Bouncing around in my seat on a 10-hour flight toward the southernmost point of the world, I landed in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This started my five-month journey to establish a greater appreciation of English while working to spread positivity in the land of the lost intellectuals.
I was there to offer my time and knowledge to Argentine people who have committed themselves to learning the English language. Teaching transitional words became as relevant as my growth from a diligent scholar to a young journalist; creative ideas and learned concepts flow together then translate to dreams fulfilled.
As I took a moment to notice my surroundings, I gathered that there was a subtle yet heightening outcry for international attention. The new Minister of Education, Alejandro Finocchiaro, was appointed to make a difference in Argentina by reversing the effects of the poor educational foundation.
Interestingly enough, Finocchiaro’s mission started in July 2017, the same month of my arrival.
After 21 interviews with 11 students and 10 parents, 4 of whom are teachers, a very sad image of the idea of education that Argentines have between the ages of 7 and 62 years old was represented.
The aspects highlighted by the different generations will surely have a lasting impact on several fronts of the future development of Argentina, including the economy, politics and daily life. To improve the education system, Argentines must ask themselves, how do we resolve this situation? What are you supposed to get from the education system?
Living in another country with families contributed to my experience with adapting to a new culture and learning my forth language. This sparked my interest in dispelling a generational curse.
Naturally, I came in contact with the students more often than the parents and teachers. My advice was for the students to set some attainable goals and never stop until they get a glimpse of what life is like outside of their comfort zone.
Go out and see the world because you might find out who you are along the way.
My most generous host families rented a family mobile for our 4-day journey. The idea of riding in the new silver 11 passenger minivan made my heart skip a few beats. We were headed to the north of Argentina to Iguazú Falls, one of the new natural wonders of the world.
From the red colored earth in Misiones in the North to the rugged Andes Mountains in the west, I chose to meditate and document my new memories in my journal so that I would remember that I was the young woman that could.
The idea of educational reform is constantly debated amongst teachers and lawmakers alike in the United States. On the other side of the equator, Argentine kids yearn for a restructuring of their current educational institution. They wanted a better base of support.
“All members of the educational community are responsible including administrators, teachers, janitors, librarians, parents and students. It is up to everyone to want to improve and believe that it can be achieved,” Natalia Peres, a secondary school teacher, said.
As a fellow millennial, I encouraged students to open their eyes and soar. I wanted these students to realize that we had more in common than our differences.
Open mindedness has the power to bind people from anywhere in the world. With an overall confidence in my students’ varying levels of mastery of English, I gained an understanding of their potential to effect change.
When thinking of giving a helping hand and a heart full of hope in another country, one must take a moment to realize how far he or she has come to fulfill his or her purpose.
Moreover, who will give young people the opportunity to dream, to know and love more of the world?
Now is the time for the future leaders of Argentina to get what they deserve and what the government has promised. It is the job of the youth to find solutions to problems of old policies and to complement them with the rich cultural history of the country. Their voices and opinions are important and need to be heard throughout the nation.
Currently, there is a thickness in the air across Argentina that overshadows the struggle to improve its future. Many strikes take place for changes that Argentine people believe they will never see. Through my experience, I have witnessed that Argentina is still fighting.
Never give up trying to move a mountain – hold all leaders accountable for their actions.
A shift in the mindset of Argentines is enough to boost morale as young adults embrace their role in this promising country. Tomorrow will be brighter (Mañana será mad brillante), Argentina has to find its way of making it happen first.
Argentina will be the prosperous country that it once was.