In the beginning of the chapter, Paige talks about how there are three different types of adjustments - physical, social, and internal. Physical adjustments for me in Argentina have been the differences in transportation (waiting in line for a bus, taking a taxi, or walking), the food (eating almost every meal with bread or pasta), schools (2 hour long classes MINIMUM), or in general just living in a city. These adjustments involve changes in both routine, and what I am normally used to seeing/using. Then there are the social adjustments. These people are usually more judgmental about - the cultural differences between beliefs and ways of living life. For instance, in Argentina, I have learned that people are always waiting in line - waiting for their meat/produce to be weighed, waiting for the bus, waiting for the bank, waiting for lunch. It's tiring! At times, I think about what I could be doing instead of waiting in line. However, when I talked with my host mom, Cris, she says that that is how life is here. EVERYONE has to wait. Of course, there are various ways to raise a family/interact within a family as I talked in a previous blog post. At first, it was definitely overwhelming trying to adjust to the social differences because I was not familiar with the customs and I was so used to living life in a certain way back at home or at Wartburg. Finally, there is the internal adjustment. This is more personal, in how I adapt and find a happy-medium with my own identity between the United States and Argentina. For me, I think it's the adjustment where I choose what is really important to me and what I would be fine changing..
As I mentioned earlier, students go through numerous phases while they are studying abroad - it's like an emotional rollercoaster. Of course, in addition to solely sharing what the stages are, I'll fill you in where I am and where I expect to be in this ride through life:
1. Cultural Euphora: As you may guess from the title, during stage one, students usually feel really excited to be in a new place and think that everything about their new country is "awesome." It's exciting to be living a new life and learning something new! Since everything appears to be so interesting and fun, it may be hard for students to really understand what life is really like because they are blinded by their focus on what is new. Personally, I am not sure how much I was really in this phase. When I came to Argentina, almost immediately I wanted to be back at Wartburg. I thought the city was ugly, loud, and dirty! For once, I wouldn't have minded being in a small town surrounded by corn fields.After during a May Term in 2011 in Costa Rica, I was aware of some of the new perspectives and ways of living that I would be experiencing. Therefore, I was just not won over by the spell of Argentina's charm right away.
2. Cultural Confrontation: During this stage, reality kicks in. Students realize they're not at home and may be missing what they know. This is where I am now. For instance, I miss being able to walk five minutes to Vogel library to study in a calm, quiet, and comfortable setting instead of staying at my home where either my computer, my phone, or my host siblings were distracting me. I miss playing frisbee, being close to my friends, and even eating in the Mensa. However, that's not my life for now. I AM HERE. Usually, there is a rock-bottom point during this stage too where people may act... irrational to say the least. I reached that point yesterday. Yesterday was supposed to be the day that I would finally receive my student visa. I had filled out all of my forms, paid what I needed to pay, and brought everything that I needed. When (finally) my name was called up, I went up to the desk and after a few short minutes, I was told that my passport number on my antcedentes penales was invalid. I had noticed this before I came and forgot to mention something, so when he told me that I would have to go back to another building to get it corrected, I could hardly get myself together. As I was leaving and people were asking me what was going on, I started to cry. Normal Kjerstin would have just gone to the other building (and would probably be grumpy, but would do it anyway). Stage two Kjerstin finally had enough. I was frustrated to a point where I just couldn't hold it inside anymore. I had to let it go. Later, after going to the other building and being told that I would have to start the entire visa process over again, I was furious and sick for Wartburg. I wanted normality and was tired of how difficult everything was. I spent the rest of the day calming myself down and connecting with some of my friends to remind me why I am here and that everything will be alright when I return. This is a phase. It will pass. Yesterday was that moment that I had been aware would come; the moment of my freak out.
3. Cultural Adjustment: Stage three is coming! I keep telling myself because I know that it's true. During this stage I finally feel capable of making my way here in Argentina. I will be able to speak well enough, know enough of the customs, and will be comfortable with the life that I am living. I know that since I finally have a routine with classes and activities that this stage should not be too far away.
4. Cultural Adaptation: This is the phase which personally seems way too far away and slightly impossible to reach. This is when I will have complete confidence in my capabilities AND I will have successfully integrated some of the Argentine values into my lifestyle. Why don't I think that I can get here? First of all, I feel like learning a language is very difficult and takes time. With people who understand that I am an exchange student, it is easier. However, when I am the only person NOT from Argentina in a group, sometimes it can be overwhelming. For instance, like when I am in linear algebra and my professor is explaining a theory and I have absolutely no idea what she's saying. Or the times where I am hanging out with my friends and they are all deep in a conversation and I so busy trying to comprehend what is going on that I forget to participate in the conversation. Can I really get to a point where all of this will change? I am 1/3 of the way done with my program. We will see as time goes by how I will change. And of course, I will keep you updated through it all.
Life. It's been full of surprises. There have been ups and downs and there are bound to be many more. However, being able to create my life here is what I am looking for. So if crying every once and a while is what it takes to get there, bring it on!
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| English Talk Happy Hour AKA: Drinking mate and chatting with Argentinians in English |
