Being in Argentina for so long gave me the opportunity to get to know some pretty great people. Culturally, it was such an enriching experience to spend proper time doing normal things, like grocery shopping, going on walks, hanging out at the park, working. I met people from all walks of life: businessmen, young parents, single yuppies, expats and locals. And one theme that really stood out when it comes to Argentinians is their value/love/interest in education.
About half of all the native Argentinians that I met were doing some sort of course: a friend working at the Canadian embassy doing French Translation, The Boy’s mom doing Social Psychology, a web design project manager doing Graphic Design, a full-time mother of two babies learning Italian. Whether once a week, online or half-time, people really put time and effort into an interest that they want to learn more about. It’s really inspiring.
It had never really occurred to me, while I was working, to go and enroll in a photography or creative writing course. I’ve got various “extra-curricular” interests and it’s only now that I’m giving them the space to blossom. And I wonder why I waited so long! A night course once or twice a week would’ve been do-able! Continuing education doesn’t necessarily have to entail an MBA or a Master’s program. Why not take that tango class? Or painting class? Or calculus course? Maybe these little bouts of “newness” should be prioritized in our daily lives, just as importantly as things like coffee with friends, grocery shopping, the gym. An hour a week to stretch your brain in a new way sounds like a pretty great gift for yourself, no?
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