When many Americans think about Argentina, they think about a foreign country filled with exotic foods, people and lifestyles. Trinity students had an opportunity this semester to learn about Argentina directly from some of its young people.

Five Trinity students — Leo Borders, Pedro Schmitt, John Reynolds, Ian Gleason and Chris Monell — welcomed six exchange students from Argentina to the United States on Jan. 20 (summer break in Argentina) — Santiago Donlo, Franco Nuñez, Lucas Rodriguez, Gastón Balzarini, Jerónimo Rueda and Ramiro Molinos. These six students became members of the Rocks’ House System and lived with their Trinity hosts for about five weeks, during which they attended Trinity classes. Trinity students will attend classes in Argentina in late May (their regular school time). 

“How these people are so patriotic” and “I wonder why their age to drink alcohol is so old,” occured to Donlo when he first arrived in the U.S. Because the visitors came here while they were on their summer vacation at home, they weren’t quite ready for the blast of freezing temperatures that Kentuckians are used to.

Rueda shivered as he said, “We haven’t adjusted to the cold yet.”

The five Argentinian students said they signed up for the exchange program to improve their English and to gain a great opportunity to grow in many ways.

Rueda, however, had a very different motive for travelling to the U.S. He had been to the U.S. before when he was a child. He visited Disney, a great experience, but he was too young to fully indulge in American culture. He saw the exchange as a chance to see the U.S. as a young man.

While they were adjusting to American culture, the biggest change for the visitors was not having to speak so much English; in fact, it was adjusting to their school schedules.

Rueda said, “Normally in Argentina, teachers move around and students stay in the same room. We wake up and start school around 7 to 8 in the morning. We have about two hours of class; then we get a 20-minute break.”

The lack of extended breaks was a major schedule difference, Rueda said. “After the break, we have two more classes, then a 15-minute break. Then we have a one-hour class.”

Students from Argentina have an hour-and-a-half lunch break, during which they can go home and take a nap or hang out with friends. After that break, they go back to school, but not for chemistry or algebra. Instead, they have a three-hour English class that takes up the rest of their school day.

The students said their classes are not take-notes types of classes. The classes include more standing up and socializing with classmates. The teaching method includes a great deal of verbal exchanges.

The students enjoyed themselves as they delved into American culture. They met new people, tried new food and new things, one of which was the swegway.

The Trinity hosts are looking forward to the trip Argentina to study and live with their new Shamrock brothers.