A Conversation with Sarah: Psychology and Humanities in Buenos Aires, Argentina

JM: Great, thanks. So why did you choose this program?
SC: I chose this program for a number of reasons. It was really important to me that I could fulfill a couple of requirements while studying abroad. I wanted the study abroad experience but didn’t want to fall behind in my BCN major. So I looked at all the programs that worked with BCN. I specifically chose Argentina because I wanted to get out of the cold, be in summer and fall, improve my Spanish skills, and push myself out of my comfort zone. I’d taken Spanish at university and have Spanish-speaking family, but I wanted to immerse myself and really grow in the language. I also felt Argentina was a unique, less common location for study abroad, which appealed to me. I didn’t know anyone here, and I wanted to make the experience my own. And I’ve loved it.

Meeting Academic & Language Goals

JM: So your program is going to wrap up soon and I was wondering if you've been able to achieve those goals that you just mentioned. I was just attending one of your classes, and you wrote a beautiful story. So I can definitely see that your Spanish is so good.
SC: It’s definitely improved. This program had the perfect balance: my psychology and neuroscience classes are in English, so I wasn’t overwhelmed or expected to come in knowing lots of Spanish. I could still do all my academic work in the language I was most comfortable with. But I speak Spanish every day with my host mom—she doesn’t speak any English. At first, learning the Argentine accent and vocabulary was a process, but it wasn’t too hard. I also took a Spanish class that was great for all levels. It was designed to be accessible, and there was a huge range of Spanish backgrounds among the students. Locals in Buenos Aires are very friendly and open, and they’ve been really supportive while I practice my Spanish—whether in the store, at parks, or with my host mom’s friends. I was worried at first about not sounding smart or fluent, but people have been encouraging.

JM: You were talking about your host family and your experience in the homestay. How has that been? How was it transitioning from living on your own or with other college students to being with a host family on this program?
SC: It's been really good. Students could also choose apartments, but they’re more expensive and you have to cook for yourself. I used a dining plan at Michigan and didn’t want to deal with that. Plus, I wanted the cultural immersion. Living with a host mom has been amazing. Having someone there the first few days really helped. Before orientation, she had maps of the city ready—she showed me where to go, where to avoid, how the buses and metro worked. She and her daughter walked me around the neighborhood and showed me parks, cafés, and the subway. It made a huge difference in feeling settled. She’s also respectful of my autonomy. She knows I’m a college student and don’t need to be micromanaged, but she checks in—like asking when I’ll be traveling or if I’ll be home late—just so she’s not worried. There’s no curfew or anything. It’s a healthy, supportive relationship, and I’m very grateful for it.

Cultural Differences

JM: What about cultural differences? For example, you said that you've been enjoying the meals, the food has been good, but I know that Argentinian food may be very different to what you're used to having in the US.
SC: Oh, absolutely. The food was one of the biggest surprises. My family is Mexican and Puerto Rican, so that’s what I expected Latin American food to be like. But Argentine food doesn’t use much spice. That said, it’s delicious—there’s a strong Italian and European influence. Lots of pasta and pizza, and traditional dishes like locro, which is inspired by indigenous cultures in the northwest. Another big difference is time—people here are generally tardier than in the U.S. I’m doing an internship in a neuroscience lab, and meetings often start 15–30 minutes late. In Michigan, everything starts on time. Here, people chat about family and politics first before getting into the science. Neither is better, they’re just different, and it’s been fascinating to compare. Also, you have to be very careful crossing streets. In Ann Arbor, cars stop for students. In Buenos Aires, they absolutely do not. There are no stop signs, so always look both ways!

JM: Going back to the internship. How did you decide to do the internship, and how was the process?
SC: The process was great. I got accepted to the program in the fall, and by October or November, they let us know that internships and research opportunities were available. I indicated I was interested and submitted a resume. An academic advisor at IFSA met with me one-on-one, reviewed my resume and major, and gave me four internship suggestions. She explained the day-to-day, the time commitments, which ones required Spanish, and how the schedule would fit with my classes. It was super clear. I ended up interning in a neuroscience lab at a local university. One of my classmates is there with me, and others are interning with the Red Cross, LGBTQ organizations, and more. There’s something for everyone—hands-on, research, clinical, data-oriented—you name it. We also have internship supervisors and IFSA advisors who check in throughout. If there are any issues, you have support.

Balancing Internship with Study Abroad Life

JM: Has that gotten in the way of you enjoying things outside of the classes or curricular work? Because I think that is typically a concern for some prospective students.
SC: It was definitely a concern for me too—I didn’t want the internship to take away from cultural experiences. But it worked out. It’s 10 hours per week, plus about one hour for the seminar work. The internship is built around your class schedule. You tell them when you’re available, and they make it work. They’re flexible if you need to travel for a weekend—just let them know and make up the hours the next week. There’s an expectation to commit, but they’re understanding. And honestly, the internship has added to my social experience. I’ve met Argentine students, as well as students from Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela. We’re all around the same age. My lab is even doing an asado soon—a traditional Argentine BBQ and social gathering with mate. It’s helped me branch out socially beyond my program cohort.

JM: Amazing. That sounds wonderful. To wrap up, I wanted to ask you if you have any advice for students who are applying to the program and are interested in coming here.
SC: If you have any interest in it—just do it. I was really nervous about living abroad for four months, leaving U-M, my friends, and roommates. But it’s been life-changing. I’d do it 1,000 times over. It’s also made me appreciate U-M even more, I know exactly how I want to spend my senior year now. If you’re thinking about studying abroad, go for it. You won’t regret it. I was homesick at first, but once you adjust, everything clicks. I’ve made connections across the continent, and it’s been an unforgettable experience. I’m really grateful to be here.