In a little more than a week, I will begin my long awaited journey down to Buenos Aires. I have been anticipating this new experience in my life for almost a year, and I am feeling the way I usually do before any trip, international or domestic, long or short – “What on earth am I doing?!” Anxious, apprehensive, excited, nervous…many emotions rolled up in to one. I have lived abroad before, during my junior year of college in Granada, Spain.  I know that I can survive speaking the language, living in a new culture, meeting new people. But now that I am a so-called “adult”, this adventure is taking on a whole new meaning.

For the past three years, I had worked at an educational travel company full of young, vibrant people who have all traveled the corners of the globe and aren’t afraid to upstage each other with wild trips to foreign lands. However, now I’m starting to realize that this is not how the rest of the world lives. I had been living, contently, in a world where this was the norm, but felt that I was far behind the rest of my colleagues and peers having only traveled to 10 countries outside of the U.S. – including Canada. In the past couple months, as my departure has been nearing, I have spoken to many people who feel differently than I do about my travel accomplishments and aspirations. Their sentiments have made me both cautious and eager at the same time. As a 25 year old, I understand that sometimes I am naive about the world outside of my bubble, but at the same time I am grateful to have the chance to get out in to the world and figure out what is real. Let’s see who I can prove wrong, and who I’ll have to admit “You were right, {Mom…}”.

·         They hate Americans.  I am not very familiar with Argentina’s sentiments towards Americans, but I will say this about my past travels: Most people understand that American citizens are not the government/policymakers/military/you-name-it. The majority enjoy engaging in a debate about politics, and asking who you voted for, but rarely does the conversation become a finger-pointing game. Contrary to common belief, we Americans do not always stick out like a sore thumb. We usually stick out as tourists, but can trick anyone into believing we’re Canadian (if you so desire). On my last international trip to Brazil, everyone I met was delighted to learn more about America, practice their English, and ask about California.

·         You won’t be able to drink the water, and you’ll have to sleep with a bug net.  The water in Buenos Aires is known to be safe to drink, but I will stay away from drinking fountains – the same as I would in the states. Malaria can be a problem in parts of Argentina, but being proactive and using bug spray should help to keep any pesks away.

·         Buenos Aires is, like, the most dangerous city in the world. Hmm…this is an interesting one (sorry, but I had to laugh when I heard this one!). I would have to think that at least Baghdad is slightly more dangerous than Buenos Aires. While there have been safety issues in parts of Buenos Aires as far as pick-pocketing, etc., Buenos Aires is nowhere near this recent top 10 list of most dangerous cities in the world: http://blog.travelpod.com/2009/03/19/10-most-dangerous-cities-in-the-world/. I was surprised to see London on this list!

·         You are one brave girl. Brave, maybe. Naïve, more likely. But live and learn is what they say. I am hoping that my confidence about surviving this year working and living abroad is not too ambitious. We all mistakes though, so if and when I do, I think I will learn 10 times as much by being in a foreign land!

·         How can you go without a job?! Yes, well, this one is probably the scariest to me. I believe you have more potential to gain by taking risks. I see this experience as a life-changing event for my future, that will hopefully help me realize the course of my future career(s) – teaching, translating, anything else that pops up? I would love to have a job before I go down there, but it is nearly impossible to get a job as a teacher of English as a second language before going to South America. There are many ex-patriots living in Buenos Aires and other major cities around the area, allowing the schools to be more selective with teachers who are willing to commit. Which leads me to my two conclusions: many Americans have taken the plunge into B.A., so why shouldn’t I? Second, my taking this risk will only open up more doors for me in the future.

With only 10 days left until I leave, I’m sure I will hear many more thoughts from apprehensive family and friends. I will have to believe that I am doing the right thing and know that the only way to find out is by going!