What I am going to miss about Buenos Aires.

Today was my last day of class! I have officially survived Study Abroad. I got good grades in all of my classes and now I am done!

I am leaving BA tomorrow night and going home to Alaska to visit my family for a week before I return to Montana. I have a job at Big Sky for the winter, and my sister has a job at Moonlight Basin, so we are going to live in a two bedroom apartment in Big Sky starting November 15. I'm excited!!!

Naturally, all transitional times have pros and cons. I can't say I'm sad to miss the hottest time of year in Buenos Aires (it's already been super hot and humid for several weeks, I'm surprised I'm still alive), but there are some cultural differences that I have come to appreciate, people I have met, and places I have gone that I am going to miss.

Things I'll miss about BA:

1. Agua con gas [addicting!!]

2. Liria Evangelista, my Latin American Literature teacher...she inspired me in so many ways!

3. "El Boulder," the climbing gym I started going to last week (better late than never!)

4. The people at El Boulder who have taught me more about climbing, helped me, and shared their snacks.

5. The bus lines 29 and 152 (sounds weird, but you develop a love for the buses that always take you home).

6. My host family, especially my caring and understanding host mom.

7. Parque Las Heras, which is three blocks away from my host family's house and always a chill spot.

8. Ridiculously cheap (and always organic) fresh fruit and vegetables.

9. The lady at the laundromat I go to who learned how to spell my name correctly and recognizes me every time.

10. The man at the bookstore a few blocks from my house who also recognizes me and greets me every time I come in.

11. The friends I have made that helped me survive every class.

12. The ability to sleep in as late as I want every day (both a gift and a curse).

13. The opportunity to practice Spanish every day! Speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

I would be lying if I said every moment here has been amazing; study abroad has its ups and downs. But every moment is worthwhile in the end and I mean it when I say that I have emerged as a better person. My main reason to come here was to learn Spanish, but I have learned a lot about myself and about life. I truly think that everybody should have an experience like this and not stay inside a bubble their whole life. Get out of your comfort zone! You only regret the things in life you didn't do.