Embracing Community and Connection in Buenos Aires

By Amelia Rehman

Around this time last year, I took home a flyer that had been hanging in Gilbert Hall, one that quickly populated many walls and crevices of the building, advertising the Buenos Aires Study Away program. I had recently changed my Spanish minor to a double major, confident that I wanted to spend the rest of my undergraduate experience strengthening my knowledge and fluency in the language, even if it meant a more demanding workload. My deep desire to understand and speak the language permeated beyond the classroom walls, and I longed for a way to truly immerse myself in what it means to learn Spanish. Little did I know, I had the perfect opportunity at my fingertips. 

This summer, I stepped outside my comfort zone and spent six transformative weeks abroad—an experience that continues to shape not only how I aspire to serve as a bilingual healthcare provider, but also how I aim to engage more meaningfully with my community, personally and professionally. As part of the UGA en Buenos Aires program, each student was required to take six credits of coursework – either two classroom-based classes or one class and an internship opportunity. Our on-site coordinator, Marcela Garbagnati, worked diligently to assign students to internships after an interview that explored our future career and academic goals. Two other UGA students and I were placed in a private bicultural Armenian and Spanish primary and secondary school, Instituto Educativo San Gregorio El Iluminador, to assist with classroom duties. Located in the heart of Palermo, populated by survivors of the 20th-century Armenian genocide, this vibrant community of resistance features a cultural blend of restaurants, churches, and cultural spaces. It was also a setting in which I experienced profound personal growth. 

Working in a populated school allowed me to experience a complete sense of immersion, picking up the everyday lunfardo (Argentine slang) that the students used and gaining a deeper appreciation for the diversity of learning environments. Quickly, my everyday speech adapted, from morning conversations with my host mom to small talk on the colectivo (bus); I grew confident in utilizing what I learned solely in a classroom setting in daily life. This growth was not without its challenges. Immersing myself in Spanish daily forced me to confront my fear of making mistakes and communicating imperfectly. What I found was, more often than not, I was met with patience and encouragement–both from members of the community and my peers. A few giggles among the young students at San Gregorio, who caught my mistakes, were not discouraging, but fostered an environment where vulnerability and mutual learning were welcome. 

As someone who typically relies on independence and routine, being immersed in a culture that values collective experience pushed me to rethink how I interact with others. Accepting an offer to join a group sharing mate or striking up a conversation on the colectivo made me realize how meaningful small, everyday connections can be. An aspect of my experience abroad that surprised me the most was how naturally I began to lean into community–seeking support, offering help, and embracing the collective spirit that was so integral to daily life. 

My experience living in Argentina went beyond improving my Spanish skills – it reshaped how I envision my role in the community. It has deepened my commitment to a bilingual career, one that values culture and connection. Beyond professional goals, this experience has shown me the importance of building genuine relationships and embracing community as a source of strength and healing. I am deeply grateful for the UGA en Buenos Aires Study Away program, the dedicated teachers who supported my learning, and the incredible people I met along the way. Argentina has left a lasting impact on me, and I strongly encourage others considering applying to UGA in Buenos Aires to take this leap, not only to enhance their language skills but also to connect deeply with and grow alongside the vibrant communities that make these experiences so meaningful.