- Name
- Mohit
- Study Programme
- BI/BA
- Semester
- 2nd Semester
- Host Institution
- Univ. Tecnológica Nacional (UTN)
- Location
- San Rafael, Argentina
- Period
- April to July 2022
Funding
DAAD scholarship
What was your main motivation to go abroad?
If I talk about specifically my motivation to travel to Argentina, then we have to go back ten years ago in the year 2011 or 2012. I was pursing my bachelor's degree in India. I was crazy about motorcycle road trips. And that’s why I came across the movie "The Motorcycle Diaries" based on the road trip done by Che Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado in South America. Back then I didn't know anything about the world map or even the map of India. But the movie was so beautifully made, and it left me so inspired that I really felt connected to it. Then in the year 2017, I joined a Spanish language course in Delhi in India and we heard about the same movie on Che Guevara. Then I got to know that the language of the movie is Spanish. Earlier I watched it like any other English movie with subtitles. I watched it again in Spanish and really loved it now. In the years 2018 to 2020, when I started travelling full time after leaving my IT job, I watched this movie or clips of movie like multiple times. Listened to its music again and again and always dreamt of travelling in South America one day or may be doing a road trip in any country in South America. In 2021 to 2022, I travelled to Germany to pursue my masters and we had this opportunity to travel to Argentina for international semester. I would say I was manifesting this dream of mine to go to Argentina for ten years and it got completed in a way I would have never ever imagined. All my stars were aligned right to pursue this dream. And I did a road trip on a motorcycle in Argentina.
I think it’s very important to stay abroad in a country specially where they don’t speak your language. It is a great chance to explore and learn many things. It will help you grow as a person.
What were your biggest concerns?
I feel there were many concerns in my mind like language, currency exchange, accommodation, food, etc. But eventually I could overcome them. Like I knew Spanish language little bit which really helped me and because most of the people don’t speak English in Argentina, I was forced to speak their language which turned out really beneficial for me. I could improve my Spanish and I found out that if you know the language then it’s really easy to connect to people. For currency exchange I used Western Union. Food and accommodation I really figured out after reaching there. I had booked only ten days hostel in Buenos Aires from Germany and my final accommodation in Mendoza I figured out there itself. Food wasn’t a very big problem for me. The food in Argentina is cheap and amazing. And I could cook most of the time in hostels. It turned out a very beautiful experience for me.
Would you recommend a stay abroad? Why?
Yes, 100%. And I would highly recommend everyone to travel to Argentina once in their lifetime. I have met most friendly and lovingly people in my life in Argentina. They live their lives for a day and not worry a lot. They welcome tourists with their open heart. I mean you’re walking on a street and everywhere they greet you “Hola! Hola!”. They’re cute, a very good sense of humor and full of life. I think we all have many misconceptions about other cultures, countries, etc. I think it’s very important to stay abroad in a country specially where they don’t speak your language. It is a great chance to explore and learn many things. It will help you grow as a person.
What did you learn from your stay abroad?
There are so many things I learned from travelling in South America. First of all, I could improve my Spanish language. Most of the time I was speaking only in Spanish. I could get myself out from my comfort zone. There was a time when I was travelling, doing a part time job, giving my exams simultaneously all by myself. Of course, sometimes it was a bit frustrating, but I knew it is going to end soon. I learned about their culture, food and I could make so many friends in Argentina. I am much more confident now to travel anywhere in the world.
Were your expectations met?
To be honest, I didn’t have many expectations from my stay abroad. And that’s why everything ended up very beautifully. For me it was a very big thing that I could get an opportunity to travel to Argentina. I still remember when I landed on Buenos Aires airport. I can never forget it. The dream I had for so long turned into reality. Also, cherry on cake was after finishing my semester I travelled to Bolivia and Peru. And these countries are totally different. There are more native people in Bolivia and Peru from South America. I also did vlogging about my experiences in South America. The only thing is I couldn’t edit all my videos, but you can still watch some here (opens in a new window). On Instagram, I posted about my experiences if you’re interested you can check out here (opens in a new window).
Is there anything you would like to highlight about your experience abroad?
Well, there are so many beautiful things happened like I tried the national drink “Mate” from Argentina. I had my first tattoo, i. e. “its Mate with Che”. I had Empanadas in Argentina, also learned to make them. I did couchsurfing and stayed with a local family. I got invited by a friend on her nephew’s birthday. I had a Tango workshop. I also visited Salt flats in Argentina and Bolivia. I got a chance to go to Amazonas in Bolivia. I also did volunteering in an Arts school in Peru where I taught English to Students. I could visit Machu Picchu in Peru. I think the list is endless and I’m always in debt to the people who helped me to fulfill this dream of mine. I would specially mention Miss Sylvia Göbel from HNU Administration who helped me throughout the process. She’s an amazing lady.
Fun Fact
The Spanish dialect in Argentina is totally different. For example, they don’t say “Vale” (Ok in English), they say it “Dale” in Argentina. They don’t use “Tu”, they say “Vos”. Also, empanadas from Argentina are best in the world and there’s no debate in that. And football is the religion for them. So, get some knowledge about football. I didn’t have it and I got embarrassed many times. :P And don’t ask them the dinner time. They think about cooking dinner around 10 PM or can be much late.
Impressions of Argentina
