are part of Argentine and Latin American history. Today: Maria Remedios Del Valle

From: United States

Birthday: December 13, 1980 

Volunteered in Teaching English Online in 2021. 

Studied at the University of North Texas, Applied Anthropology Graduate Program.

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