Wow, I can speak Spanish

Leona from the Netherlands spent her exchange in Argentina.

I’ve always had a lust for traveling. When I was a little kid, I dreamt of moving to the United States, but turns out, I ended up falling hard for Argentina. Initially I went on exchange because I love learning about different cultures and meeting new people. But looking back, it feels like I was searching for a place to truly belong because, truth to be told, I never quite felt at home in my own country. I’m happy to say I found my home, my vibe, my personality – it’s all Argentina!

How was it to live with a host family?

It’s crazy how quickly I felt at home – within the first day of arriving at my new family’s doorstep! My host family was so much fun to be around, each member bringing their own unique charm to the table. My host mother was a true diva, adding glamour and energy to every moment. My host brother, now my lifelong best friend, was a caring soul. He always made sure I felt good and was having fun during my exchange year. I truly couldn’t have done it without him. And my host sister, with her goofy and confident attitude, filled every day with laughter. Despite all the challenges in their life, they were the kindest and most welcoming people I have ever met. I will never forget everything they have done for me.

How was school?

The school was so much fun. I went to a public school and wow, that surely was different! I still remember being in shock when I first got there, it looked like time had stood still. Everyone was still playing outside, having fun, being kids. Yeah, it was no fancy school. But I wouldn’t have wanted it in any other way.

Nobody spoke English so my English teacher took me to different classes and had everyone do ‘interviews’ with me. She would translate everything they said and asked. Those days were the most fun and interesting days of my life. I felt like a celebrity! People would come up to me and ask if they could take a picture with me or if they could get a hug.

Interestingly, I never had to hit the books much – I don’t think I took a single test. 😊 My classmates were fantastic, helping me learn Spanish, though our ‘active learning’ mostly involved lots of laughs and games.

Was it easy/hard to get friends?

In Argentina, making friends was easy, but finding meaningful connections took time. Since the start everyone was really friendly and tried to talk to me, I would come home every day with tons of new friends.

During the first part of my exchange, I struggled with finding “my” people. But when I did, it felt like I had won the lottery. My friend group in Argentina was nothing short of extraordinary. Each person has a unique place in my heart, the connection I have with them is truly special. Their humor became a daily source of joy, cheering me up in the most delightful ways. Besides the laughter, we shared a bond that allowed me to open up, cry, and be vulnerable, knowing they’d be there to comfort and support me.

They weren’t just special to me, they’re an irreplaceable part of me and my time in Argentina. They are my favorite chapter!

What was a big challenge for you? How did you conquer it?

My biggest challenge was definitely learning Spanish. I stepped on the plane to Argentina not knowing a single word in Spanish. Fast forward to now, I speak it fluently!

At first, I found myself comparing my progress to other exchange students who seemed to learn the language much quicker. A piece of advice? Never compare yourself to others! Once I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I took some Spanish classes provided by the organization. It was a real turning point for me, I quickly learned the language after.

One day you’ll realize, “Wow, I can speak Spanish”, and since that day it opened up countless opportunities. Trust me, overcoming the language barrier takes some effort, but it’s nothing you should be worried about.

What was the best thing about your exchange?

Probably the hardest question yet to answer. Can I just say everything? My exchange was literal perfection – not to say it didn’t come without its challenges.

But first and foremost, the people. It’s truly incredible how much love Argentinians have to give. Every day being greeted with hugs and kisses, playing around, having fun. It’s life changing to see how kind people treat each other, and how well they can express their love. People in The Netherlands can surely learn a lot from it!

Secondly, I have got to go with the dancing. You don’t want to know how many tears from joy I’ve had from seeing or dancing those traditional dances. All I feel at those moments is pure magic.