- During my upbringing, I consistently experienced stress and an overwhelming workload, often being labeled as type-A, and this situation escalated during my college years.
- It was a transformative experience for me to study abroad in Argentina for a semester, where I discovered an alternative approach to life.
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Since my early years, I have always linked success with striving. As a youngster, my sense of self was intertwined with my productivity levels and how packed my schedule was. If I wasn’t engaged in something productive, I felt insignificant.
This mindset persisted through my high school years until I encountered a profound revelation while pursuing my education.
My self-worth was tied to my productivity
Throughout my academic journey, I embodied the quintessential overachiever – achieving high honors, maintaining a GPA above 4.0, and participating in numerous extracurricular activities.
Whenever my days were not structured around an endless list of tasks, I felt like I was squandering my time.
While pursuing a double major at a small liberal arts institution in Ohio, I seized an extraordinary opportunity to study in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a native of West Virginia, this experience presented an unparalleled chance to explore the world.
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Initially, I anticipated enhancing my Spanish skills and immersing myself in South American culture for six months. Little did I know that this experience would serve as a catalyst for reshaping my perspectives on education and self-identity.
Absence of a ‘busy culture’ in Argentina
In the United States, many of us are conditioned to prioritize busyness from a young age. This relentless pursuit is deeply ingrained in our cultural fabric. Given my limited international exposure prior to this experience, I was entrenched in this American ethos.
Conversely, in Argentina, the prevalent “busy culture” is conspicuously absent.
Upon enrolling in classes at two local universities in Buenos Aires, this contrast became strikingly apparent.
In the U.S., conversations with peers typically revolved around our hectic schedules. We would dedicate walks to class and mealtime discussions to the mountain of assignments awaiting completion by the day’s end – a norm we embraced.
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Conversely, in Argentina, busyness was not flaunted as a badge of honor. In fact, if I excessively discussed my commitments, my new acquaintances expressed concern.
“But what do you do for leisure?” they would inquire, often leaving me at a loss for an answer.
During moments of silence, I introspected on my perpetual need for busyness and its impact on my well-being. This period in Argentina prompted me to reassess these ingrained notions.
A shift in perception towards time and punctuality
While in Argentina, my perspective on time management and punctuality underwent a significant transformation, alleviating my anxiety and stress levels.
As an individual accustomed to a jam-packed schedule, my college days in the U.S. were meticulously organized using a paper planner and digital calendar. I meticulously orchestrated one obligation after another, akin to conducting an overachiever’s symphony.
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Any disruption to my schedule would irk me, and I harbored minimal tolerance for life’s unpredictability.
In Argentina, I learned to embrace the relative nature of time and punctuality. Throughout my stay, schedules were often disregarded – buses ran behind, business hours seemed flexible, and coffee dates with friends rarely commenced as planned.
Initially, this lack of punctuality and predictability frustrated me. It was challenging to plan when the environment around me was so uncertain. I grappled with feelings of powerlessness as I realized the limited control I had over external circumstances.
Despite my desire for punctuality, I gradually accepted the reality of unpredictable situations. I began to appreciate the essence of relinquishing control and acknowledging the aspects beyond my influence.
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Embracing a new perspective on life in Argentina
Irrespective of one’s background, life presents numerous stressors. Traveling offers a unique vantage point to observe how diverse communities navigate everyday challenges.
During my academic stint in Buenos Aires, I discovered an alternative approach to addressing problems. Instead of exhausting myself by relentlessly pursuing every battle, I learned the power of letting go.
Not every challenge required my immediate attention, and I refrained from treating them as personal battles. While I am still in the process of adapting to this newfound mindset, my time in Argentina served as a pivotal moment in embracing this shift.