GRIP, Internships Abroad Traveling vs Working Abroad

Social Impact in Buenos Aires, Argentina

As is true of many GRIP interns, one of my favorite things to do is travel! I love experiencing different cultures, trying new foods, and learning about the history of unfamiliar places. In fact, I came to Buenos Aires with a list of places that I wanted to explore. As soon as we landed in Argentina, the other interns and I discussed weekend trips that we wanted to go on together (the top ones being Iguazu Falls, Salta, Mendoza, Bariloche in Patagonia, and Montevideo in Uruguay).

In all the excitement of being in a new place, I hadn’t really internalized that traveling abroad and working abroad are entirely different experiences. But, sure enough, when Monday morning rolled around and it was time for me to take the “Collectivo” (the bus) to work alone, there was a knot in my stomach. The smallest things felt so overwhelming. For instance, I needed to load money onto my “Sube” (bus card), and I had no idea where the nearest “Kiosco” was or how the bus system worked. I also had work-related fears. Would I be able to understand what my co-workers were saying to me when they spoke in Argentine Spanish? My direct supervisor also spoke hardly any English, so I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to understand parts of my assignments, let alone complete them well.

But when I arrived at work, my fears were alleviated. I realized that even though I am not 100% fluent in Spanish, my co-workers were still excited to get to know me. I could have casual conversations with them; all I had to do was ask them to speak more slowly and explain some of the Argentine slang phrases that I didn’t understand. I also made sure to ask for feedback on my work and communicate with my supervisor so that I understood my expectations and had tangible deadlines. Adjusting to speaking Spanish at work is certainly a challenge, but it has been so rewarding to see myself constantly improve as I work on meaningful projects.

Traveling abroad is an eye-opening experience. But working abroad builds a whole different skillset. In just the few weeks that I have been in Argentina, I have become more resilient and empathetic. Every day, grit and perseverance are what help me adjust to the work culture of an entirely new country. And as time passes, I become more and more at home, not just in my cozy Buenos Aires apartment, but also among my Asociación Sustentar co-workers.