Alumni Voices: My Twenties as an American Expat

By Richie Santosdiaz, CIEE Buenos Aires, Argentina, Fall 2006

I’ve pretty much spent my entire twenties living overseas. I’ve grown up in my twenties in four countries that are not my native country - and that journey began with my program in Buenos Aires, Argentina back in the fall of 2006.

About me

I flew my first international flight (Chicago -> Tokyo) when I was only two months old! I spent a considerable amount of my childhood overseas with my mom. In fact, there is a term for those like me out there – TCK or Third Culture Kid. A TCK is one who was raised in a culture different from their own. TCKs become good at adapting, and apparently our language skills are phenomenal. After all that, my mom and I returned to Chicago, where we pretty much had your typical suburban American middle class lifestyle, with one twist – I was a first-generation American from a visible ethnic background. As a first-generation American, growing up was very interesting – my family made strange ethnic food and held onto customs that my friends found bizarre.

Why I Chose CIEE Buenos Aires

I knew right away that I wanted to go to Argentina to study abroad. I always heard Buenos Aires was the “Paris of South America” and that there was loads of good quality beef so I was sold.

I didn’t realize this at the time, but my Argentine program made me who I am today. When you are studying abroad it is obviously important to study but never in my life had I learned things outside the classroom that have given me solid interpersonal skills. 

Enjoying the glacier near El Calafate in Southern Argentina

In addition, my circle of friends changed dramatically during (and because of) my time abroad. Prior to living in Argentina, my friends were largely from the United States. The great thing about CIEE in Buenos Aires was I had the option to live in a “residencia” or dorm, where I met people from various parts of the world. We all ate together, went out together, but importantly grew up together. In fact, I’m still friends with them to this day! This global network I have acquired is valuable not only personally but professionally as well.

Finally, another important skill I learned was to be decisive and bold. As humans, we can be wishy washy, especially with decisions that will lead to dramatic change. My decision to even go to Buenos Aires, against the initial support from those around me, was very decisive and bold. This is so valuable professionally, where I can make those difficult decisions.

The CIEE Buenos Aires program awakened my itch to travel, explore, and learn new things. In Buenos Aires I was totally in my element.

After Buenos Aires

Living in France in 2007

When I left Argentina, I studied in France for a semester and later returned back to Pennsylvania to finish my senior year. Once I adjusted back to life in the U.S., opportunity knocked on my door. I was offered a scholarship to do a business program in Spain, which I accepted instantly. I was young, flexible, and eager to learn. I was determined to make a career for myself overseas and gain international work experience right away. After living in Spain for two years, I thought I was pretty much settled. But it was 2009 and the Spanish economy had started to collapse, so I decided to pursue a Master’s degree.

Graduate School in London

 With guidance from my former study abroad advisor in Pennsylvania, I chose to study at the University of London – School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS).

I came to London on a gamble over 5 years ago. I knew no one, had no job lined up, and took the risk of trying to make my career work here. London is probably the most competitive city in the world. With my experience in international education, I got a job with the University of California while completing my Master’s degree. After completing my degree, I landed a job in international trade & investment, first working with the British government and now for a management consulting firm in London.

As I look back, I realize just how influential and important my time with CIEE has been in my life since then. It wasn’t an easy journey, but I managed to build a career in Spain and London. The actions I took in Buenos Aires, where I was flexible, daring, and at times seemed crazy, have taught me to “go with the flow,” and be flexible and adaptable to my surroundings and with those who I am with. I think it is important that ALL Americans, regardless of social and financial background, have the opportunity to not only go to college but to also have the opportunity to live and study abroad - especially for those from first generation and visible minority backgrounds like myself, and those who are from non-traditional majors (e.g. sciences, medicine).

Recently, I started a new relationship with CIEE, this time as a part-time lecturer for a business course at the CIEE London Global Institute. It’s great to be reengaging with CIEE again nearly ten years later!

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Richie Santosdiaz (@santosdiazr2) is a London-based professional working for a management consulting firm, where he focuses primarily on international trade & foreign direct investment (FDI) work. In his free time he is a part-time lecturer at the CIEE London Global Institute (“British Business in a European Context”) and is one of the main organizers for the North American Expats in London social group.