Arriving in Buenos Aires: Combating Homesickness

I always knew I wanted to study abroad at some point in my college career. As soon as I realized I had a summer open I jumped on the opportunity to go to Buenos Aires. As the date came closer, I couldn't be more excited. I met an amazing Porteño lady on the plane and she told me about her life in Buenos Aires and how much she loves Argentinean food and culture. She told me about the beautiful milongas, the juicy steaks, the parillas, the rich coffees, and creamy ice creams. I couldn't be happier to be landing in Buenos Aires within a few hours.

Nothing could be more perfect than the first couple days of my arrival. I was blessed with an amazing roommate and a host mom with a heart of gold. I was experiencing my firsts of being a Porteño already: I drank mate, started eating dinner at 10, went to a milonga, and danced the tango. After that week, I started to feel very homesick and at certain points I wanted to leave and be in the comfort of my hometown and my own bed. I was not expecting myself to fall a victim to homesickness in the slightest. I've been away from my family without any problems and was not expecting this at all. 



My one piece of advice for people who might feel homesick is to hang in there! Homesickness is completely normal, especially when being thrown into an entire new culture, language, and country. It will pass after a while and every individual has their own way of transitioning into this huge experience. Two days later I felt completely adjusted and with each and every day I spend in Buenos Aires I fall more in love with this city. 







"Zainab B is a CEA onsite student in Buenos Aires for Summer 2018. She studies Biology and Spanish at the University of Illinois at Chicago"

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