# data[].attributes.headline
Tactile maps for visually impaired visitors are available at the  Recoleta Tourist Assistance Center and at the Casa Rosada Museum 

# data[].attributes.subject
Tactile maps for visually impaired visitors are available at the  Recoleta Tourist Assistance Center and at the Casa Rosada Museum 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Official English Website for the City of Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Accessible Tourism Guide 2018/19 (in Spanish) highlights the main attractions that are accessible to disabled visitors in the cities of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Bahía Blanca and Mar del Plata. With the aim of promoting visitor integration and improving the experiences of visitors to these cities, it shows the level of accessibility of each attraction.

The guide was created by the Buenos Aires City Tourist Board, city disability association COPIDIS and Buenos Aires Province.

These are the tourist organisations within the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires that have been distinguished for promoting accessibility.

Best practice guide

This small practical guide is designed as a tool to raise awareness and to train stakeholders who are directly or indirectly involved in the tourist sector, promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities so that they can take part in any tourist experience independently.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Ente de Turismo del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Accessible Tourism Guide 2018/19 (in Spanish) highlights the main attractions that are accessible to disabled visitors in the cities of Buenos Aires, La Plata, Bahía Blanca and Mar del Plata. With the aim of promoting visitor integration and improving the experiences of visitors to these cities, it shows the level of accessibility of each attraction.

# data[].attributes.headline
Argentina has the highest number of psychologists per capita in the world

# data[].attributes.subject
Argentina has the highest number of psychologists per capita in the world

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Identity is slippery in Argentina. Violence and migration patterns have criss-crossed family wires and in some cases short-circuited them altogether. First- and second-generation immigrant homes and hyphenated identities are much closer to being a rule than they are an exception in Buenos Aires, where, in the mid-20th century, there was a massive rush of primarily European immigrants that reshaped the cultural makeup of the city. In the 1970s, la Guerra Sucia, or the Dirty War, was perpetrated by a government dictatorship that vilified free speech as a matter of policy, and led to the execution of thousands of civilians. For a young generation of creators and thinkers, uncovering one's Argentinian identity poses a challenge and, for many, a sore spot. "There is a disconnect from our roots that we are trying to understand," says local filmmaker Martín Kraut, when asked why porteños have such a propensity for therapy. But therapies here extend beyond an office, a comfy couch, and a licensed professional; they are in the food, the art, the dancing, the fashion, the community, and the entrepreneurship.

Feeling good on a day-to-day basis is a priority in Buenos Aires, but wellness has a different face here than in Brooklyn or London. Instead of avocado toasts and spin classes, self-care is an outing to the theater with loved ones, or taking an extra-long lunch break to finish a conversation with a friend; it's window sills and balconies draped in lush hanging plants, and groups of bike messengers gathering in a park to play soccer, letting off steam between deliveries. Therapy is a way of life in this city, where most people have to work multiple jobs to survive the tribulations of the unstable economy. Artists who are unable to make a living from their passions continue to create on the side. At the ends of their shifts, doctors hang up their white coats to perform as clowns; retail workers hit the tango clubs after midnight. Buenos Aires is a rich mix of practicality and romanticism, where money is always a factor, but happiness-true well-being-is worth pursuing regardless.

Aside from the scores of people who have made space for their art in addition to their careers, there is a new generation of business owners creating ways to bridge the two, at once enriching the city's cultural fabric and monetizing their own passions. These are the "therapies" of modern Buenos Aires-the small, independently owned shops and cafés, the alternative art galleries, the slow fashion, the feel-good foods-that earn the city its reputation for emotional intensity.

Back at El Viejo Almacén, the dancers get a break while each musician takes a solo. I watch the stage lights glint off the bandonéon as the player pulls the sides in and out like a hypnotist's tool, oozing a sticky melody as thick and sweet as the dulce de leche at the center of an alfajor. Santiago is his name, a real music lover who has been practicing his instrument since the age of 18, when his grandfather inspired him to pursue tango. He later tells me that after falling out of fashion in the 80s, tango is making a resurgence among a younger generation that's curious about its past. "It's a feeling that's internal; it's more intense," he says about his relationship to tango music. "Sometimes it's the words in the songs that make me emotional, or the sound of the music, but it's not something I can explain."

When Santiago finishes his bars, it is the pianist up next. I don't catch his name, but watching him play brings me to tears. His whole body is part of the effort, rocking forward and back with the tapping of the keys. Sometimes a finger slips and hits the wrong note, but nothing seems to distract from his moment in the limelight, shared with the late-night Wednesday crowd of no more than 20. I imagine him in the daylight sitting at his desk, reading files and answering emails in his other life as a lawyer or a banker. But at El Viejo Almacén, he's a musician. He's alive.

Read more about the porteños redefining the therapies of Buenos Aires here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Progressive Views on Mental Health Have Shaped Modern-day Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Identity is slippery in Argentina. Violence and migration patterns have criss-crossed family wires and in some cases short-circuited them altogether. First- and second-generation immigrant homes and hyphenated identities are much closer to being a rule than they are an exception in Buenos Aires, where, in the mid-20th century, there was a massive rush of primarily European immigrants that reshaped the cultural makeup of the city.

# data[].attributes.headline
Let's cultivate a world where identities are no longer used to alienate people, but rather to bring together people.

# data[].attributes.subject
Let's cultivate a world where identities are no longer used to alienate people, but rather to bring together people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Rebeca Hwang has spent a lifetime juggling identities -- Korean heritage, Argentinian upbringing, education in the United States -- and for a long time she had difficulty finding a place in the world to call home. Yet along with these challenges came a pivotal realization: that a diverse background is a distinct advantage in today’s globalized world. In this personal talk, Hwang reveals the endless benefits of embracing our complex identities -- and shares her hopes for creating a world where identities aren’t used to alienate but to bring people together instead.

# data[].attributes.headline
Prevention and progress are two very distinct reasons Argentina just may have accessed the secret door to Mental Health success

# data[].attributes.subject
Prevention and progress are two very distinct reasons Argentina just may have accessed the secret door to Mental Health success

# data[].attributes.headline
Argentina’s Congress has voted to legalise abortion 

# data[].attributes.subject
Argentina’s Congress has voted to legalise abortion 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Activists celebrate Argentina vote to legalise abortion - BBC News

# data[].attributes.headline
I found out that Buenos Aires is widely considered to be the psychodynamic capital of the world, rivaling New York for highest number of psychoanalysts

# data[].attributes.subject
I found out that Buenos Aires is widely considered to be the psychodynamic capital of the world, rivaling New York for highest number of psychoanalysts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Bridges and Balloons | Unique Travel Itineraries & Special Places to Stay

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Last updated on

I started to notice it in Buenos Aires. Friends would meet me a drink "after therapy", my Spanish teacher would fit me in around her sessions, and everyone would pepper conversations with "my therapist says...". I soon realised that nearly every Argentine I met was either in, or had been in, therapy - but more surprising than that was that they were happy to talk about it too.

This isn't something I'm used to in the UK where, although apparently one in five people have sought help from a therapist, it still has a stigma attached to it. Things have certainly improved since the days when it could only be whispered in hushed tones, but you won't find people talking about it like they would a trip to the supermarket.

With a little investigation, I found out that Buenos Aires is widely considered to be the psychodynamic capital of the world, rivaling New York for highest number of psychoanalysts. One article estimated that there's one therapist for every 30 people in the city. It's one of the most popular career paths to follow at university, and there's even an area in Palermo nicknamed Villa Freud.
The benefits of therapy
On first impressions, I found this all rather brilliant. I studied psychotherapy last year and, as part of the course, had to be in therapy for the duration. It was a difficult time, full of challenges and realisations, but ultimately it made me more self-aware. I'm learning to be kinder to myself, less quick to judge, and more understanding of others. It definitely left me thinking that, with the right therapist and method, everyone could probably do with some sessions - if only to know themselves better and grow their compassion.

So, as an advocate of therapy, I was delighted to see so many people openly talking about it and seeking help themselves. But still I wondered why? What makes it so popular here? It was brought to Argentina by Europeans but has taken off here more than in its homeland. I started to ask around and found mixed responses. "We're emotional people. We need help with all those emotions," explained one friend. "Just listen to the words of tango." It may be true but that didn't quite cut it. Other cultures are famously 'emotional', yet they don't seek therapy as widely as Argentines.

Others looked to the country's long history of political and financial instability. The current situation is a constant source of frustration for Argentines. For example, if you want to buy something like a car or plane ticket, you have to prove where the money you're buying it with came from. We met a reiki teacher who, because his profession wasn't recognised by the government, couldn't buy anything of value; his earning were considered invalid. Throughout the country, we've heard stories of similar frustrations. While perhaps a reason for why many Argentines feel the need to seek therapy, it doesn't quite explain why they do. Other countries have similar financial woes but do not consider the help of a psychotherapist a reasonable option.
Birthday boob jobs
Another theory people had about the popularity of psychotherapy was linked to a different national obsession - plastic surgery. I asked a friend about it, only for her to divulge that she had her lips done every few months. She wasn't embarrassed, but instead said: "I have small lips, of course I make them bigger." Collagen lip injections are a tiny example of a huge menu of alterations Argentines opt for. Breast implants are a common birthday present for teenagers, and women with face lifts can be seen everywhere. One student told us that his friends get one surgical procedure free with their health plan each year. If they make it to December without needing to use it for anything medical, they use it for plastic surgery instead. Physical manipulation is as accepted as psychotherapy. For me, this definitely isn't so brilliant. Society's obsession with image is something that saddens me and seems like an inevitable cause for unnecessary suffering. It is perhaps unsurprising to hear that Argentina also has one of the highest rates of anorexia in the world.

In relation to therapy, friends suggested that the national desire for, and obsession with, physical perfection could suggest a desire for emotional perfection too. And that's where therapists come in. As a 'chicken or egg' situation, a preoccupation with image may also drive people to therapy. And to bring it full circle, some blame therapy for Argentines' negativity in the first place. In fact, in the 1970s, a right-wing military junta singled out therapy as a cause of Argentina's problems, including excessive navel-gazing.

There's clearly no single answer to why psychotherapy thrives in Argentina, but there was one final theory that interested me. Gaston, a psychology student we couchsurfed with explained the unique history of Argentine culture and its potential impact on the national psyche. It's a country that was once inhabited by indigenous peoples, but is now dominated by a majority of Italian and Spanish descendants. Nearly all the original inhabitants were killed during colonisation and the Conquest of the Desert (an event which is oddly heralded on the 100peso note). Argentina is unique within South America for its lack of indigenous people, and clear European influence. Gaston explained that this has created a nation of people disconnected with their land - with no concrete sense of place, home or identity. Therapy is an obvious reaction to this as it offers a way to connect with the self and explore one's identity. Whether or not this is a reason for the proliferation of therapy in Argentina, we found it interesting to think of the country's make-up and foundations. Indeed, our one question - 'Why are so many Argentines in therapy?' - may not have provided us with an answer, but it did lead us down many intriguing paths of inquiry and insight.

