Month: October 2023

Midterms in France

Published on by sarahblaiserLeave a comment

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This week has been quite hectic because it is the dreaded time of the semester when midterms roll in. I was informed before going abroad for school, that different countries would have different teaching and grading styles compared to the United States.

My experience so far has been pretty mild compared to some midterm weeks I have had at DU. The teachers know things are a bit hectic, so they try to spread things out for everyone. This past week I had three exams, and this coming week I have one exam and two papers. There is much to do, but the teachers want you to succeed, so communicating with them will really help.

At my school, we were told if you have more than two exams on one day, then they will work with you to reschedule any other ones that may fall on the same day. If you talk to your professors they are really good about helping rearrange things so that you aren’t too stressed.

Since most schools abroad revolve around a semester schedule and not the quarter schedule we are used to, there may be more material on exams. Talking with your professor to go in for office hours to have a review session is really helpful. If you or your professor isn’t available out of class time, ask if you can do a review session in class. Professors will at the very least answer a few questions after class to help you succeed.

Besides communicating with your professors, communicate with your classmates as well! Classes are much smaller abroad so it is really easy to get to know almost everyone in your class. Try to meet up for study sessions or go over notes with a friend. Having another person to ask questions or bounce ideas off of is very helpful.

Communication with those around you is the best tip for succeeding during midterm week. Besides that, find a good cafe with wifi and study! As long as you attend class and communicate with your teacher, you should be set.

What if I don’t want to go home?

Published on by Juliet ELeave a comment

Okay, so maybe they were right. Maybe all those former study-abroad students I spoke to before coming to Argentina weren’t crazy. They would go on and on about the life-changing magic of their experiences abroad, and in the same breath, they would remind me – or rather warn me: reentering the U.S. would likely be a difficult transition, maybe even more than leaving home. At the time, this didn’t make much sense. I was anxious about studying abroad. I wasn’t entirely confident in my language skills or in my ability to make friends, adapt to culture shock, or deal with homesickness. (The list goes on). There was so much uncertainty surrounding study abroad and it scared me. There was no doubt that I wanted to go to Argentina; but I also really, really wanted to come back. I didn’t understand why the transition back to regular American life could be so challenging.

And now I do. My anxiety blinded me from imagining just how wonderful life abroad could be. I pictured myself struggling through all the potential hardships and it overshadowed my ability to picture myself enjoying the marvels of studying abroad. Now that I’m actually here and having the time of my life, I truly get it. I understand why so many of my friends had a hard time returning home. 

Some of that Argentine sunshine

I am very conscious that I only have six weeks left in Buenos Aires. I’m doing my absolute best to take advantage of this time, but I’m already starting to dread leaving. I’ve built an entirely new world here and the fact is I don’t want to abandon it. I don’t want to abandon my wonderful new friends, my host mom, my cozy little room, the incredible Argentine sunshine, or all my little rituals that I’ve worked so arduously to establish here. Somehow it feels like I just got here, like I’m just starting to find solid footing in Buenos Aires, and just as soon I have to leave. 

Although I won’t know for certain until I land in Denver, I’m predicting that the hardest aspect of my homecoming will be adapting to my usual life of responsibility. I have endless free time here. No job, no homework, no family duties. I do whatever I want and I adore it. My life back home is far from humdrum, but it is demanding to keep up with all the obligations of student life. Besides, I will miss the culture here. The pre-study abroad version of me might not have believed it, but I will miss being surrounded by Spanish. I will miss the languid Argentine lifestyle, their love for asado, and their lively conversation. I’ve been living like an Argentine for months now. Just as it was difficult to upend my life and move abroad, it will be difficult to shift in reverse.

However, I think it would be a mistake to expect this reverse culture shock to be dooming. I can’t wait to go home and be able to hug my boyfriend, eat chicken tikka masala, and sleep in my own bed with my own pictures on the walls. I can’t wait to spend a white Christmas with the loving family that I’ve missed so much. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my experience in Argentina, it’s that I am adaptable. (Something about what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?) When I left the U.S., I worried I’d never survive in Buenos Aires. Now here I am in Buenos Aires worrying I’ll never survive in the U.S. Things will be just fine. And anyway, I still have a month and a half to live out the rest of my Argentine dreams; I’d better use it well.