Visiting Argentina was my first time in Latin America, or more specifically, my first time anywhere south of a US state. I had no idea what to expect. I arrived slightly ashamed of my Spanish-speaking skills and nervous about my upcoming disconnect from the internet. Every airport I have been to has been very similar. All of them also have horrifically long TSA lines and I always end up messing something up, which I guess is a universal experience. Granted, the only airport I have been to outside of the US was Rome, so I guess you could say the Buenos Aires airport was very reminiscent of Italy. Actually, Buenos Aires itself is very reminiscent of Europe. I felt like I was right back in Italy, surrounded by humidity and people speaking a language I did not understand. I was so used to the roads of College Station and Houston, the only two places I have been lately, that I forget about the driving culture in other countries. I often forget that most other countries have manual cars. I love to travel and appreciate the small things of other cultures such as this. I am also a manual driver, so I feel at home abroad. Argentina was our gateway to Antarctica, the white continent, and the most beautiful place in the world.
My initial impression of the sustainable business program is that the program offers a rare opportunity for students of any age and educational background to collaborate. This is the first program and class (IBUS 320) in which I have been surrounded by people of diverse educational backgrounds. The class itself, Global Sustainable Business, was surprisingly applicable to my degree, as I deeply study human geography, resource management, and sustainability. However, I know this was not the case for the majority of my classmates. I loved hearing their input and perspective on topics I hear about so often. If at all possible, I have gained an even deeper understanding of the importance of environmental regulation and preservation, which I did not think was possible. Seeing the beauty of the last remote place on Earth will give anybody that perspective. I gain something every time I travel the world. I have gained an appreciation for other cultures and languages, for urban planners, and for food. I will never deny the chance to travel. Learning about the world helps me understand how to protect it. If anybody reading this gets the chance to travel to Antarctica, take it. You never know when an opportunity like this will melt away.