Let us know if you have any of your own theories.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why are so many Argentines in therapy? Exploring therapy in Argentina.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Last updated on I started to notice it in Buenos Aires. Friends would meet me a drink "after therapy", my Spanish teacher would fit me in around her sessions, and everyone would pepper conversations with "my therapist says...".

# data[].attributes.headline
Argentina is a safe country for different identity groups

# data[].attributes.subject
Argentina is a safe country for different identity groups

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome to Argentina
The Argentina Destination Guide will provide a historical overview, scholarship information, health and safety tips, plus identity-specific resources to ensure students feel prepared with insight and resources for their global experience in Argentina. The information shared below is a bird eye's view and meant to provide some country-specific context. We encourage students to conduct further research and chat with relevant points of contact including advisors, program leaders, international student services at the host campus, internship coordinators or peers who have traveled to Argentina, to gain a greater understanding of their host country and/or city.

Overview

Despite a rough political history and a recent economic downturn, Argentina, once very wealthy, remains an upper-middle-income nation and the most developed in South America. Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city, has been called the "Paris of South America" because of its wealth, architectural sophistication, and the fact that it looks and feels more like a European city than any other city in South America. Anyone longing to explore the lively culture of Latin America, while still enjoying the familiar comforts of the United States or Europe, should head to Argentina to experience the best of both worlds.

With a beautiful metropolitan capital, dramatic geography, and a passionate lifestyle imbued with the wealth and splendor of Old Europe, Argentina has much to offer to students who favor Argentina's romantic culture and meaty savory (Argentina is a major producer of meat, especially beef) cuisine. The large country boasts many natural landmarks, which are immense in scale, from the towering Andes Mountains to the Perito Moreno Glacier to the awe-inspiring subtropical waterfalls of the Iguaçu River on the border with Brazil. Argentina runs north to south, from deep interior to coast, and so possesses allowing for amazing natural diversity, with- it is inhabited by everything from jaguars to penguins.
Additional Resources: Lonely Planet: Argentina Argentina Travel Britannica: Argentina

Cities & Education

Argentina is divided into 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. The country offers a range of learning opportunities for US students studying abroad. Argentina has some of the best universities in Latin America and is becoming one of the top 10 destinations for U.S. study abroad students.

Most universities are located in the capital city of Buenos Aires, where students can study a variety of disciplines. It is becoming a leading destination for students seeking to learn Spanish, with most of the coursework taught in the Argentine dialect.

Argentina is a great study abroad destination for liberal arts majors. Its culture is a distinctive mix of indigenous African, and European influences that are evident in the literature, language, art, and food of the country. Its political history is equally fascinating. Since its independence, Argentina has witnessed multiple shifts from one political extreme to another. This dynamic political history has birthed famous political figures like José de San Martín, Che Guevara, and Eva Perón.
Additional Resources: Studying in Buenos Aires

Events & Tourism

Argentina has a scene for any type of traveler. Argentina does not disappoint when it comes to museums and national monuments. In addition to critically acclaimed art museums like the MALBA, there are also museums and memorials dedicated to influential Argentine figures like Che Guevara and Eva "Evita" Perón. Argentina is also sure to impress students who are awed by nature's wonders. Students can visit the Iguazú Falls, a UNESCO Heritage site comprised of 275 thundering waterfalls and cascades, or Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

For a more relaxed trip with a beautiful landscape, a visit to Mendoza, the capital of the Mendoza province, is a must. There you will find the heart of Argentine wine production where the nation's best red wines are crafted. In addition to its world-renowned red wine, Argentina is also known around the world for producing some of the highest quality steaks. Argentina's most popular food and beverages will satisfy your inner foodie.

A trip to Buenos Aires, the nation's capital, is also on the must-see list of many students. Buenos Aires is a multifaceted city, with an eclectic collection of neighborhoods. One of the most popular neighborhoods in the city is Palermo. Palermo is the center for all things trendy in Buenos Aires. It boasts many boutiques and hip eateries. La Boca is another noteworthy neighborhood and is known for its quirky, colorful buildings and striking street art. After a long day of sightseeing, prepare for a long night of socializing with porteños in the streets until sunrise. Buenos Aires' vibrant nightlife is considered one of the best scenes in Latin America.
Additional Resources: The Top 8 Places to Visit in Argentina
Argentina celebrates an assortment of public holidays each year. Some of these holidays are national, and some are regional. Since Argentina is a predominantly Catholic country, most of its holidays are religious, while others may be historical. While not designated an official cultural event, soccer or fútbol is Argentina's national pastime. It is worth going to the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti to see the top soccer stars play for the national team. Check out the resources below to learn more about Argentina's holidays and events that may line up with your visit.
Additional Resources: Top 5 Cultural Celebrations in Argentina Holiday Celebrations in Argentina

Diversity & Inclusion Climate

Although Argentina is generally considered a welcoming country, depending on your identity, your experience may be affected by the status of Diversity & Inclusion in the country. The majority of the country is of white European descent, so students of color may face slight discrimination. There are small pockets of Afro-Argentine and Asian-Argentine communities throughout Argentina, but they are largely a minority, students of color should be prepared to stand out in Argentina.

While the majority of the country is Roman Catholic, only about 20% are practicing. Argentina is also home to the largest Jewish and Muslim communities in Latin America, students of different faiths should feel safe to practice their religion while studying in Argentina. Women in Argentina also have equal educational and professional opportunities as men, there have even been two female presidents.

Argentina is viewed as one of the most progressive countries in Latin American, especially when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights. Same-sex marriage was legalized in 2010 and most recently Argentina passed the Gender Identity Law, providing legal gender identity changes to transgender citizens. Overall, Argentina is generally a safe country for different identity groups.

Country Demographics (subheading)

Data acquired via the Cia.gov World Factbook
Population in Argentina
45,479,118 (July 2020 est.)
Nationality
Noun: Argentine (s)

Adjective: Argentine
Ethnicity
European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry) 97.2%, Amerindian 2.4%, African 0.4% (2010 est.)

Note: Amerindian- American Indians
Language
Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)
Religion
Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%

Staying Healthy & Safe in Argentina

You cannot always predict the hiccups that may occur during your time abroad, but taking the proper measures to ensure your health and safety in Argentina will help you be better prepared to deal with unplanned situations.
Health
Health insurance is mandatory for all international students in Argentina. Students participating in a global program of any duration are required to have international health insurance, usually included in the program costs and provided by your academic institution or program provider. If you are traveling independently, research international options available to you within your current health care provider. You can also look into international health insurance companies that provide various plans and choose one that best suits the type and duration of your travels in Argentina. In the case of an emergency, be sure this information is easily accessible by storing your insurance card in a transportable and secure place, creating a copy of your health insurance card, or storing the information in your phone. It is also helpful to be aware of nearby hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in case you are in need of these services or resources. Here are a few of the emergency numbers in Argentina to keep in mind:

911- Emergency Services

101- Emergency Services (Córdoba, Mendoza, Iguazú, Tucuman and Tierra del Fuego)

107- Ambulance

100- Fire

101- Police
Safety
No matter where you are in the world, whether it is your hometown or a new city, it is important to be alert and practice awareness of your surroundings. Argentina is a generally safe country, but travelers should still exercise normal safety precautions. While Argentina does not have a high rate of violent crime, the most common crimes are petty theft and tourists scams such as pickpocketing There are many giveaways that can signal someone is a tourist from accent and Spanish language proficiency to something as subtle as mannerisms and the way one walks. The goal is not to mask that you are a visitor, but to protect your belongings and ensure you do not fall victim to these crimes. Here are a few tips:

Be aware of your surroundings- check local guides about the neighborhoods you plan to stay and visit.

Leave valuable items at home whenever possible and only travel with your necessities.

Avoid being flashy or careless with valuable items.

Ensure your bags and pockets are tight and completely zipped.

Do not place handbags on the back of your chair or on the floor at a restaurant. Keep them in your lap.

Do not leave your drink unattended.

Have a travel partner when possible.

Do not discuss travel plans, your room number, or any other personal information within earshot of strangers.

Additional Resources: US State Dept. Travel Information Crime & Safety Report

Funding & Scholarship Opportunities

There are many scholarships to fund your education abroad experience. Here is a list of Diversity Abroad scholarships available for study in Argentina, some of which can be applied to other types of international experiences:
Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Scholarship Diversity Network Summer Consortium Scholarship Diversity Abroad AIFS Achievement Scholarship
For more scholarships, visit our Scholarships page.

In addition, many institutions and program providers offer scholarships for students participating in their programs. Be sure to check with your home institution's

Diversity & Inclusion Guides to Argentina

Access to Diversity Abroad's Abroad360° in-depth diversity & inclusion climate guide requires subscription. Sign up using your college or university email to determine if you have access.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Despite a rough political history and a recent economic downturn, Argentina, once very wealthy, remains an upper-middle-income nation and the most developed in South America. Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city, has been called the "Paris of South America" because of its wealth, architectural sophistication, and the fact that it looks and feels more like a European city than any other city in South America.

# data[].attributes.headline
Tanya, a CEA Study Abroad alum, shares her experience exploring the diversity within the Buenos Aires LGBTQIA+  community.

# data[].attributes.subject
Tanya, a CEA Study Abroad alum, shares her experience exploring the diversity within the Buenos Aires LGBTQIA+  community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Diversity in Argentina: Buenos Aires LGBTQ Community

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Immigration is so important in Argentina that the preamble of the country's constitution, written in 1853, states the law foundations " for all people who desire to inhabit Argentina." Multiple waves of migrants have arrived in the country since Juan Díaz de Solís docked at Río de la Plata in 1516. Many, if not most, have come through the country's most important port in Buenos Aires.

It was between the late 19th and early 20th centuries when most European migrants came to the city, escaping economic hardships and eventually, World War I and II. Enough Italian and Spanish immigrants fled to Argentina that they came to form nearly 30 percent of the country's entire population. This is why many Argentinians have European ancestors. The language, food, and customs are proof of this.

The flexible immigration laws, as well as free public education and healthcare, that remain to this day presented an appealing choice not only for Spanish and Italians but also for Asians, other Europeans, and fellow Latin Americans looking for a new bright future. Buenos Aires became a major hub for cultural diversity and to get to know the real Buenos Aires, you can't miss its multicultural collectivities. Here are some of the most prominent ones you need to experience.

