My second Host family who I will live with from May
I have been in Argentina for nearly a month and a half now and although things were a little rough to start, I am happy to say I am now having the absolute time of my life!
I have just recently started school and I am enjoying the differences both in the classroom and with the people. I am going to a small, private school about an hour from my house (early wake ups for me!) and stay with the same class for the entire day. In Argentina, for the last year of school all of the students attend a ‘upd’ the night before the first day of school. The ‘upd’ is a party to celebrate the last first day of school for Year 13, so of course I attended and had the best time. We danced and partied all Tuesday night and then went to our first day with no sleep! I didn’t sleep for 30 hours and let me tell you, bed that night has never felt so good!
My class is like a small family, and I have been welcomed in with open arms! I am enjoying learning chemistry, philosophy and some political sciences all in Spanish, it really is so cool! We start school at 7.30am and we finish at 1.30pm meaning we have the afternoons free. The people in my class think that my name is really strange, and whenever it is said in the roll call, I hear my name echoing around the room which is so funny. Sometimes I hear people just repeating my name to practice and laughing about it which is so strange! The girls from my class often have a drink at a café or dairy after school and it is so nice to learn about their country and lives while sharing about mine. My school friends think it is especially awesome that our schools in NZ have lockers!
Proud to be 'Made in New Zealand'
I also have a very close group of exchange students living in my city which means that I have the opportunity to meet students from all over the world! While we all come from completely different backgrounds we are so connected and it has made me realise that the world really is a small place.
RYE Inbounds from France, Belgium, Turkey and Italy
I am also completely in love with so many differences in this country, especially the traditional food here! I often eat empanadas for dinner with my friends or ‘lomitos’ which is like a long sandwich that you can order to your house. The meat here is so delicious and I have fallen in love with the argentine barbecue or ‘asado’. I am hoping to have the chance to experience alot more of these as the year goes on! The fact that I have no sugar in my tea or coffee also really freaks people out too! The culture here is also very, very social which means my friends are always doing something and I am always busy! In the last month and a half I haven’t gone to bed before midnight one time, so I am having an awesome nightlife. The people I have met have all been so friendly as well as so understanding of my attempt at Spanish which has made learning so much easier!
One of my favourite meals so far at the home of my second host family. Very cool to cook your dinner in the middle of the table!
I was lucky enough to spend the week in Mar del Plata with Leo and his family
I want to thank Papakura Rotary with every bit of my heart for giving me the biggest opportunity of my life so far. I’ve learnt so much already and I’m sure I’ll continue to grow both as a person and as an ambassador for NZ. The people I have met and the places I have been have amazed me and without Papakura Rotary’s support I know this wouldn’t have been possible. This little kiwi is loving life in Argentina! Time really does fly when you are having fun.