Conclusions

So my semester in Buenos Aires has come to a close. It's hard to believe that it's been 5 months since I left Indiana.

On one hand, I'm a little sad that the experience is over. I feel like I could've taken better advantage of my time here.

On the other hand, I'm proud of what I've achieved and thankful for the fun I've had. And I'm ready to go home. I fly out tomorrow night at 10pm and will land in Chicago O'Hare on Wednesday morning at 9am. (14 hours total, if you consider the time differences.)

Some reflections:
- I've learned a ton this semester, most of it outside the classroom. My Spanish finally has a native-like identity. It's about as Argentine as it can get now, and I couldn't be happier about that.
- I've built and strengthened friendships with several people- Bianca and Ariel primarily.
- I've learned how to live with people who don't like me; how to deal with people that don't like me because I'm American; and how not to let people's stares get to me.
- I've experienced (and survived) some hardships I'd never encountered before- getting pickpocketed, getting ripped off because I'm American, etc.
- I've overcome some very basic but very real fears- using public transportation, asking directions in a foreign language, traveling across a city of many millions by myself.
- I've learned not to mind several foods that I used to wrinkle my nose up at.

All that said, I think the biggest and most important thing I've learned this semester is gratitude. Gratitude for:

- the familiarity of home
- my family
- my friends
- my university
- my car
- clean air
- air conditioning
- washers and dryers
- dishwashers
- the efficiency/practicality Americans are famous for
- the constancy of God's love and care