Chinese immigrants built one of South America's most lively Chinatowns.

Chinese migration to Argentina started in the early 19th century and continued in waves throughout the ensuing decades, and they settled widely throughout Buenos Aires. They immediately made their presence known, opening supermarkets in nearly every neighborhood that became the go-to place for daily grocery shopping for most residents. It is said that there is one Chinese supermarket every three blocks in Buenos Aires, and you'd be hard pressed to disprove this theory.

Although Chinese people often live near their own supermarkets and not in a specific part of the town, a thriving Chinatown has grown in the Belgrano neighborhood, near the Colegiales and Palermo neighborhoods, lined with shops, a diverse collection of restaurants, and markets where you can find imported goods and food that are hard to find elsewhere in the city. You could easily spend hours in Chinatown buying fun, cheap trinkets while eating delicious snacks out of the hole-in-the-wall shops, and if you go, be sure to stop at either Todos Contentos for dim sum or Cantina Chinatown for incredible chop suey.
Where: Arribeños 2100, Buenos Aires
Strolling through Little Korea makes for a great afternoon.

Located in the Bajo Flores neighborhood, Buenos Aires' Little Korea gathers much of the Korean collectivity that started arriving in the country from the mid-1960s until the '90s. Little Korea, also known as Baekgu - which means "109" because of the bus that used to go through there - is a three-block stretch that goes all the way through Carabobo Street as it turns into Corea Street between Eva Perón Avenue and Castañares Avenue. It's like nowhere else in the city. Street signs are written in Korean, markets hawk solely Korean goods, and opportunities for an impromptu afternoon karaoke session abound. You'll find both Christian churches and Buddhist temples, though the area is not the safest part of town so visit during the day, where you can make a lunch reservation at Una Canción Coreana or drink coffee with some Korean sweets at Pan Moa. You can also take a taxi to grab some dinner at a Korean barbecue at Restaurante Yugane.
Where: Castañares Av. & Carabobo Av., Buenos Aires
Japanese collectivity runs throughout the city.

Between 1920 and 1970 the Japanese arrived in Argentina and started working mainly in the agricultural fields in the countryside. In Buenos Aires, many opened dry-cleaning shops and nowadays, many of these dry-cleaning places are closing down as new generations of Japanese-Argentinians turn to gastronomy. You can see this playing out in real-time throughout town - in the newly opened restaurant Tintorería Yafuso, which translates to "Dry Cleaner Yafuso," for instance. This dry cleaner in the Villa Crespo neighborhood was in operation for more than 30 years by the Yafuso family. When they closed it down, Fabian, the family's son, decided to open a restaurant built around authentic Japanese food served in a setting where you can still see the remains of the dry-cleaning equipment. Located just outside Palermo and San Telmo, this tiny restaurant serves only 20 people per night in two shifts. Make sure you have a reservation in advance as it can be hard to find a table.

Although the Japanese are not settled in a specific part of town, many restaurants and cultural centers flourished around the National Congress. The most impressive sample of Japanese culture in Buenos Aires can be found in the Japanese Garden. Created as a testimony to the friendship between the two countries and to mark the first visit of the Japanese imperial family, it was erected in 1967 and is considered one of the biggest Japanese gardens outside of Japan. It's a unique respite in the heart of a massive city and has become the typical place for a Sunday family stroll for locals and tourists alike. The garden is home to different activities such as cosplay competitions, martial arts performances, and origami and painting workshops.

Argentina is home to the largest Bolivian population outside of Bolivia.

Bolivian migration to Argentina has existed from colonial times but has grown steadily since the 1940s. The largest Bolivian community in the world outside of Bolivia is now located in Argentina, settled in both the north of the country as well as in Buenos Aires - primarily in Liniers, the neighborhood where the daily Bolivian market takes place.

There used to be people on the street hawking their goods, but due to strict government regulations, vendors are now housed in small shops, one next to the other, where they sell crafts, delicious fruits, vegetables, and spices that you won't find anywhere else in town. Treat yourself with a salteña - a juicy, spicy Bolivian empanada - while ambling along the colorful streets. It's open every day from around 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, although weekdays in the morning are best if you want to avoid the weekend crowds. Located in the west of the city, the market is off the beaten track but you can get there by the Sarmiento train line or many buses such as the 34 and 166 from the so-called Palermo Hollywood.
Where: José León Suarez 100, Liniers, Buenos Aires
You can learn about - and eat - "Chifa" food.

Peruvian migration to Argentina was practically nonexistent before the 1980s but grew rapidly during the following decades. Now, Peruvians make up the fourth-largest immigrant population in the country. Most Peruvians are located in Balvanera neighborhood, and many have opened restaurants that now are the go-to place if you are looking for some delicious ceviche or ají de gallina. You can even find spots to eat "Chifa" food, a fusion of Cantonese and Peruvian food that is tough to find outside of South America. Lung Fung and Chifa Man San are great places where you can taste the merging of these two culinary cultures.

Latin America's largest Jewish population lives here.

Balvanera, along with Villa Crespo, housed Buenos Aires' Jewish community ever since they began arriving in the 1850s. Between 1889-1914, 1920-1930, and 1930-1948, migration waves accelerated until the city had the largest Jewish community in Latin America. Nowadays, about 250,000 Jews live in Argentina, and 80 percent live in urban areas. In both neighborhoods, you can find Jewish schools, restaurants, and temples, the most important of which is the Synagogue of the Israelite Argentine Congregation close to the city center. This was the first synagogue in Buenos Aires; its construction began in 1897 and took 35 years to complete. The incredible building merits a visit as it also houses the Jewish Museum of Buenos Aires.

You can dine for a good cause with the Armenian community.

Armenians arrived in Buenos Aires largely in the first two decades of the 19th century and took root in the Palermo neighborhood. A short walk through Armenia Street will show you schools, cultural centers, and beautiful churches, such as the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, that are worth a visit. Many Armenian restaurants can be found in the area, the most important ones being Sarkis, with the best falafel you will ever taste, and inside UGAB (Unión General Armenia de Beneficencia). This Armenian school houses a restaurant where you'll be waited on by the teenage students and cooked for by their parents. The money raised here is used by the graduates to go on a trip to Armenia, an operation taking place since 1979. Make sure you are there at 10:00 PM - that is when the students also dance to typical Armenian music for the diners.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Buenos Aires is the best city in South America for cultural diversity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Immigration is so important in Argentina that the preamble of the country's constitution, written in 1853, states the law foundations " for all people who desire to inhabit Argentina." Multiple waves of migrants have arrived in the country since Juan Díaz de Solís docked at Río de la Plata in 1516.

# data[].attributes.headline
As a first-generation Latina college student with high financial need, my experience abroad is different from everyone else’s in the program

# data[].attributes.subject
As a first-generation Latina college student with high financial need, my experience abroad is different from everyone else’s in the program

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
I am a Latina, born and raised in the Dominican Republic, who moved to the United States in 2010. I always saw myself traveling, but I did not think it would have been this soon. My heritage means that I am considered a minority within the study abroad community, since only 10.6% of study abroad students identify as Latinos/as. I chose to study abroad in Spain because I had already experienced the difficulty of not understanding the language of the place in which you live, which is how I've felt my first few years living in the United States. To avoid this language and cultural barrier, I decided that a Spanish-speaking country in Europe would be best for me. I always knew that I wanted to learn more about myself and the world through traveling.

As a first-generation Latina college student with high financial need, my experience abroad is different from everyone else's in the program. I had to sacrifice valuable time with family over the summer in order to get here, working two jobs. Because of this, being here means so much more to me. Yet dedicating time to work was complicated by the fact that in the typical Latino household, there exists an expectation that everyone must contribute to benefit the family as a whole. My duties at home are supposed to take priority over my personal success. Studying abroad is often not a consideration because it is an inherently individual experience. Furthermore, taking the initiative to study abroad is looked down upon because of gender roles, which can be quite prevalent in Latino families, and there is an associated domestic obligation for me, especially as first-generation college student. I was conflicted with the idea of being independent and working for myself and having to put my family aside, and sometimes this left me feeling regretful. My independent nature has gotten me into trouble with my family, because to them, it seems like I am doing either too much or doing things I can't handle because of my young age.

Ultimately, I am here and happy to be. It is such a blessing and a privilege, and the work that I put in makes me want to make the most out of this experience. I feel that dedicating my time to work to get here was well worth it. Studying abroad has opened my eyes to new possibilities, it's helping me grow and teaching me about things I did not know I could learn. After spending two months living in Alicante, I have learned a lot about myself as well as the culture. I have learned that I can be more independent than I thought I was already by having to do almost everything for myself. Back home I lived in the dorms, so having an apartment here that I have the extra responsibility to maintain has made more independent than I thought I was already. I have also found similarities within my Dominican culture, especially la hora de la siesta. Spain prioritizes the health and well-being of its citizens, and I can see that through the foods to which I have been introduced. I did experience some culture shock, specifically in regards to what defines one's personal space here in Spain. Regardless, coming to Alicante has been one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I am surrounded by people who are willing to be there for me when I need it. I have met family members I did not know I had so close to me, and that has opened so many possibilities of what I can see here. I have made friends for a lifetime. I am very proud to be a first-generation Latina college student, and I hope to continue to spread the word about the great things anyone can accomplish by studying abroad and the amazing experiences you will have.

Thania Inoa De Jesus is the Fall 2019 CEA MOJO Photographer in Alicante, Spain, and is currently studying at Albright College.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Studying Abroad as a Latina First-Generation College Student

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I am a Latina, born and raised in the Dominican Republic, who moved to the United States in 2010. I always saw myself traveling, but I did not think it would have been this soon. My heritage means that I am considered a minority within the study abroad community, since only 10.6% of study abroad students identify as Latinos/as.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Diverse Buenos Aires - Documentary on the LGBTIQ scene

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Official English Website for the City of Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome to the LGBT capital of Latin America!

Buenos Aires' atmosphere of tolerance, diversity, liberty and respect makes it the top destination in Latin America for LGBT travellers. The phenomenal nightlife helps too. You'll find in Buenos Aires an incredible openness and a 24/7 LGBT scene fueled by a huge range of pubs, cultural centres, designer bars, terraces, parks and nightclubs where freedom of expression reigns supreme. You can take part in myriad special events like Buenos Aires Diversa, the International Queer Tango Festival and the pride parade, and you can even get married! Buenos Aires is the place for everyone interested in enjoying authentic expressions of love.

The beginnings

Much of Buenos Aires' original gay scene began life in the 80s, when the clubs and bars had something of an underground vibe, then in the 1990s campaigning for gay rights became more vocal and the annual pride parade began attracting more and more people each year. There are still areas of the city with a long tradition dating back to the early days, such as the junction of Santa Fe and Pueyrredón avenues in Recoleta, and the rose garden in Palermo - a popular spot both by night and day.

