When I first arrived in the United States, everything felt louder, bigger and faster, almost like I was stepping into a movie I had watched my whole life, but now I was suddenly a character.
I knew being an exchange student would change me, but I didn’t know how. Now, writing my last article for “The Headlight,” with my return to Argentina getting closer every day, I’m realizing that the hardest part about living in another country is not getting used to it, but learning how to say goodbye once it finally feels like home.
One of the first things that surprised me was how quickly everyday moments would become lessons in culture. The way people greet each other, the casual, “How’s it going?” is thrown into every interaction, even when no one expects an answer.
The constant kindness of strangers holding doors, the confidence students have when speaking up in class, the rhythm of school days filled with sports and strong school pride are all things I had only seen in movies.
I spent weeks trying to understand it all, repeating phrases and slang in my head, laughing at my mistakes and learning to grow comfortable in a place that wasn’t originally mine.
The holidays in the US will be something I will never forget. Experiencing Halloween here felt just as I had been expecting. It’s like taking the festive spirit of your country and multiplying it a hundred-fold; it’s big, passionate and fun. The decorations, the costumes, the houses covered in lights and spider webs, the way everyone, from little kids to teachers, got excited about it and the incredible amount of candy. Where I come from, Halloween is fun, but here it’s a whole universe of its own.
When Thanksgiving arrived, a holiday I had only ever heard about, it turned out to be one of the most meaningful moments of my exchange.
Sitting around a table surrounded by my host family, who had opened their home to me, eating dishes I couldn’t pronounce. Listening to people share what they were grateful for made me understand something about American culture that no textbook could ever teach. It showed me how traditions shape people, how food can carry history and how a sense of belonging can come from places you least expect it.
Of course, adapting to this new home wasn’t always perfect. I had moments of confusion, like trying to understand why everyone loves pumpkin-flavored everything, or why high school hallways feel like a race every time the bell rings.
I realized that school sports are almost like a second job, watched students walk around with huge water bottles like they’re training for a hydration marathon, saw everyone bring snacks to class without the teacher minding and the biggest surprise of all: how early everything closes. Coming from a culture where evenings start late, I kept forgetting that here, “nightlife” ends at 9 p.m.
But those small shocks slowly became inside jokes and stories I’ll laugh about years from now.
One of my favorite memories from this year was getting the chance to share a piece of home with my classmates. A few times, I got to give presentations about Argentina and our traditions, food and culture. I loved seeing everyone’s reactions, wondering how life could be so different for someone so similar, and now so close to them. It’s nice to see people curious about your life and your roots; it allowed me to talk about the things I like, things that are part of my identity and my daily life. In this way, these students could get to know me better, understand and accept me.
We laughed at funny cultural differences, and for a moment, the classroom became a tiny bridge between two countries. Those days reminded me that a cultural exchange goes both ways. I wasn’t just learning, I was also teaching.
This exchange has been filled with friendships, practices, late-night talks, school events, awkward moments that turned into funny memories and the ordinary days that now don’t feel ordinary at all. It’s strange how quickly people become part of your story, how easily new routines can become comfortable and how a place thousands of miles from home can start to feel familiar.
As I get ready to leave, I’m filled with a mix of excitement and sadness. I’m excited to go back to Argentina, to reunite with my family and to tell them all the stories that have accumulated from this trip. But I’m also sad to close this chapter, because these months didn’t just teach me about another culture, but they taught me new things about myself. I learned to be brave, to ask questions, to laugh at my mistakes, to try again. I learned what it feels like to belong in two places at once.
I will always carry this experience with me. Even though my exchange year is ending, the lessons and the version of myself I became here will stay with me long after I board my plane home.
Thank you for making these months unforgettable, and for making me feel at home at Ida B. Wells.
