If we are all going to be honest here, I didn't think I was going to make it this far. My first week of exchange was exciting and new, but I still wanted to go home. It is hard to explain the transition of homesickness my first week to falling in love with the country now because it feels so right here. One month is a big accomplishment for me because it actually went by fast. I only have 9 more months here to make the best of my exchange and I intend on savoring every moment of it.
What I've come to realize is that social media now is a huge part of exchange. This is both a blessing and curse. On one hand, you are always connected with people around you on exchange. Whenever you meet another exchange student it is almost a ritual to pull out your phones and exchange Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, twitter and more. However, social media does have its set backs on exchange. Trying to be "in the moment" can be difficult and sometimes impossible with a tiny screen sending notifications distracts you from the daily wonders you experience on exchange. There comes a point on one's exchange that you have to separate yourself from the world you left behind. It will always be there when you get back. You are going to be the one that grows in maturity and social media can hinder that growth if not controlled to a certain degree.
I have learned this past month that to be successful on exchange you have to keep yourself busy to be happy. As an exchange student you have the freedom to do what you want in a day, besides the requirement to go to school everyday. In that free time, you have to be independent and make the most of it. I have started cross fit at a local gym with one of my friends and I love it. I try to reach out to my friends as much as possible to hang out or do something after school. The great part about Argentina is as an exchange student, you instantly make a ton of friends. At this time now, I am figuring out the group of friends I want to invest my time with.
There are only about 2 and 1/2 weeks left until my trip to Patagonia with all of the exchange students from my district. I could not be more excited.
Chau for now
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