Progressive legislation

2002: Buenos Aires became the first city in South America to pass a law granting gay couples the same rights and social benefits as heterosexual couples.

2010: Argentina legalised same-sex marriage, becoming the first country in Latin America to do so.

2012: Argentina passed a gender identity law allowing citizens to choose which gender they identify with.

Carlos Jáuregui, a world activist

Carlos Jáuregui was the first president of the Comunidad Homosexual Argentina (CHA) and founder of the association Gays por los Derechos Civiles (Gays for Civil Rights). He led the first gay pride parade in Buenos Aires in 1992 and was an important figure in the campaign for the right to civil union for gay couples. Santa Fé station on line H of the Buenos Aires underground metro (subte) system is dedicated to him, proudly decorated with murals and the colours of the pride flag.

See how we live diversity in Buenos Aires!

Take a look below at just a few of the popular meeting places for the city's LGBT community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Ente de Turismo del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Buenos Aires' atmosphere of tolerance, diversity, liberty and respect makes it the top destination in Latin America for LGBT travellers. The phenomenal nightlife helps too. You'll find in Buenos Aires an incredible openness and a 24/7 LGBT scene fueled by a huge range of pubs, cultural centres, designer bars, terraces, parks and nightclubs where freedom of expression reigns supreme.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For most people, an international journey involves stepping out of your cultural comfort zone. But for the Black traveler does international travel require a bigger leap?

When Black travelers cross borders and barriers, some may wonder to what extent racism resides across the lines. When I decided to quit my job and move to Buenos Aires for a year, I too had my own questions. I wondered what it was like to be Black in Buenos Aires.

To be more specific, I wondered if Argentines are racist.

I wondered if landlords on Airbnb and Craigslist would rent to me.

Ialso wondered if little kids would point at me and if people would want to take pictures with me.

Like many Black people, I wasn't afraid of racism. Like many Black people, being the only one, or one of a few, was nothing new to me. But I really didn't want to spend time and money traveling someplace only to experience discrimination. At the time, I didn't think anyone needed to pay money to get those types of experiences which are, sadly, freely available.

So, while searching online for information about being Black in Buenos Aires, I came across this comment on a blog I want to share with you:
"Why would anyone want to visit a country that takes pride in being 'white-only' and diminishes the humanity of other human beings based solely on one's ethnicity, nationality and or color of one's skin???? That would be akin to a Jewish person visiting Germany in 1940... Why would any self-respecting person put him/herself in a situation where he/she may be dehumanized with belittling jeers and stares, as though one were a creature in the zoo on display for the pleasure of others, not to mention being treated as though one were invisible??? Why would any non-white person want to visit a RACIST country??? Again, I say it's akin, to a Jewish person visit (sic) Germany in 1940 - it makes no sense..."
What do you say to that? After reading that, I began questioning if going to Buenos Aires was a good idea.

Maybe like me, you've read about how Argentina whited out its Black population.

Maybe, like me, you've read about how people in Argentina treated a Black student like a prostitute almost every day.

Maybe, like me, you noticed that Spain and Italy, two countries with large immigrant populations in Buenos Aires, are listed in the top eight worst countries for Black travelers.

So, why would anyone want to visit a RACIST country like that?

Before I went to Buenos Aires, I had no words for that blog comment. I just got my plane ticket, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.

Now, having been to Buenos Aires here's what I would say to that anonymous comment:

My Black Experiences May Vary

We all know there is no universal Blackness and there is also no universal treatment of Black persons. Even during the most atrocious times of oppression for Black people, there were various experiences within the Black community.

While there are likely some general experiences Black people may have in Buenos Aires, my experiences, and how I interpret them, may vary. (Incidentally, my mom and a few of her Black female friends recently went to Italy without any issues.)

It is, as my dad used to tell me, "there are good people and bad people everywhere." I expect to meet the good people... too.

There Are People Like Me Everywhere

Guess what? During my time in Buenos Aires, even though there were fewer of us, I did meet other Black tourists. I'm not saying that every Black face abroad is an automatic friend because that is definitely not the case. But in my new friends, I saw reflections of myself.

We had several things in common: race, language, gender, travel, and more.

By immersing myself in a new culture, I actually met great people from my country, and I had more in common with them than I do most U.S. citizens.

In this case, less was more. By daring to go someplace as a minority, you may meet people with whom you have a majority of things in common.

I Think Globally

Yes, there were times in Buenos Aires when I was frustrated and angry as a Black person. I grew tired of being stared at and having to define and explain myself.

For a while, I thought my experiences were unique to my being Black. But things got better when I started to think about my own blind spots and think globally.

I thought deeply about why people stare. And, I realized I do similar things to people too. I realized that Argentines aren't that different from everyone else, including me.

Yes, some reactions by Argentines are racist and ignorant, but some are just human curiosity.

When I stopped counting all the people staring at me, I realized that Argentines stared at my roommate too. Why? My former roommate, who is from London, not only looks like Brad Pitt, but he has lighter features than some Argentines. He too was obviously not from there.

You have to understand that some of their reactions are just natural responses to them being larger in number and seeing someone fewer in number. Isn't that just natural human behavior?

Have you seen the accounts of how some Africans react to seeing white skin for the first time?

Have you thought about the experiences that some white students have at Historically Black Colleges and Universities?

Some of those interactions too stem from being fewer in number. Indeed, some of my less than positive experiences in Buenos Aires happened because I am Black. But, as I think globally, those reactions weren't always unique to Blackness, nor white people.

It's Not Always Better in My Comfort Zone

I was in Buenos Aires when Eric Garner and Mike Brown were killed by police officers in the United States. It was my friends from Buenos Aires who asked me, "Are you sure you want to go back? They are killing Black people there."

My Argentine friends had a good point. Their question got me thinking about how I never worried about police interactions in Buenos Aires vs. in Baltimore.

Even after I returned to the United States, as protests raged across my homeland, it was those same Argentine friends who asked if I was okay. They were dismayed and shocked by race relations in the United States. Sometimes, I am too.
But Buenos Aires taught me - it's not always "better" in my comfort zone.
I am Better for Going, and So Are They

The last thing I'd say to the blog comment is that I am better for going, and so are they. I'm not talking about enduring hardships that made me stronger. I'm talking about an expansion of my views on race, culture, and societies. I was in Buenos Aires long enough to live in three neighborhoods and make friends. I, as a Black American, drank the water and the wine.

My journey to Buenos Aires is a part of my personal Black History. Now, the Argentines I met also have a history with Blackness because there I was, Black in Buenos Aires.

What I'd Say Now to a Minority Traveler

To any person thinking about visiting a country where they will be in the minority, I say go!

Go, expecting a range of experiences.

Go, expecting to meet (good) people.

Go, with a global mindset.

Go, knowing it's not always better in your comfort zone.

And finally, go, expecting to become better.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For most people, an international journey involves stepping out of your cultural comfort zone. But for the Black traveler does international travel require a bigger leap? When Black travelers cross borders and barriers, some may wonder to what extent racism resides across the lines.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Importance of Being Black and Going Abroad

# data[].attributes.subject
The Importance of Being Black and Going Abroad

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Since 1976, February has been celebrated as Black History Month, during which many different prominent African American figures are recognized and celebrated for their contributions.

In honor of Black History Month, I want to share some of my experiences of being an African American abroad while also emphasizing why it is important for people of color to go abroad.

When looking back at history, we are reminded of how Africans were dispersed all around the world through the slave trade, which had lasting effects on the overall geographical placement of and opportunities for African Americans. Because of this, the experience for people of color to travel abroad can be unbelievably rewarding.

Last week, I attended a seminar at my school that hosted the creators of Black & Abroad, which is a brand started by two male entrepreneurs, Eric Martin and Kent Johnson. They got the inspiration to begin the brand from their own experience traveling and noticing that most flyers and advertisements directed toward travel did not include any African Americans. Through their research, they found that African Americans spend about $63 billion in travel per year and were shocked that they rarely saw representation.

In an effort to change this, Eric and Kent created Black & Abroad. It's a growing business that not only encourages people of color to go abroad and share their experiences, but also sponsors trips. Their T-shirts are worn by people of color all around the world, and the company gained a lot of popularity by people taking pictures abroad and adding the hashtag "#BlackandAbroad."

Eric and Kent were speaking from a business perspective. However, I was able to gather the true meaning behind the overall message and movement; as people of color, our history instills a duty in us to educate ourselves of the world.

My experience abroad was a special one. I was the only African American in my program, and this was not a situation I was anticipating but one I grew to embrace. It was nice being able to connect with the people of color in all five countries I had the chance to visit while I was overseas.

While studying in Paris, I was shocked to see that in certain arrondissements, (the French word for what could translate to "districts") the African population was much more dominant. In these parts of the city, you would find quite a few products unique to African culture. This could range from specific hair products, to foods, restaurants, clothes, and more.

There's no question that Africans and people of color, are major contributors to the culture of any community. From music, fashion, and hairstyles -- our contribution can be seen as universal. Think about how popular Reggae and African music is worldwide!

Here are some quick international facts about Black History that many people don't know:

Did you know Haiti was the world's first black Republic to gain their independence?

Haiti gained their independence on January 1, 1804, making them the first black Republic and Caribbean island to be independent. The movement that set the tone for the revolution was led by a Jamaican who was a free man.

Did you know an African slave was the first person to introduce inoculation (another word for vaccination) in the United States?

A slave named Onesimus introduced the idea of vaccination to his slave master while talking about old African traditions. When a small epidemic of smallpox broke out in Boston, the master shared the tradition with a doctor named Zabdiel Boylston. The doctor adopted the tradition and was condemned by the public to the point where his life was in danger. However, he was able to save many lives. This practice was later used for slaves during the Revolutionary War. This introduced the concept of inoculation/vaccination in the United States. Onesimus is thought to be from Sudan or Ghana.

Onesimus was given to his slave master, Puritan church minister Cotton Mather, as a gift.

Did you know singer Josephine Baker was a spy for the French during World War II?

Baker would smuggle military information to the French by pinning them inside her dress and hiding them in her music sheets!

The House of Slaves Museum

The House of Slaves is a museum located in Gorée Island in Senegal. One of the main features of the museum is the Door of No Return, which is said to be the final exit for slaves before being shipped to the Americas by boat. The walls tell the heartbreaking story of this process, as they display nail scratches when people would attempt to fight their way off the boat.

As Black History Month comes to an end, I want to urge people of color to learn more about black pioneers and revolutionaries from countries other than the United States. You will be shocked to find that everywhere in the world, people of color always pushed through to create a difference.

