To Study Abroad

I don't really accept that I´m ¨studying abroad¨ (don't tell Oberlin) since my experience so far, in these last two months, has had little to do with school and studying, but adjusting to life in a different country.

Adjusting completely just does not seem plausible since I hold onto many things that make me American, and a distinct pride for my country comes out of this. Every day I know this place a little better, but out of that I miss the States. There is so much richness in our own culture that is easily overlooked. And the critic that I am of the United States, I'm surprised by how much I appreciate.

I've said many times to peers that my experience here happens much less to be about learning what it means to be an Argentine, than what it means to be an American. (By the way, here you aren´t supposed to refer to yourself as ´´americana´´ if you are from the United States because South Americans are also Americans.) I have had to articulate to myself and others what I represent or what I believe and then in turn analyze what about this makes me American. I think this is why I study Latin America : how do I reckon with my country, as it has perpetually messed up the entirety of Latin America for its citizens, while it grants me so much freedom?