University of Wisconsin–Madison

Argentina: Emily Kane

Program: UW Activism Through the Arts, Winter Intersession

Emily’s Major: Political Science and Legal Studies

Emily leans on a railing overlooking a harbor and several colorful skyscrapers in the distance.
On the rooftop of the MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art in Buenos Aires) which overlooks the Port of Buenos Aires.

What is the moment you are most proud of?

As someone who has continued to take Spanish classes at UW-Madison, I was placed with a host family who spoke only Spanish. There was a learning curve throughout the first and second days, where I was challenged to utilize my language skills. I’m most proud of the discussions I ended up having with my host family, where I got to learn about their lives, the city of Buenos Aires and  Argentina, and about how Spanish is spoken and used in everyday life. One example is a conversation I had with them about the Covid pandemic in the US as compared to Argentina. I was proud of my ability to converse with them about a complicated topic in a language that I am still learning.

I found this program to be an incredible experience because I was open to immersing myself in Argentine culture

How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?

The typical structure of our days was to have class in the morning and activities and outings scheduled for the afternoons. To prepare for class, we had readings to complete beforehand and we answered written questions in class. This was similar to courses I’ve taken at UW-Madison, but different in that our activities complemented what we discussed in class. This way, we were not only able to read and talk about certain events in Argentine history and current society, but we also got to go out and experience those places ourselves.

Emily smiles in front of a brown and white patched horse behind a fence.
Standing next to one of the horses at the Estancia, a place we made a day trip to where we had a barbecue, learned to make empanadas, and were taught folklore dances.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

Regardless of which program you are considering, my biggest recommendation for those looking to study abroad is to approach the experience with an open mind. Be willing to try new foods, adapt to new cultures, and meet new people. I found this program to be an incredible experience because I was open to immersing myself in Argentine culture and taking advantage of living with a host family and learning from them.