WEP is wishing all exchange students leaving to Argentina today a safe journey and successful start into their program.

Find out more about our programs to Argentina and contact us to get in touch with returned students like Rosanne, who lived with an Argentine family and attended school in a town called Colon...

I had been fascinated with Hispanic and Latin American language, people and culture since I was 12 years old, and really wanted the chance to actually live there and test my interest. I'm not a touristy sort of person so exchange seemed the perfect way to see the 'real' side of life in another country, through the eyes of the locals.

Living for 6 months in Argentina changed my life. Surprisingly, I felt more like I belonged in that culture than in Australia! I grew up a lot, learned a heap about Argentina, life, people and communication and relationship skills in general, and I also brought a new perspective and my skills to those I met.

Exchange is an excellent way to 'try yourself out', to discover what parts of your life are determined by your surroundings and what parts are inherently YOU - that is you find out what you can and can't do without, and how to express who you are in another culture's way. For example in Australia I did tap dancing, so in Argentina I learnt salsa, tango and folk dancing. In Australia I played piano and trombone so in Argentina not having access to those I bought a guitar and learnt some Argentine rhythms. My host family and friends were also very interested to learn about the Australian way of life and my family here, and some thought my cousins looked like models!

It's been great for me to discover a new culture, learn a lot of personal skills and get to know myself better, and share my life with others. Within the framework of an exchange with preparation, education and coordinators is a safer way to explore your independence and have new experiences overseas. Parents are happy that way too!