Argentina: Ava Pallan
Program: UW Activism through the Arts, Winter Intersession
Major: Spanish
What is your most memorable experience from your program?
My most memorable experience from the program was visiting Parque de la Memoria and the ESMA museum. Being physically present at these sites made Argentina’s history feel real in a way that readings or lectures never could. Walking through the park and seeing the memorials dedicated to the victims of the dictatorship was deeply emotional and helped me better understand the lasting impact of state violence and forced disappearances. Visiting the ESMA was especially powerful because it transformed abstract historical facts into lived human experiences. These visits encouraged me to reflect on memory, justice, and the importance of remembering the past so that it is not repeated.
How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?
The program’s academics were different from taking classes at UW–Madison because learning extended beyond the classroom and into real-world experiences. Instead of only reading about historical events or cultural concepts, we were able to visit the actual places we were studying, which made the material feel more tangible and meaningful. Being physically present at these sites helped deepen my understanding and allowed me to connect theory with lived reality. For example, hearing the number of 30,000 disappeared people of the Argentine dictatorship was much different than I imagined when I actually saw all 30,000 names listed on the stone walls at Parque de la Memoria. As a result, the learning felt more impactful and memorable, since seeing and experiencing these locations firsthand reinforced what we discussed in class and made the lessons resonate on a deeper level.
Being physically present at these sites made Argentina’s history feel real in a way that readings or lectures never could. These visits encouraged me to reflect on memory, justice, and the importance of remembering the past so that it is not repeated.
How will your experience benefit you in the future? How might it affect your future career or studies?
This experience will benefit me in the future because it allowed me to practice Spanish on a daily basis, which significantly improved my fluency and confidence when speaking. Being immersed in a Spanish-speaking environment pushed me to communicate in real-life situations rather than relying on classroom knowledge, helping me think more naturally in the language. This increased confidence will be valuable in both my future studies and career, especially in fields that require strong communication skills. Being able to speak Spanish fluently will allow me to connect more effectively with Spanish-speaking patients, colleagues, or communities and be better prepared to work in diverse settings.