As my time in Argentina winds down, I can honestly say this is an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Over the past two weeks, I’ve learned more than I ever expected especially since I am a business major learning about a field, I was so unfamiliar with before. From lectures and hospital visits to just wandering the streets of Buenos Aires, every day brought something new.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was seeing firsthand how differently healthcare can be structured around the world. Learning about Argentina’s public, private, and obras sociales sectors showed me that there can be many different ways to provide care to people in need. However, each still comes with their own strengths and weaknesses. Watching how access to care shifts depending on where someone lives or what they can afford was eye-opening in a way that you need to experience to gain a full understanding. It also made me think differently about how culture, economic factors, and all levels of government all quietly shape the way healthcare actually works on the ground.

Beyond the academic side of things, this trip pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t really expect. Navigating a new country, practicing my Spanish, trying food I’d never heard of, and putting myself in uncomfortable situations all developed skills that I would never have been able to back home. I came back feeling more independent and a lot more open to new experiences than when I left.

Finally, the people truly did make the place. Whether we were walking through the city, having fun after our activities for the day, or touring hospitals and universities together, those moments stuck with me just as much as anything I learned in a lecture.