Submitted by Margaret Costello on the 2020 winter session study abroad program in Argentina sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures…
This weekend, we went to Uruguay and visited two cities, Colonia and Montevideo. This was a really cool experience because it was very interesting to see the similarities and differences in these two countries that are very close to one another. For one, Argentina and Uruguay are very similar in a lot of cultural aspects, one being that maté is a widespread drink that almost everyone drinks all the time. It is something that represents friendship which holds true in both countries. Dulce de leche is also a very big sweet treat that is enjoyed by many in both countries. However, there are very big differences, specifically in political terms. Argentina is a very large country with lots of controversy over political issues such as Peronism. As for Uruguay, there is not much political unrest because there is only a population of 3 million people so it is easier to get people to agree on things. There is still a left and a right on the political spectrum in Uruguay, but it is much less polarized than Argentina. Argentina and Uruguay are also both more liberal leaning and progressive countries, however, I would say Uruguay is much more progressive than Argentina. Uruguay has free education and free healthcare for all, similar to Argentina, but they also have the legalization of marijuana, 20 hour work weeks, abortion is legal, very little crime and very little unemployment. It was really cool to be in a country with all of these things that I see to be very beneficial to a nation, while coming from a country that is still lacking in almost all of these areas.