Zenab Bakayoko is a CEA alumna who studied abroad in Paris, France, during the Spring 2018 semester. She is a graduate of Towson University.

Read more about our CEA MOJO Bloggers & Photographers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Importance of Being Black and Going Abroad

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Since 1976, February has been celebrated as Black History Month, during which many different prominent African American figures are recognized and celebrated for their contributions. In honor of Black History Month, I want to share some of my experiences of being an African American abroad while also emphasizing why it is important for people of color to go abroad.

# data[].attributes.headline
How Latin America Has Treated Its Ethnic and Racial Minorities

# data[].attributes.subject
How Latin America Has Treated Its Ethnic and Racial Minorities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When I moved to Buenos Aires in 2009, I soon noticed the lack of black and indigenous people in the streets. During my Master's Degree, I had a black friend and one day I realized that when he came across another black man on the street, they would greet each other. I asked why, in such a big city, where everyone ignores everyone, they greeted each other. "We are few", he answered me.

Argentina is part of an example that spans Latin America. It is the tangible portrayal of the social, cultural, and identity invisibility of a civilizing quarrel that may have been quietly creeping in from its earliest settlers.

In fact, there is the Argentinean myth that colonization was by European immigrants, who came to populate a large plateau and, in the specific case of Buenos Aires, a swamp.
ALSO READ: Diego Amorim - Will Brazil escape the social upheavals in Latin America?
Buenos Aires was so inhospitable that it was founded twice. Historians say that the first settlers left the city because of a pirate plague and barren muddy soil, leaving only cows and horses behind. However, numerous facts persist regarding the native population and the slave trade that seems very incoherent or ignored.

One day, taken by journalistic rage, I decided to search the immigration records in the country's archives. I found a record of a large number of black people entering Argentina for centuries. According to historians, about 74,000 blacks landed from the River Plate until the 18th century. So, where did they end up?

The historical explanation for the absence of blacks in Argentina would be the decimation of this population due to a yellow fever epidemic and their presence on the front of the Paraguayan War.

In fact, historians often explain that the Argentine expression "carne de cañón", something in the line of "cannon fodder", used for black soldiers going to the Paraguayan War to fight for Argentina. They went proudly, with promises of integration and citizenship, and ended up at the front line with high death tolls. Ironically, historians also point out that tango, a trademark of Argentine identity, has black origins.

The last census conducted by the Argentine government in 2010 admits that Argentine African descendants suffered from both historical and statistical invisibility. At that time, out of a population of 41 million Argentines, only 0.4% declared themselves to be of African descent, just under 150,000 people.

This is a remark. There are etymological and phenotype constraints when we refer to the meanings of the word "black", either as race or color or as a term, in Argentina.

The word black is commonly associated with crime in the country

Anthropologist Alejandro Grimson describes this context: "Black is not necessarily associated in Argentina with certain characteristics of African phenotypes (...). In this sense, they tend to be considered in the ordinary language of the poor as black or little black heads."

In several definitions, including historical ones, it is suggested that the term 'cabecitas negras' appeared in protests in the 1940s in Buenos Aires, when thousands of people, who fit the phenotype, took to the streets.

'Cabecita Negra' is a pejorative term of racist nature, widely used in Argentina. Although the term is part of the popular language of that country, "it is used to disparage a hard-to-define sector of the population associated with working-class dark-haired and intermediate-skinned people," the dictionaries define.

Few outside Argentina know, but there Mercedes Sosa was affectionately called 'La Negra'. She was born in the impoverished province of Tucumán, the daughter of a construction worker and a washerwoman, then married and went to live in Mendoza. But she was recognized in Montevideo, Uruguay. Among the three places where their ashes were scattered are the two cities (Buenos Aires and Montevideo). She claimed to have been happy in one and recognized as an artist in the other.
ALSO READ: Chile has the best HDI ranking position among Latin American countries
What about the indigenous?

The indigenous people also have little visibility at the Argentine capital. Leaving the north of the country in cities like Salta or Jujuy, however, they are more common than European descendants. Many complain about the stereotype created in the capital. It is common to be asked if they come from a neighboring nation for their indigenous traits. The Argentine does not seem to know his own hosts.

It is also interesting to think that in the 1990s, there were more people in Argentina who considered themselves "Indians" than in Brazil, according to the indigenous scholar Alcida Ramos.

In other countries, this denial is often transformed into a kind of apartheid. This is the case of Bolivia, where although there is no lack of registration of the original population, it is possible to see, centuries ago, who were the colonized and who were the colonizers.

Is this social invisibility becoming the myopia of our new geopolitics?

The most striking aspect of Mercedes Sosa is the face that brings us to Latin America like almost no other. When Brazil turned its back on the continent, consciously or not, by Lusophony or choice, Mercedes' face appeared next to Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Maria Betânia, and so many others. The face that many say is that of Pachamama, sovereign goddess among the Indians, many Andean.

Admittedly, many populations from this continent are different from each other. However, Mercedes brings out a regionalism that we sometimes do not realize exists.
ALSO READ: Gabriela Grosskopf Antunes - "By a head": the unusual presidential election in Uruguay
Civilization clash

With due differences and proportions, this movement resembles an international relations theory that shook the academic world in the 1990s. An article by Harvard professor Samuel P. Huntington in Foreign Affairs, which eventually became a best-seller in the US: The Clash of Civilizations.

In this article, Huntington argues that cultural rather than ideological differences in a context of rapprochement due to globalization are the next sources of conflict. Huntington, however, even holding distinctions within the continent, puts Western civilization and Latin America in the same basket, ignoring, at that time, the region's endogenous movements that were growing. Especially because it tends to focus on current issues, such as tensions between the Western world and Muslim societies.

In some ways the author is emphatic, affirming that "religion and cultural differences" will be at the heart of the modern conflict. With the advance of messianic religions and their political capillarity, coupled with the fiercer discussion of identity issues, wouldn't we be experiencing a clash of civilizations?

The settlers and the colonized

With the region in social upheaval and insurgencies emerging from the original populations, and not necessarily from social classes, one might wonder if new cultural and civilizing movements are not being ignored.

It is easy to allude to the question that we are different in Brazil. However, are we so far from our neighbors? Worth another observation here. In Brazil, blacks and browns are not a minority. Even so, they remain marginalized.

There are over 150 ethnic groups in the Amazon, and when I was there a month ago, visiting several of them, I noticed that after years of dispute, they begin to look back at the people who colonized them

I saw clear intercession of values ​​that included the struggle for survival. It can be argued that this struggle has always existed. Nevertheless, this time the differences between them seemed to narrow to undergo a process of internationalization. They needed to coalesce on the continent and they seemed to understand this with astonishing clarity.

Without a political party

Today, in my view, insurgencies in the region go far beyond political predilections, although we are divided by deep partisan differences, and leftist movements have historically appropriated these struggles, sometimes out of goodwill, sometimes out of opportunism.

In Ecuador, indigenous movements do not necessarily stand against right-wing governments. In Chile, where many Mapuche live, on the other hand, there is an insurgency aimed at a right-wing government. In any case, there is a paradigm shift going on and they have now turned to an abyss that we have taken centuries to see.

Coincidences?

I make one more caveat here of not surrendering to partisanship and the dangers of minimizing the present moment as a perennial crisis of party politics. However, a rising with a strong indigenous presence in the region draws attention. Especially when historically revolutions were born out of the middle class.

Fifteen years ago as a journalist I have not yet come across a coincidence. I often say that if something stinks, there is leachate nearby; if something looks like a casualty, it is no accident; if a story is misplaced, there is an unreal narrative behind it.

If a series of events breaks out, they are not isolated facts; they are a phenomenon, such as those proven by Science

There are more than five centuries of civilizing struggles that had been going on silently. Today, they are taking the streets. Whether for seemingly mundane factors, such as a rise in gasoline, a government overdue, or a social outcry. These are just the trigger, not the cause. It looks like we have exactly 527 years of history to solve.

In my favorite song performed by Mercedes Sosa, she goes for a walk around America and feels it in her skin. Happily or not, she cites three countries on this tour after leaving Peru. "Face Bolivia, Tin, and loneliness / A green Brazil kisses my Chile / Copper and Mineral / I climb from the South / Towards America's entrails and total / Pure root of a scream / Destined to grow and burst". And in the chorus, it says "All the voices, all. All hands, all".

Gabriela Grosskopf Antunes A journalist with more than 13 years of experience, Gabriela Grosskopf Antunes collaborated as an international news consultant for Brazil's Federal Government, and as a reporter and freelance producer in several media venues in Brazil. Previously, she worked as an international and local editor for the Buenos Aires Herald, an Argentinian newspaper written completely in English owned by Ámbito Financiero Group; and as a temporary producer for many television channels, such as the American network CBS. Currently, she is one of the editors of the online Portuguese version of Clarín.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Latin America Has Treated Its Ethnic and Racial Minorities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When I moved to Buenos Aires in 2009, I soon noticed the lack of black and indigenous people in the streets. During my Master's Degree, I had a black friend and one day I realized that when he came across another black man on the street, they would greet each other.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Official English Website for the City of Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Buenos Aires has the largest Jewish population in Latin America, and one of the seven largest in the world, and the Jewish community has made many contributions to the city's culture and history. This itinerary takes in some of the most significant landmarks of Jewish Buenos Aires.

Start at Plaza Embajada de Israel, a square at the junction of Arroyo and Suipacha in the Retiro neighbourhood. This is a very poignant spot, not just for the city's Jewish population, but for all in Buenos Aires. The Israeli Embassy after which the square is named was destroyed by a terrorist bombing that killed 22 people on March 17, 1992. Part of the wall of the original building has been preserved in memory of the attack, and 22 linden trees commemorate each of the people who were killed.

This terrible event, together with the bombing of the Jewish association AMIA in July 1994, left an indelible mark on all Argentine society irrespective of religion. Tributes to those who died in each attack can also be found in the Metropolitan Cathedral and the chapel Nuestra Señora del Carmen respectively.

From that poignant start, we can take a step back and explore the history of Buenos Aires' Jewish community. Construction of the city's oldest synagogue, the Sinagoga de la Congregación Israelita Argentina at Libertad 769, San Nicolás, began in 1897. The building was restructured in 1932. It has a Roman-Byzantine style and a facade with two rounded arches, sculptural mouldings, the Star of David and a mosaic depicting two hands with outspread fingers, representing the way that the priests of Jerusalem made blessings. The central nave faces Jerusalem and the synagogue has space for 1,000 worshippers.

