Submitted by Christy Arango-Kautz on the 2018 fall semester program in Buenos Aires, Argentina…
As a relatively introverted person, I was pretty nervous about studying abroad partly because I would be leaving behind my support system of family and friends, but mostly because I was scared that my shyness would restrict me from fully taking advantage of this unique experience. It’s always difficult to put yourself in uncomfortable situations and it’s even harder when you’re delving into an unfamiliar culture. Therefore, after having given myself a long pep talk while flying over the Andes Mountains, I landed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, ready to find the extrovert within myself. My first opportunity arose while standing in the painfully long immigration line. After about half an hour of slowly advancing towards the front, I decided to try and make the best of my situation by starting up a conversation with the equally miserable man behind me. We bonded over our frustration with waiting in line after ten hours of flying and we learned more about where we were coming from and what we were planning to do in the city. The following half hour in line suddenly became bearable and we were soon parting ways in a much better mood. I’ve been trying to keep this interaction in mind as I begin my adventures in the city and I have found that taking the initiative to start conversations can be the best way to not only better subpar situations, but also to be open towards new experiences and deepen my knowledge about the culture. Whether it be by eating parilla with new friends or going to a museum with peers in my program, I have attempted to step outside of my introvert comfort zone. Though my initial instinct still leans towards exploring on my own, the small steps I’ve taken have helped me to get a bit more comfortable with being uncomfortable, which overall, I think will enrich my time in Buenos Aires.