If there’s one thing I learned during my jam-packed first week in Uruguay, it’s the value of being humble when working in a foreign country.

I like to have everything under control. But when I arrived in Montevideo two weeks ago, struggling to recall the Spanish terms for airport security, I wasn’t in control. When I impatiently boarded the 522 bus to Pocitos instead of the 149 because I didn’t trust Google Maps, I wasn’t in control. And when I was getting lunch from a corner store on Calle Colonia and I anxiously (and accidentally) ordered a well-done steak, I definitely wasn’t in control.

Walking through the neighborhood of Recoleta, Buenos Aires, I pull my jacket tighter against the cold. It is winter in Argentina, but today, June 16, the faces I pass are livelier, more excited. Excited chatter fills the streets, and from the European-style apartments lining the avenues, huge Argentine flags are hung from the balconies. In Argentina, today might as well be a national holiday: Argentina’s first game in the 2026 World Cup competition. Coming off a monumental championship victory in 2022, combined with widespread expectation that this will be Messi’s last “Mundial,” Argentina is buzzing with anticipation.

In Argentina, greetings are more than just formalities — they’re moments of genuine connection. The kiss on the cheek, which accompanies nearly every hello and goodbye, is a simple and intimate way to acknowledge each person in a room. Man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, everyone shares this warm gesture across social settings — among family, friends, even strangers — making sure no one feels overlooked.

Of all the traditions of Argentina, the asado reigns as the poster child for Argentinian culture and condition. The asado - or barbecue, is usually characterized as the gathering of friends and family around the fire pit to enjoy an assortment of meats and foods while cherishing each other's company. As I reflect on my unforgettable summer interning in this captivating South American nation, my heart warms at the vivid memories of the asado experiences I was fortunate enough to partake in.

The immigrant experience is often simplified into cliches, like booking a one-way ticket and never looking back. I always wondered what it might be like to move to a new country and this past summer, I got a little taste of it. I moved to Argentina to participate in the Social Impact in Buenos Aires GRIP Program.