Finding Diversity and Belonging Through Study Abroad in Buenos Aires
Before coming to Argentina, I had a lot of anxiety. I was excited, of course, but I couldn鈥檛 ignore the nervousness bubbling underneath. As someone who identifies as both Black and Latina, I carried the weight of not knowing how I’d be perceived here. Would I be stared at? Would I face microaggressions? Would I feel like I belonged?
I knew Argentina had a reputation鈥攕ometimes exaggerated鈥攐f being less racially diverse than other Latin American countries. That worried me. I didn鈥檛 want to feel like I was on display everywhere I went. I didn鈥檛 want to be the 鈥渙nly one鈥 in every space. But I also didn鈥檛 want to let fear stop me from having this experience.
The reality: Argentina surprised me in the best way.
Fast forward a few months. While it鈥檚 true that I stand out in many spaces, it hasn鈥檛 been in the way I feared. People have been overwhelmingly kind, curious, and respectful. Diversity might not be as visible at first glance, but it is here鈥攜ou just have to know where to look.
One of my favorite experiences was attending an Afro-Latinx event in the city. It was beautiful, filled with music, food, and people who looked like me and shared similar backgrounds. It reminded me that my identity is valid, multifaceted, and global. I鈥檝e met other Black Latins from all over, and we鈥檝e bonded over shared experiences and mutual understanding.
Day-to-day, there are still moments where I feel like I stand out. Sometimes people assume I鈥檓 African, and I get a lot of questions about my hair. But none of it has come from a place of disrespect. If anything, I鈥檝e had more meaningful conversations about race, identity, and culture here than I ever expected.
Don鈥檛 fret, it will be okay!
To anyone who鈥檚 nervous about studying abroad as a Black student: I see you. Your fears are valid, but don鈥檛 let them stop you. If anything, being here has helped me embrace my identity even more. I鈥檝e grown so much in my confidence and in the way I carry myself. I鈥檝e learned that I don鈥檛 need to shrink myself to fit into any space. I belong, just as I am.
It will be okay鈥攂etter than okay, honestly. You鈥檒l find your people. You鈥檒l find joy. And you鈥檒l realize, just like I did, that you can be Black, Latina, thriving, and seen鈥攅ven in a place you never expected.
Genesis C. | Brandeis University | IFSA Buenos Aires: Psychology and Neuroscience in Argentina | Spring 2025