Next to the synagogue is the Buenos Aires Jewish Museum, which tells the story of Jewish immigration to Argentina, the establishment of Jewish colonies, and the beginnings of the community in Buenos Aires. Another important museum in the city is the Holocaust Museum, a few blocks away at Montevideo 919. This museum exhibits various artefacts on the horror of the Holocaust and also runs courses to raise awareness against discrimination. The museum's archives include testimonies from Holocaust survivors who migrated to Argentina.

The museum is close to the neighbourhood of Balvanera. Between 1907 and 1925, 60 per cent of the inhabitants of this area were Jewish, and today there are still many Jewish-run businesses in the area. At Pasteur 633, you can find the headquarters of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA), a major Jewish association that was attacked in 1994 in the worst terrorist atrocity Argentina has experienced. The Pasteur metro station, at the junction with Avenida Corrientes, is decorated with art works commemorating the atrocity.

There are two Jewish cultural spaces in the neighbourhood that seem to remain immune to the passing of time: the theatre IFT (Boulogne Sur Mer 549), one of the pillars of independent theatre in the city, and the Fundación IWO (Ayacucho 483), which boasts a library of more than 40,000 volumes.

Lastly, it's a worth getting off the beaten path and heading to the quiet neighbourhood of Coghlan to visit the Centro Ana Frank Argentina (Superí 2467). Inaugurated in 2009 in commemoration of the 80 th anniversary of Anne Frank's birth, this educational centre forms part of the Dutch organisation that preserves the Frank house in Amsterdam.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Ente de Turismo del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Buenos Aires has the largest Jewish population in Latin America, and one of the seven largest in the world, and the Jewish community has made many contributions to the city's culture and history. This itinerary takes in some of the most significant landmarks of Jewish Buenos Aires.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
synagogues in Buenos Aires - Google Search

# data[].attributes.headline
BA is home to the largest mosque in Latin America

# data[].attributes.subject
BA is home to the largest mosque in Latin America

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Official English Website for the City of Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Opened in the year 2000, this mosque is the largest in Latin America. It accommodates 1,500 male worshippers on the ground floor, and 500 female worshippers upstairs.

The complex includes a large library, an exhibition hall, auditorium, offices and a set of classrooms for teaching.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Ente de Turismo del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
King Fahd Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Opened in the year 2000, this mosque is the largest in Latin America. It accommodates 1,500 male worshippers on the ground floor, and 500 female worshippers upstairs. The complex includes a large library, an exhibition hall, auditorium, offices and a set of classrooms for teaching.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You know about the steaks and the tango. But what about the Zen gardens?

By The Editors

Get Daily Dharma in your email

Start your day with a fresh perspective

Explore timeless teachings through modern methods.

With Stephen Batchelor, Sharon Salzberg, Andrew Olendzki, and more

See Our Courses

Illustration by James Noel Smith

This South American city has long been prized for its Belle Epoque architecture, narrow streets, numerous bookstores- more per person in 2013 than any other city in the world-and coffee shop culture. And though you wouldn't mistake it for Bodhgaya, Buenos Aires has seen a sizeable increase in Buddhist residents from Asian countries since the 1980s. Today, the city is home to about 5,000 immigrant Buddhists and 25,000 converts. The renowned writer Jorge Luis Borges, a Buenos Aires native, was one of many Argentinians who have been drawn to the dharma. If you find yourself in the city of Porteños (as the residents of this port city are known), here is our guide for the Buddhist traveler.

1| Tzong Kuan Temple
Though Argentina's only Chinatown spans but a few city streets in the upscale Belgrano neighborhood, you can't miss its giant red-roofed archway. Barrio Chino is home to more than 100 businesses, and the neighborhood can see 15,000 visitors a weekend. Be sure to look up the Templo Budista Tzong Kuan, which is home to a large gold Buddha and a robust congregation of 500. Montañeses 2175
tzongkuan.org
2| Furaibo

This recreation of an ancient Japanese temple sits in one of Buenos Aires's oldest homes, complete with Zen gardens on the grounds. Furaibo offers acupuncture and other traditional health treatments, holds classic tea ceremonies, and is home to a cozy, vegan-friendly restaurant.
Adolfo Alsina 429
furaiboba.com.ar
3| Soka Gakkai Internacionale de la Argentina
The Nichiren organization's chapter here features an auditorium designed by the renowned Italian-Argentine architect Clorindo Testa.
Donado 2150
sgiar.org.ar

4| Templo Budista Fo Guang Shan
Established in 1992 to serve local Chinese and Taiwanese Buddhists, Fo Guang Shan later expanded-especially after the temple's current master, Bhikshuni Chueh Kae, translated religious texts into Spanish and began offering courses in meditation, martial arts, and yoga. FGS is also a popular option for vegetarian cuisine (contact them 24 hours in advance to book a spot for their prix fixe lunch) and hosts vegetarian cooking workshops on a regular basis.
Crámer 1733;
facebook.com/FGSArgentina

5| Jardín Japonés
This tranquil public park run by the Japanese Argentine Cultural Foundation boasts one of the largest Japanese gardens outside of Japan, as well as many smaller gardens, koi ponds, and a teahouse. You can also attend courses here in Japanese arts and talks on topics such as nutrition and hand reflexology.
Av. Casares 2966
jardinjapones.org.ar

6| Vipassana Buenos Aires - Anumodana Argentina
Founded by Buenos Aires native Eduardo Torres Astigueta, this meditation community holds intimate weekly practices in Palermo and Flores, close to tourist hotspots.
Aranguren 2314 and Arévalo y Niceto Vega
vipassanabuenosaires.com

7| Zen Deshimaru Buddhist Association
Visit this Buenos Aires dojo for sitting meditation (twice a day Tuesday through Friday, in the mornings Saturday and Sunday). They also teach hatha yoga and Japanese calligraphy.
Gurruchaga 365
zen-deshimaru.com/en/ dojos/buenos-aires-zen-dojo

8| Kagyu Tekchen Chöling Institute
Established in 1983, this is the first Tibetan Buddhist center in all of Latin America. You can practice walking meditation under the watchful eye of its stupa from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Av. Melian 2338
ktcarg2.weebly.com

Get Daily Dharma in your email

Start your day with a fresh perspective

Explore timeless teachings through modern methods.

With Stephen Batchelor, Sharon Salzberg, Andrew Olendzki, and more

See Our Courses

Thank you for subscribing to Tricycle! As a nonprofit, we depend on readers like you to keep Buddhist teachings and practices widely available.

This article is only for Subscribers!

Subscribe now to read this article and get immediate access to everything else.

Subscribe Now

Already a subscriber? Log in.

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

By Wendy Biddlecombe Agsar

By Adrienne Bard de Palazuelos, Illustration by Michael Byers

By Julia Hirsch and Joan Duncan Oliver

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You know about the steaks and the tango. But what about the Zen gardens? By The Editors Get Daily Dharma in your email Start your day with a fresh perspective Explore timeless teachings through modern methods.

# data[].attributes.headline
59 % of Argentines agreed that women today in Argentina will have a better life than the women from their parent’s generation

# data[].attributes.subject
59 % of Argentines agreed that women today in Argentina will have a better life than the women from their parent’s generation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Sixty-two percent of people in the country believe that there are more advantages in being a man in Argentina than there are to being a woman, according to a new study conducted by Ipsos.

Feelings on the issue vary across other Latin American countries that participated in the study, however, peaking in Chile at 71 percent and dipping to only 45 percent in Brazil.

The data, released via a report that was created in collaboration with the Global Institute for Women's Leadership and King's College London, also showed that 59 percent of Argentines agreed that women today in Argentina will have a better life than the women from their parent's generation.

The survey, titled Global Attitudes Towards Gender Equality, questioned citizens of 27 different countries across the globe between December 21, 2018 and January 4, 2019. And It covered a sample of 18,800 adults of all genders between the ages of 18 and 64 in the United States and Canada and the ages of 16 and 64 in all other participating countries.

Other Latin American countries that participated in the survey are Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. In Argentina, approximately 500 individuals were surveyed.

In the study's final release, the data was divided into six sections: Women in Society Today, Attitudes to Gender Equality, Men's Role in Equality, Issues Facing Women, Actions for Change and Achieving Equality. The section Men's Role in Equality, was a new addition, appearing for the first time in the 2019 survey.

As a part of this new addition, the survey found that 64 percent of local residents agree that "women won't achieve equality in Argentina unless men take actions to support women's rights too." But despite this discovery, 48 percent of respondents said that "men are being expected to do too much to support women's equality in Argentina."

Another surprising finding is that 82 percent of Argentine respondents disagreed with the sentiment that "a man who stays at home to look after his children is less of a man," evidence of a growing generational shift in attitudes toward parenting.

This conclusion coincides with the 47 percent of Argentines who are confident that discrimination in regard to looking after children at home will be eliminated within the next 20 years.
'Long road ahead'
Arriving in the same week as International Women's Day, the survey conducted attempted to define a global perspective of what gender equality looks like today and its prospects in the future.

"The study shows there is still a long road ahead to achieving gender equality globally. What's more, we know from previous work that people underestimate the scale of the task in hand," said Kelly Beaver, Managing Director of Ipsos MORI's Social Research Institute, in a press release.

Although the study found that only 32 percent of Argentines identify themselves as feminists, a decrease from last year, some 66 percent of respondents said that "achieving equality between men and women is important to me personally."

As perceived by Argentine respondents, the three most prevalent issues currently faced by women and girls are sexual harassment, sexual violence and physical violence.

To best combat these threats, 47 percent of Argentine participants contended that tougher laws need to be enacted to prevent violence and harassment against women. Whereas 37 percent said that boys and girls need to be educated about the importance of gender equality in school and 36 percent said that men and women need to be paid the same for the same work.

In response to recent attempts for change, 47 percent agreed that not enough is being done to achieve equal rights in politics and government. And 43 percent said that not enough is being done to promote gender equality through education.

But even with the general acknowledgement that more needs to be done to achieve gender equality, more Argentines responded as confident than as not confident that within the next 20 years gender inequality can be eliminated in varying sectors of society.

"A balanced world is a better world," said Glenda Slingsby, International Women's Day, in a press release. "The findings of the study highlight that everyone can play a role in forging gender parity. Gender balance is not a women's issue, it's an economic issue - so advocacy, inclusive mindsets and tangible action are needed from all."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Gender equality study grants insight into the views of Argentines

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sixty-two percent of people in the country believe that there are more advantages in being a man in Argentina than there are to being a woman, according to a new study conducted by Ipsos. Feelings on the issue vary across other Latin American countries that participated in the study, however, peaking in Chile at 71 percent and dipping to only 45 percent in Brazil.

