by Langley Smith | Fall 2023 |
Before I even entered college, I knew I wanted to study abroad. It was even a requirement for the university I went to: must have a study abroad program. So, to say I was excited when we left for Montevideo in August is an understatement. I knew I was going to love the travel, love learning about the culture, and knew it would have a large impact on me. But I didn’t realize how significant this experience would be. With every location visited and moment in Montevideo, I learned something new. For example, in Buenos Aires, I learned how tango started. In Peru, I witnessed the determination of the human spirit at Machu Picchu, Cusco, and other Inca ruins. In Patagonia, I witnessed the beauty of God’s creation and witnessed the importance of community. I could go on and on, but you get the point.
Being abroad has taught me about what it means to be a world citizen. That despite a different language and culture, people can still connect deeply. Experiencing new places has taught me how interconnected we really are. When in ‘normal’ life (especially as U.S. citizens), it can be easy to forget the impact we have on each other. But being taken out of the ‘normalcy’ has taught me the universality of humanity. We all laugh. We all cry. We all need connection. We all have traditions we cherish. And it is all beautiful. When we see past our assumptions, our biases, and our expectations, the beauty of humanity is revealed, and we can see and understand what it means to be a world citizen.
Traveling while abroad is definitely one of the highlights of my experience. Patagonia is my personal favorite. But slowly, without even noticing, I fell in love with Montevideo. I love that Montevideo isn’t really awake until 10 AM (benefits of a nightlife culture). I love the way that streets are lined with trees and flowers. I love that the beach is a 15-minute walk away. I love the way the wind moves throughout the city (even when it causes messy hair days). I love the ceremony that yerba maté (yehr-buh maa-tay) is prepared with. I love that rainy days require getting tortas fritas with friends. I love the way parks become places for friendships and relationships to develop. I love the way the people are intentional and genuinely encourage me to grow in language and spirit. And while I say I’ve fallen in love with the city, in reality, I’ve fallen in love with the people. Now that I’m leaving, I get to take this love and bring it back with me to the U.S. I get to tell people about the experience of falling in love with Montevideo and encourage them to do the same.
