First day of classes!

It seems like UR and I really have opposite schedules this semester. Everyone on campus has been in classes for two months; I've been relaxing. I finally started classes yesterday, and UR goes on spring break. While I've really enjoyed having a ton of free time to relax, soak up some sun, and explore the city, I also love getting back into some sort of regular routine! I'm taking three classes at the IES study abroad center: a Spanish grammar class, Social Entrepreneurship in Latin America, and History of Argentine Film. They all seem really interesting so far! The professors seem great too—they're all from Argentina and know a lot about the culture and their respective fields. 

Ever since we registered last week, there has been a lot of discussion amongst all of the students about classes and transferring credits back to our home universities. As if I didn't love Rochester enough, this has made me really appreciate our open curriculum! Many of my friends here from other schools are stressed about whether certain classes this semester will count toward their major or distribution requirements. I feel very lucky because I don't have to stress about any of that! I'll still get UR credit for everything I take, but I don't have to worry about signing up for specific classes. Because we don't have any general distribution requirements at UR, I've had plenty of time to take everything I need for my major, minor, and cluster, and everything that's left I can easily take my senior year. And that's as a transfer student! Many people here are limited to classes that their university will accept for major/distribution requirements, but I was able to sign up for the classes that sounded most interesting to me. And I love it! That's what study abroad is about: trying new things you wouldn't have the chance to do anywhere else. I've always wanted to take a film class, and now's my chance! Social entrepreneurship, something I've never studied but find interesting? Sure, why not! The most exciting thing about my classes is that they're all taught in Spanish—hopefully a great way to improve my vocabulary and grammar! 

Here are some photos from what I've been up to in Buenos Aires! 

This is in La Boca, a part of the city famous for its multi-colored buildings.

We went on a bike tour of the city! This was in the ecological reserve, a giant park. 

Me and some friends at the Río de la Plata (the river the city was built on)!