# data[].attributes.headline
I am here to tell you that I come from a low-income family and I was still able to fulfill my dream of studying abroad

# data[].attributes.subject
I am here to tell you that I come from a low-income family and I was still able to fulfill my dream of studying abroad

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A lot of people who go to college go in with the mindset that they are going to study abroad. As freshman year and sophomore year go by, students start to give up on that dream, because not only does life get in the way -- but finances do, too. I know many students who wanted to go abroad but after seeing the amount of money that it costs, they decided they were not going to go. I was nervous when I saw the cost of going abroad, too; however, I wanted to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I began to find ways that would help me fund my experience.

I am a Chicana, which makes me a minority. For those of you who don't know, only 17% of minorities from the United States study abroad, and only 8%-10% of Chicanas/Latinas study abroad. Not only are these percentages low (because it is uncommon for minorities to leave home for a long time), but it is also because many minorities do not have or feel like they have the funds to go abroad. I am here to tell you that I come from a low-income family and I was still able to fulfill my dream of studying abroad.

If you are wanting to study abroad in Spain but you are tight on money, I was in the same place -- so I am here to give you some tips. First, the cost of your study abroad program will vary on what country and city you decide to go to. You will need to figure that out before you go on to the next step. Once you have figured that out, you should talk to your advisors or the financial aid office at your school, because they can give you an estimate as to how much financial aid you will get for the country/city you choose. From there, you can decide whether you still need some extra cash. I personally did need extra money, so I worked and saved up. Also, I applied to two study abroad scholarships that my school, the University of California - Riverside, offered, and I was awarded them. I recommend you go on your school website and search for scholarships that they offer. Every school is different, so you you can ask your advisor about more details on scholarships that your school offers. In addition, CEA does offer scholarships, so I encourage you to look into those and apply before the deadline.

I would also recommend getting a credit card. I know a lot of people get frightened by the thought of having a credit card, because maybe your parents or other people you know are in debt. However, I do not suggest you get one and use it for random purposes. I would recommend you have it for emergencies, strictly. Capital One, for example, is a great credit card to get because they do not charge you international fees when you use it.

Lastly, before I went on my study abroad experience to Alicante, Spain, I made a budget for every month that I was going to be there. I looked at the money financial aid was going to give me, the scholarships I got, and what I had saved up from working. I believe that budgeting is very important, because it gives you security and stability. This will result in you enjoying your experience rather than stressing. One last tip that I will give you is to ask your friends and family for some money. But do it in a kind way -- for example, you can make a GoFundMe account and you can share the link with friends and family on social media. You can also do a fundraiser, like selling food or snacks at church or your sibling's sports game.

All in all, if there is a will there's a way. There are many resources out there that can help make your study abroad wish come true. Do not be afraid to ask people for help, and do your research on scholarship opportunities! I wish you the best of luck.

Esther Rivera is a CEA Alumni Ambassador who studied abroad in Alicante, Spain, during the Fall 2019 semester. She is currently a student at the University of California - Riverside. Read more about our CEA MOJO Bloggers & Photographers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Prepare Financially Before Studying Abroad

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A lot of people who go to college go in with the mindset that they are going to study abroad. As freshman year and sophomore year go by, students start to give up on that dream, because not only does life get in the way -- but finances do, too.

# data[].attributes.headline
Argentina: Living peacefully as one Nation

# data[].attributes.subject
Argentina: Living peacefully as one Nation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Argentina es Diversidad   (Español, English Subtitles)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Before going abroad, take some time to explore different resources that can help you get a better idea of what it might be like to be YOU while you're abroad. This section of our website is divided by different social identities. You may belong to one or all of these groups, and our goal at CEA is to give you insights for as many of your identities as possible.

GETTING STARTED

DiversityAbroad.com - the student services arm of the Diversity Abroad Network that provides a space for diverse and underrepresented students to access resources and build community. It features blogs, scholarships, and specific resources for preparing to go abroad, living abroad, and coming home.

US State Department's Student Website - covering everything from absentee voting to a traveler's checklist to resources for different group identities, this is a great site to learn official information from the government about how to get ready for going abroad

Center for Disease Control and Prevention - specific information by country for study abroad students on vaccines, medicines, and medical advice

Funding opportunities

CEA Study Abroad scholarships - grants, vouchers and other funding options exclusively for CEA students

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship - U.S. Department of State's grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad

Fund for Education Abroad - provides scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population, including minority, community college, and first-generation college students.

Boren Scholarships & Fellowships - an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

LGBTQIA+ Abroad

Make sure to take the time to learn about the cultural norms, gender roles, stereotypes and politics of where you might like to go abroad. Think about how those differing ideas, attitudes, behaviors and laws might impact your experience overseas.

National Center for Transgender Equality - an organization that advocates to change policies and society to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender people and the website includes relevant information about airport security, passports, and immigration documents.

Rainbow SIG - resources like scholarships and advice guides for students studying abroad who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+)

International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association - is the world federation of national and local organizations dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people across the globe and their website includes resources like a map of sexual orientation laws in the world and a report on global attitudes

Spartacus Gay Travel Index - news, guides, events, blogs and country specific information for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+)

OutRight Action International - an organization that fights for human rights for LGBTIQ people everywhere.

TransRespect vs. Transphobia Worldwide - a global research project, seeking to provide an overview of the human rights situation for trans- and gender-diverse people in different parts of the world.

Free and Equal - United Nations - a global United Nations public information campaign aimed at promoting equal rights and fair treatment of LGBTQI+ people.

Three Reasons Paris is Great for LGBTQ Students - CEA Blog

Trans Travel Tips - a tip sheet from the Canadian Human Rights Trust

Transgender Travel Guide - get through the TSA Safely

Meaningful Travel Tips & Tales: LGBTQ+ Perspectives - a free ebook published by Goabroad.com Get Through The TSA Safely

LGBT Students and Study Abroad Document - a guide from Ithaca College

Print Resources for LGBTQ Students Studying Abroad - resources from Carleton college which include suggested readings for different regions of the world

Dopes on the road - a female LGBT travel guide

Invisible Identities Abroad - Mental Health, Allergies, and Learning Needs

Make sure to take the time to learn about the cultural norms, gender roles, stereotypes and politics of where you're going abroad. Think about how those differing ideas, attitudes, behaviors and laws might impact your experience overseas.

Creating an Emotional Passport and Video Presentation - a printable resource to help students successfully " Culture Shift," developed by Dr. Janice Abarbanel Study Abroad Psychologist and Health Educator, and a presentation given to MIT students getting ready to go abroad

US Department of Agriculture - Country- Specific Import/Export Laws about bringing an animal, like an emotional support animal, abroad including policies and quarantine periods

Pet Friendly Travel - information about pet relief areas in airports, regulations in foreign countries, vaccination requirements, and specific airline regulations.

Mobility International USA - article about traveling internationally with a guide dog or service animal

Food Allergy Preparations - a short article with 6 suggested steps to prepare to study abroad if you have a food allergy

How to study abroad with dietary restrictions - important considerations for study abroad

How to travel well with dietary restrictions and food allergies - an article with general tips for those with food allergies, celiac disease or multiple restrictions

Celiac Travel - a website dedicated to getting facts and tips for special diets around the world

Eating Vegan Abroad - Nine tips for vegans who travel abroad

Happycow.net - a website with vegan/vegetarian restaurant listings, recipes, and stores around the world

Halal Restaurants & Stores - Directory of halal restaurants and stores worldwide.

Trevor Project - leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people with crisis text, chat and call services

Accessibility Abroad

Make sure to take the time to learn about the cultural norms, gender roles, stereotypes and politics of where you're going abroad. Think about how those differing ideas, attitudes, behaviors and laws might impact your experience overseas.

Mobility International USA - a disability-led non-profit organization working to empower people with disabilities to achieve their human rights through international exchange

Abroad with Disabilities - empowers persons with disabilities to engage in domestic and international travel by providing resources, spreading awareness and providing information on accessibility in various locations around the world

Traveling with Disabilities - US State Department Information

Open Doors® Statistics on U.S. College-Level Study Abroad Students with Disabilities - a brief article with key information for those wanting to learn more about the number of students with disabilities who study abroad

Religion & Spirituality Abroad

Make sure to take the time to learn about the cultural norms, gender roles, stereotypes and politics of where you're going abroad. Think about how those differing ideas, attitudes, behaviors and laws might impact your experience overseas.
International Religious Freedoms Report
World Buddhist Directory - searchable database to find Buddhist centers around the world

Church Finder: Limited international church listings.

Christianity Today International - International network of Christian ministries, search for your denomination and your host country or city name.

Hindu Temples Worldwide: Details of various Hindu temples around the world

All Hindu Temples: Hindu temple directory for more than 50 countries.

Islamic Finder: Directory of prayer times, Islamic organizations, and mosques worldwide.

Muslim Internet Directory: organizations and resources worldwide.

Halal Restaurants & Stores: Directory of halal restaurants and stores worldwide.

Jewish Virtual Library: List of synagogues worldwide

World Union of Jewish Students: WUJS is an international umbrella organization comprised of 48 national independent Jewish Student Unions around the world.

KahalaAbroad: an organization that connects individuals with a local Jewish community while abroad

Have Halal Will Travel: provides travel guides, itineraries, accommodation options, and more for Muslim students

Yeah That's Kosher: provides a guide to keeping kosher internationally, at a country level

Veterans & ROTC Abroad

Each state has its own legislation pertaining to veteran educational funding. Be sure to check out the information because some individuals can receive both federal and state veteran educational funds. Funds apply differently depending on the program, be sure to talk to your university's Office of Veteran's Affairs for more information for your specific case.
US Department of Veteran Affairs
How to Study Abroad as a Veteran - an article about studying abroad as a Veteran in the Havok Journal, which seeks to serve as a voice for the veteran community

CEA's Diversity & Inclusion Committee serves to raise awareness and provide timely resources to the organization in support of CEA's core value "Embrace Differences". The committee works to propel the organization forward as a facilitator of access, diversity, inclusion, and equity within international education.

Andrea Masini, Senior Academic Coordinator in Rome, Italy

I've always been committed in the fight for integration and social inclusion. I had been asked to take part in the Diversity Committee also because I'm an activist for the LGBTQIA+ within the Roman community, I accepted immediately.

Back in January 2016 I was with my boyfriend taking part in one of the biggest marches in support of gay marriage that was going to be approved by the Italian Government. We kissed each other in front of the Pantheon and a photo was taken of us by the many journalists there. That photo has been shared all over the world by newspapers, news outlets and various websites and has become a sort of symbol for the Italian civil right law approved in May 2016.
New York Times: Italy Divided Over Effort to Legalize Civil Unions for Gays

Elizabeth Kather, Director of Health, Safety and Student Affairs

Working with students for over 15 years during their pivotal college years has fostered my deep appreciation for all they accomplish as they grow, develop and achieve their educational desires and dreams. I believe student success depends on recognizing their multiple identities, facilitating their inclusion, and supporting their needs in and out of the classroom.

