Final Traveler Reflection

It’s officially been two months since I returned home from Argentina & I’m still filled with all of the feelings and emotions I shared about when leaving in my last post. But, now more than ever, I am filled with so much gratitude for having been able to live and experience this past year. The last month has been filled with so many reunions, all of which start with “How was Argentina?” and my response is always “It was so amazing!” because I’m still not quite sure how to summarize my time abroad without oversharing and spending hours talking about all of the incredible experiences I had. So, I’m going to try my best and consolidate it all into this post as honestly and concisely as I can. 

I spent the last year of my life living in Mendoza, Argentina working alongside the Mayor in the Office of Economic Development, focusing on researching and developing social impact projects to implement in the city to further support initiatives that aim to improve the lives and wellbeing of under-resourced communities and individuals. I had the opportunity to act as an engaged member of the city’s social economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem through specializing in creating meaningful, lasting connections to inspire growth and collaboration. In this, I spent time observing and strengthening a variety of areas within the municipality through offering new perspectives and ideas in order to support the growth and improvement of current and future practices. 

Adjusting to life in Mendoza was equal parts exciting and challenging. Having studied abroad there I knew a little bit about the cultural differences that I would have to adapt to, but knowing them and experiencing them are two very different things. I knew that meals happened later and took longer, but I didn’t know how I would feel after experiencing a four hour 9pm dinner or a day-long Sunday asado lunch. I knew that their way of living was more relaxed than ours, but I didn’t know what it was like to have a five hour work day with relaxed deadlines. I knew that the country was in a severe economic crisis, but I didn’t know what it was like to have the price of groceries change drastically every single time I stepped foot in a grocery store. I knew that Argentinians were friendly and welcoming, but I didn’t know what it was like for complete strangers to go completely out of their way to make me feel comfortable and at home. Now, I can confidently say that I have experienced the passion, vibrance, and resilience of Argentina and it is absolutely beautiful. 

There are two moments that I think of in particular that really summarize my time in Mendoza well. During my time abroad I wanted to prioritize seeing the world, so I had the opportunity to travel around outside of Mendoza a bit. One of my favorite and most memorable trips that I took was to Buenos Aires. I spent a long weekend with my friends fitting as much as possible into just a few quick days, and it was truly the most fun I have ever had. We went to a concert, rode on a bus tour, visited so many iconic streets and monuments, and got to experience an even more vibrant culture of Argentina. It was the best experience and I dream of going back again. I also had the opportunity to host a group of visitors from Nashville in Mendoza, as a part of the work I was doing. It was an incredibly surreal experience showing a group of strangers from my “old home” this “new home” that I had been living in. It was such an honor to be able to share a place I love with others and to be able to watch them fall in love with it too. It was also amazing to be able to connect with this diverse group of individuals professionally, as they were each a part of Sister Cities of Nashville, an organization that has so many incredible initiatives to connect our city with the rest of the world.

Mendoza not only changed me, but it is my deepest hope that I changed it in some small way. My time there is marked by both internal and external impact. It’s an understatement to say that I experienced immense personal growth while living abroad. This past year has changed the way I look at the world, the way I interact with the people around me, the things that I value, the relationships I hold, and the way I walk through life. I proved to myself that I can do things that are hard and scary, and succeed anyways. I learned to trust the people around me, and listen to the ones that support and uplift me. I learned that life is full of seasons that are interconnected, and each one is beautiful on its own and connects to an even bigger and more beautiful picture. I learned how to work in a completely new professional culture, and effectively communicate in a language that is not my own. I also know that my time in Mendoza had an external impact. I brought skills and ideas that were new and innovative. I built relationships with people that will bear fruit for many years. I developed programs and projects that will help and support numerous communities for the very first time. I am so proud of the way I grew internally and inspired growth around me externally, and I am so thankful to Lumos for giving me the opportunity to do that. 

My advice to anyone considering pursuing a Lumos project is simple: just do it! I know it’s scary. I know there are a lot of unknowns. I know it may be untraditional. I know it may not be what all of your friends are doing. But, just do it. It will change your life. I promise. 

For future travelers, my advice is easier said than done: let go. Let go of any fear that you have. Let go of any expectations that you have, even if you don’t realize you have them yet. Let go of any bias or cultural “norms” that you are bringing with you from home. Embrace this experience. Take it day by day. Enjoy every second of it. 

I am so honored that I was entrusted with this opportunity and am eternally grateful to the Lumos Foundation for giving me the chance to experience the world in this way. I will carry all of these memories and lessons with me for the rest of my life, and will always look back on this past year as the most amazing and formative time.

With love, Sarah