This morning, we visited the University of Austral, where we got a glimpse into the college experience of local students. The campus felt very different from Pitt, as it’s a smaller, more rural school with around 5,000 undergraduate students, located about an hour outside the city. Instead of busy streets and high-rise buildings, the university features open green spaces and walking paths, with most classes held in a single main building.

We attended a talk from a nursing professor and a few recent graduates, who shared insights about Argentina’s healthcare system and the values that shape the university. One surprising takeaway was how underappreciated and underpaid nurses are in Argentina, especially compared to doctors. Because doctors receive far more respect and compensation, many students choose that path instead. As a result, nurses are in short supply and often need to work second jobs just to make a sustainable income.

Later, we toured the university’s hospital, which operates in the private healthcare sector. Staff there face unique challenges, not only with the nationwide shortage of nurses, but also because the country’s unstable economy makes it difficult to plan ahead. With inflation and a constantly shifting currency, salaries are unpredictable and often need to be renegotiated, leaving many uncertain about their financial future.