As I write this at my gate waiting for my flight to Buenos Aries, I still can not believe that I will be studying abroad. Before transferring to Rollins I tried to study abroad but my previous institution made it very complicated for students to do so. When I transferred in the Fall of 2018 I knew I was going to make it happen. As a first-generation Mexican American student whose parents migrated to the states from Mexico for a better life, maneuvering college and life can be very challenging. My identity reflects my parents identity. I am the product of hard working immigrants who’ve fought very hard to live comfortably in San Francisco. I am privileged to be a U.S. citizen, more so as a dual citizen in Mexico as well. My identity helps me better connect to those with similar stories as my parents or stories like mine as a first-gen. I’ve only traveled to Mexico and Guatemala, yet my identity and experiences have allowed me to make great friendships and memories that I will cherish forever.
Although I am at an advantage because I speak Spanish, my disadvantage is that I do not know how life will be in Argentina. In terms of how do Porteños view the world differently from me… I do not know but wish to find out. I want to know their views on Persónism and the current political climate in Argentina. I am well educated on the history of Argentina and hope that will give me an advantage when discussing politics in Buenos Aires.
Identity in Latin America is very fluid, identities change constantly. As a LAC (Latin American and Caribbean Studies) student and as a Latina, my identity will change once I land. I will attempt to assimilate to Argentine culture and attempt to fit in as a Porteña. Although my Spanish is drastically different from theirs, as I do not use ‘vos’, I hope that my transition will be easy.
Boarding now…