I can’t believe that today is my last day in Argentina. It’s hard to accept that it’s over. Even though good times must end, the friendships made along the way will always remain.
The most valuable part of my journey was the knowledge I gained and the relationships I formed with the people I met. Although I didn’t know anyone before starting my trip, I now feel like I’ve known them for years despite only spending two weeks together.
In a short period, I absorbed a lot of information. During my trip to Argentina, I gained expertise in their healthcare system. Although it may seem complicated at first, I now understand it thoroughly. As a nursing student, I enjoyed visiting hospitals and clinics and speaking with doctors and nurses about their work. Sadly, many public hospitals have less technological innovation than private ones. For example, in 2023, most public hospitals in Argentina still rely on paper records only. This makes the employer’s job more complicated than necessary. Private hospitals, on the other hand, have electronic records, creating an environment for their hospital to run smoothly. For example, I saw a live-action heart surgery via a projector at the cardiovascular clinic, the closest thing I could get to the clinic since we started them in sophomore year. I was amazed, and my eyes were glued to the screen.

During our trip, we had many enjoyable experiences. One day, we got lost in La Boca, and another day, my friend Ann Barney and I went on a 3-hour shopping spree to find her a specific shirt at various I Heart gift stores. I didn’t mind walking around because it helped me reach my daily step count. It’s tough to choose a favorite moment, but for me, it was during dinner last night at cero5. The steak was terrific, the best I’ve ever had, and I finished my ribeye in just 10 minutes. The service was fantastic, and we all enjoyed laughing and joking around. Salma even taught our server a funny dance move. Every night, going out to dinner was an adventure, whether trying new foods or just bonding as a group and being the loudest ones in the restaurant, which earned us weird stares from other patrons. We also tried tango today, and I’m proud to say I walked out of it without any injuries. My first partner, Marrisa, and I were professionals, but we had to switch partners, and I ended up with Jake, which was a roller coaster ride, but we had a great time laughing and listening to the beat of the music. We also experienced ranch culture by trying blood sausage, which wasn’t my favorite, but I tried it—that day brought back memories of being a kid, riding bikes, shooting archers, and playing ping pong tournaments.
I want to thank Grant and Lynnea for acting as parental figures during our unforgettable journey and for organizing the trip and never thought it would be possible during my first year of college. However, it was the best decision I have ever made, as it has helped me in my nursing career and heightened my awareness of global health. I am even motivated to learn Spanish fluently at some point. PSA- Mafalda is Queen