Aug. 14, 2007

Name: Brittany Carson
Hometown: Wyomissing, PA
Graduation Year: 2008
Major(s): Sociology, Spanish
Minor(s): Art
Country of Study: Argentina
Institution or Program: IES

Q: Everyone walks into a new situation with some preconceived notions about what's to come. Which of your preconceptions was the most accurate? Which was entirely inaccurate?

BC: I think a typical preconception of other cultures is that the people will all be very similar, will speak the same way and behave the same way as each other because they are all from the same country. I've found, though, that there is a ton of variation within Argentine culture with differences in socio-economic status, language, appearance, lifestyles and basically all the things that also distinguish one American from another. One preconception that I had that was accurate was of the overall friendliness and helpfulness of other cultures in comparison to our own. Everyone just seems a lot kinder here.

Q: Describe the defining moment of your experience thus far.

BC: I think the moments that I feel I can hold my own in a different culture are fun experiences. For example, the times that someone who lives here asks me on the street about directions and I can help them out a little, or when the doorman recognizes and says hi to me on my way out of the apartment building, or when I talk to a cab driver and he has no idea I am not from Argentina...those are the times that make this whole experience feel a little more real.

Q: What difficulties have you encountered in your day-to-day life abroad? What strategies have you developed to overcome them?

BC: My difficulties mainly center on the health habits of the people here. I think Americans are in general a lot more health conscious. The majority of people smoke here, the air is very polluted, they eat a ton of breaded things and pastries and there's a big lack of vegetables.

Q: What one aspect of life in your country of study would you most like to bring back to the United States? Why?

BC: Though I'm still not used to it, I like the fact that Argentines take a lot more time to slow down and enjoy each other's company. Things like eating on the run, hurrying through a conversation or multi-tasking are really not as common here as they are in our culture.

Q: What was the best and the worst of the local cuisine you have had so far?

BC: The worst is their attempt at salads, which are usually some bland lettuce and grated carrots with no dressing and completely covered in salt. The best is by far the beef. I don´t understand what they do to make it taste so incredible

Q: What one place have you been in your country that others must see?

BC: I would definitely say Iguazú Falls, which is on the northern border of Argentina and Brazil. It's a grouping of a bunch of huge waterfalls that just was overwhelmingly beautiful.

Q: How have you been received by the local population?

BC: I stand out because I have blond hair but for the most part they are welcoming to Americans and like to ask questions about our culture, government and lives.

Q: What do you miss most about life back on campus?

BC: I miss friends and familiar faces.

Q: Be honest, how much time do you spend a week instant messaging?

BC: Well... between email, facebook, instant messaging and skype... probably about an hour a day. If I had Internet in my room like we do in the states I'm sure it would be a lot longer. Right now I have to pay for Internet every time I use it, so it's not very convenient.

Q: Have you played or have you seen any field hockey played over there? If so, what differences do you see in the local approach to the game?

BC: I haven't gotten a chance to play while I've been here so far, but hopefully I will before the end.

Additional Field Hockey Postcards