Studying abroad has been a goal of mine since high school; I was excited to know that GW offers many options, and I am happy to be doing a GW exchange program through University Torcuato Di Tella in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I am majoring in international affairs with a concentration in Latin America and a second major in Spanish, which made Argentina an excellent fit for me to study abroad. I hadn’t realized how different a GW Study Program and a third-party program would be from an exchange program until now; I feel an exchange program was the best decision for me. Although I think it was much more work on my end to find housing, figure out transportation and meals, and make relationships, I feel it was 100% worth the experience.
I found an apartment at a great price in a lovely neighborhood of Buenos Aires near my university’s school bus. I live with my two friends, one from GW and another from Argentina, who studied abroad last semester at GW; this is a great way to still get to know Argentinian culture at home from an Argentinian while having tons of independence of living on your own. There are many exchange students at my university, Torcuato Di Tella and many of my close friends are also exchange students from all over the world. Taking classes in both Spanish and English allows me to make friends with other Argentinians and international students.
Buenos Aires is a fantastic city and is so large it feels like I will never be able to see it all. There is never a dull moment with so many people,
restaurants, events, and neighborhoods that feel like little cities.
Argentina is such a large country, with beautiful landscapes outside the city. While it can be more difficult to travel out of the country due to distance, there are mountains, valleys, waterfalls, rivers, glaciers, salt flats, vineyards, and so much to see while in the country. Through a GW exchange program, it has been great to have total independence and freedom, and you can travel as much or as little as you want. I have loved going on trips with other international students, where we have become great friends, and travelling with local Argentinians who shown us their home country and culture.
So far, I have been to Mendoza with a group of exchange students, known for its beautiful mountains and vineyards. Currently, I am visiting my roommate’s home and family in Salta, the North of Argentina, known for its scenic valleys and vineyards. I hope to plan a few more trips to Iguazu Falls to see the gorgeous waterfalls, possibly Brazil and hopefully visit Patagonia in the winter to see snow in the Andes mountains. Still, I am having the best time experiencing Argentina and learning about many other countries and cultures.
Emma Ramos
GW Exchange - Universidad Torcuato di Tella
Spring 2023
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs and Spanish and Latin American Languages, Literatures and Cultures Major