Embracing Balance: The Key to Resiliency During Study Abroad
Arriving in a different country and committing to a new experience that is completely unfamiliar in its environment and language can be quite jarring. In addition, balancing school and personal life with other student interactions and activities can add more unfamiliarity and pressure. But balancing your personal needs and new cultural experiences doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Finding your ground
It’s important to know your own wants and needs—physical and emotional—to avoid unnecessary stress and fatigue that could affect your experience.
Adapting to Argentina—or any foreign environment and culture—brings so many opportunities for growth. My partial homestay reminded me that even after being from a different culture and having multicultural experiences myself, Argentina has its own culture. Learning to embrace local ways of living can help you find balance as you adapt to change, determine your values, and consider adopting new ones.
I found that embracing this experience fully can bring wonderful opportunities to strengthen what truly brightens or dims your light.
Respect your personal needs
While there was pressure to constantly partake in all social activities and nightlife, I found that solitude became just as important to gaining full immersion. Rather than staying within the confines of the program social circle, immersing yourself in the local culture can benefit you—socially and academically. Learning from the culture you are living in is an important education that can be easily forgotten when your comfort is in question.
Living in Buenos Aires—the largest city I have ever lived in—solidified my values and highlighted weaknesses that needed improvement. Though I have never deemed myself a city girl or desired to be one, it is an experience I am grateful for. Allowing myself to fully experience urban life with openness and willingness sparked new growth and perspectives that I wouldn’t have gained if I had stuck to my old mindset.
If I could share two keys to help you maximize your study experience, they would be:
- Know and understand your values. They will guide you during your journey of growth within an ever-changing environment.
- Learn directly from the culture you are living in. And be curious at every step.
Angel B. | Portland State University| IFSA Buenos Aires Quarter Program: Psychology and Neuroscience | Winter 2026