First Lessons Learned As a High Schooler Studying in Buenos Aires

“Active.” “Vibrant.” “Authentic.” “Patient.” “Diverse.”

These are words that this summer's high school travelers, also known as CIEE Global Navigators, have used to describe Buenos Aires, based on impressions from their first week in the city. From speaking using local slang known as lunfardo, to eating an afternoon merienda, to chatting for hours during the sobremesa, Global Navigators have been learning the ropes of living like a porteño. Here are the first major lessons they’ve learned in their first week in Buenos Aires:

1. “Don’t make judgments, and don’t be surprised if your expectations are contradicted.” 

Buenos Aires is a blend of historical and modern influences from Europe and the Americas. Students have been impressed, for example, with the unique array of architecture throughout the city, a representation of the city’s multicultural nature. Known as the “Paris of Latin America,” the dynamic of Buenos Aires extends profoundly beyond what you might expect based on the surface. For this reason, as students reflected, arriving with an open mind is extremely important! 

2. “Be patient with yourself, even if your Spanish is a little sketchy, it doesn’t have to be perfect.”

When learning a brand new language on top of a new culture, one of the most important skills is knowing that it takes time. As they discovered in their first mission in the neighborhood of Recoleta, empathy and openness are key to effective bilingual communication.

3. “You can talk to anyone, and you should, even if your Spanish isn’t perfect; most people really like talking to you.”

Connection with people is fundamental to the porteño way of life, which Global Navigators have seen in their conversations with locals during excursions into local neighborhoods, as well as their visits with Argentinian high school students. Having an accent as a Spanish language learner is normal, as Buenos Aires is historically and currently a city of multicultural influence. Porteños tend to be used to speaking to people from all over the world, so the best thing is to go for it! As our high school summer travelers continue their time in Buenos Aires, their reflectiveness and curiosity will help them along their way as they engage deeply with the culture and build meaningful connections through each experience.

Ready to experience Buenos Aires like a local? Apply for next summer now.