Thoughts before leaving

First of all - welcome to my Buenos Aires blog! This is where I will keep track of my adventures and activities as I explore the lovely city of Buenos Aires for my semester abroad at NYU. I am writing from the Logan Airport in Boston - about to board my flight to Newark and then off I will go to Argentina.

I chose to spend a semester in Buenos Aires primarily because it is a Spanish-speaking country. Spanish has never been my best subject, but I have always wanted to be bilingual. If there is one goal I have for these next four months, it is to become fluent or at least proficient in Spanish. Living with a host family, surrounding myself with the culture, and taking three classes all in Spanish next semester will certainly help.

(I am quite nervous about my ability to speak Spanish, and whether or not I will be able to survive taking three classes in a language that I am at best mildly capable of communicating in, not to mention finding my way around an entirely Spanish and Portugese-speaking continent)

Buenos Aires also appealed to me because the culture and history of Argentina is incredible. In high school I took a class where we learned a bit about Argentinian history, particularly los desaparecidos. The violence and turmoil of Argentina's recent past still has an impact on the people living there today, and I want to try to learn as much about this as possible.  

It's snowing and cold here in Boston, so it's hard to believe that soon I will be somewhere where it is 88 degrees and sunny.

My luggage before I left. I'm pretty impressed that I managed to get everything into three bags - one checked, one carryon and a backpack. As you can see, I also have a sleeping pillow for the 11 hour, red-eye flight to Argentina and my trusty Sperrys. It also helps that it will be summer in BsAs - no heavy coats or boots to pack.

I am pretty nervous at this point. Obviously it is far too late to change my mind about any of this, and this is absolutely something I want to do, but whenever I take risks like this I always find myself questioning everything at the last minute.

I lived the first 17 years of my life in a very safe, predictable way. Going to school in New York was something I was initially terrified by, it has been rewarding in ways I can't even explain. Even though I'm afraid right now, there is little doubt in my mind (underneath all the layers of anxiety) that this is the right decision.

I'll try to update this blog every Sunday or Monday. If you are reading this you are probably someone I am friends with from high school, NYU, or a member of my family -- remember to stay in touch! I am still available for contact through the internet...just don't try calling or texting me.