Jorge Garay Cañamero, Student Life Advisor in Granada, Spain

Before joining CEA, I worked with diverse NGO helping the underrepresented part of the Spanish society (refugees, people with very diverse background, race, religion, etc.). Being part of the Diversity Committee is a great opportunity for me to keep on improving and educating the society in how important it is to give everyone the same opportunities.

Maggie Banchs, Program Director in San José, Costa Rica

Living in the "pura vida" country is amazing, but we're still a society that is learning how to understand the concept of accepting what's outside of the norm that has predominate for generations. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, working at a place like CEA is a great opportunity to be part of the change and educate the local community. Another key component for me to be so excited to be part of this committee is to bring visibility to the many under-represented students we're receiving, especially as a Latin country, and to bring ideas on how to help them achieve a successful study abroad experience.

Seth Weil, Regional Director of University Relations, Mid-Atlantic

My Pronouns: (He, Him, His)

Throughout my career in international education I have worked to increase access to transformative education abroad programs. Students from under-represented backgrounds have not always seen study abroad as an option and I am committed to changing that perception. In my previous work with traditionally under-represented student populations I have facilitated workshops for first generation and LGBTQ+ students, helped identify scholarships for high financial need students, and advised students from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I understand the importance of representation, equity and access. I am excited to work with the Diversity Committee to continue to continue this work as we build new and innovative study abroad programs for all students.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Before going abroad, take some time to explore different resources that can help you get a better idea of what it might be like to be YOU while you're abroad. This section of our website is divided by different social identities.

# data[].attributes.headline
Diverse groups have taken on the carnival spirit to express their own political and social concerns

# data[].attributes.subject
Diverse groups have taken on the carnival spirit to express their own political and social concerns

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
More than 1.5 million people took to the streets of Buenos Aires last weekend to celebrate the Carnival holiday, enjoying the parades and entertainment provided by the murgas, musical performance groups from each district.

Yet the murgas, whose members practise for months in parks across the City ahead of their performance, haven't always been such a prominent part of local Carnival culture.

The history of Argentina's own version of Carnival is a long and surprisingly political one. According to some, it started as a mixture of Spanish colonialist tradition and Candombe dance, performed by black slaves during the 1600s.

The dance was used as a way for the slaves to express disenchantment with their situation. Today's traditional get-up for the porteño Carnival - a top hat and suit - harks back to the outfits worn by slaves in an impersonation of their masters.

Over the centuries, Carnival evolved from being practised privately in the home into neighbourhood clubs, before spreading onto the streets with masks, colourful costumes and floats, evolving into the parades which today flood through the City during the four-day weekend.

Reminiscent of Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin's theory of the 'carnivalesque' as a satirical challenge to authority and traditional social hierarchy, the murgas are highly politically charged, serving as a way for the working classes to express their feelings about those in power.

During Argentina's military dictatorship, for example, the once recognised public holidays were removed, with murgas only allowed to perform in controlled areas. The Carnival spirit was a threat to social hierarchy, the Junta believed, as the songs included subversive political messages.

After the fall of the regime, the murgas began to slowly evolve once again, with women and the middle-classes taking part in increasing numbers. In 2011, then-president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner reinstated Carnival as a national holiday.

Today, both Carnival and the murgas continue to evolve. Minority groups have taken on the carnival spirit to express their own political and social concerns.

Lxs Quitapenas is a murga group that was founded in 1990, It took to the streets this year in celebration of the LGBT and feminist community in Buenos Aires, calling for a Carnival free from misogynist violence.

In an interview with the Times, Luciana Vainer - a founding member of the group, which was born out of a workshop at the Ricardo Rojas Cultural Centre - explained that the group changed their pronoun from 'Los' to 'Lxs' last year to display their non-binary identity.

Carnival includes "fellowship, working in a community project which represents us, doing street art, performing a traditional genre of Buenos Aires Carnival and seeking renewal, too," Vainer added. "We seek to provide good representation. We express what we believe."

"The carnival is a very good space for the expression of social and political ideas... it is a great game, which uses humour, irony, mischief that helps us to say what we think and value in life and invite people who are at the parades to rethink reality."

This year, for example, one of the group's songs emphasised the importance of the murga as a form of political activism: "To recover the joy of the people/so the past does not happen to us again/we will need to reflect and to think/on the street you have to be/that is where you have to be/so they will never betray us again." (English translation)

Vainer said Lxs Quitapenas reflects Carnival culture's historic acceptance of the LGBT community in Argentina, railing against the rejection the group has faced from many quarters.

A series of testimonials recently published by the Trans Memorial Archive illustrated how during the 1990s, Carnival was the one of the only opportunities for trans people to celebrate their identity with freedom.

"People applauded us: they shouted nice things and took pictures with us. We were like the stars of the party," read one unattributed contribution. "We were an attraction, because for the rest of the year we were hidden because of repression."

Circumstances may have changed today, but Carnival's tradition of serving as a space for radical expression looks set to live on for many more years to come.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Carnival in 2019: how the four-day weekend gives minorities a voice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
More than 1.5 million people took to the streets of Buenos Aires last weekend to celebrate the Carnival holiday, enjoying the parades and entertainment provided by the murgas, musical performance groups from each district. Yet the murgas, whose members practise for months in parks across the City ahead of their performance, haven't always been such a prominent part of local Carnival culture.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Concebimos la moda en un estado más embrionario. Nuestra intención es incomodar y promover tu propia revolución.

Vivimos atravesados por las influencias de la música y el arte, como generadores de sentido y experimentación.

"Para nosotros, los rulos siguen siendo tendencia. Nos enfocamos en un corte donde se deje ver el rostro y que no se oculte tras los rulos. Por eso, es importante proponer flequillos para que los cortes con pelos ondulados tengan más carácter."

"Los acompañamos con un color uniforme, ya que los rulos no son consecuentes con los reflejos, ni mechas rubias, porque se entremezclan de manera desprolija y no es para nada actual. Sí pueden ir acompañados con una iluminación suave uno o dos tonos más claros para dar destellos de luz. Estos cortes con rulos también se pueden llevar más cortos, con el largo que la clienta desee."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Concebimos la moda en un estado más embrionario. Nuestra intención es incomodar y promover tu propia revolución. Vivimos atravesados por las influencias de la música y el arte, como generadores de sentido y experimentación. "Para nosotros, los rulos siguen siendo tendencia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Study Abroad Blog | Study Abroad Experiences, Advice & Tips

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Studying abroad is more than just an academic experience - it's a life experience. CEA's Study Abroad Blog helps you with critical resources, advice & tips.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Let's get this out of the way: Yes, I play basketball sometimes, no I don't hit my head everywhere, yeah planes suck, no we're not all this tall in Australia. I'm 6″5, 198cm, placing me a full 26cm or 9 inches above the average Argentine man and 39cm or 13 inches above your Argentine woman. There's nothing inconspicuous about me. I stand out. Despite my presence, I'm an unexpected obstacle for the already pedestrian etiquette-inept porteños. Argentines are still working on this 'taking preventative measures' thing. And I'll admit, it's alluring to live in a place where I'll never quite fit in. Everyday feels like I'm making my mark. That said, I do have a strange feeling of responsibility for my city adventuring, like nature lovers who go to great lengths to leave the environment they travel through completely untouched. It's important to leave no road kill.

Next you have conversing with strangers. There's a subtle yet important difference between the 'jugás basquet?' (referred to as JBQ from now on) in Argentina than my home country of Australia. The tone is softer, inquisitive, and anticipatory; my answer is treated as informative. In Australia, we tend to be sarcastic and prodding - we don't actually care about learning anything, just drawing your attention to what drew our attention. It's a culture born out of Tall Poppy Syndrome - named after a plant cultivated by an indiscriminate clipping, averaging out all heights in the field. In Argentina, not so much. It's as if they're a little excited for you, like you just graduated or got engaged. "Isn't this great for you!"

My favorite moment is how visible their brain overload is while processing my reply to JBQ - a gringo accent AND a basketball player, where do I begin?! But Argentines rarely respond with over-thinking. Conversation is always pleasant, friendly and inclusive, where the gesture of kindness is the priority, with words and topic being secondary. It all feels very present-tense - a quick coffee break before we continue on into our futures, not a sharpening of wits and a spar just because. Lying underneath these social norms is a big cultural difference between Argentines and the Anglosphere: Distinct features are a source of interest, but merely bridges to understanding the person relative to the condition, not for type-casting.

People assume Argentina must be awkward for me, but 99% of the time I barely notice. Having said that, there are traps. Doing some trámites (or "running errands") and run into 30 minute problems at the service counter? That's a trip to the masseuse - the plastic-cut conversation holes are never appropriately placed. I rely on the great efficiency of the big steel trough in Australia, but here they're big on lowly-mounted, under-sized urinals, tightly packed side-by-side. Bathroom trips can be an aim-pressuring, claustrophobic experience. There's false friends too: Buses may present convenient high railing when needed most but don't be fooled, that slick plastic bar cover doesn't mean it's intended to be handled and therefore regularly cleaned.

On the flip side, I provide useful services to friends and occasionally, strangers. Lost friends at a concert? No problem, just scour the crowd for the gigante (I've been thanked for this). Toilet button not starting a flush? An awkward situation - unless you can reach into the depths of the wall's plumbing and reset the water. Elevator malfunction? First of all, my weight was probably a factor: I have a duty here. Luckily it's nothing a little teamwork boost up can't overcome - and nothing gets people's mood up like a quick escape from an elevator. Just don't ask me to play goal keeper in a football game - we'll both feel like idiots.

All this said, I doubt my day-to-day experiences would be all that tangibly different if I was, say, 180cm. But isn't that the point? I had preconceptions about myself and made loose assumptions about others and their reactions. I would have a list of scripted lines to common tongue-in-cheek questions people would ask me: 'What, tall? I'm only 170cm... oh god you're shrinking right now!' and 'Would you like the number of my height-enhancement surgeon? He's legit! Not to mention he saved my relationship...'. On the surface, all in good fun, but they had a hint of bitterness - a defensive reaction to people with good intentions at heart.

I've since changed my attitude.

Never once did I feel like throwing people a sarcastic quip while in Argentina. And upon returning to Australia, I made sure to carry that attitude over. My eye-rolling negativity has been replaced by warmer pleasantness. For years I was in a 'social auto-pilot' with strangers, not conscious to what was happening - I'd just nod my head, waiting for it all to end. Luckily, Argentines have reminded me of this forgotten place called 'the present'. It's importance is fleeting but I've since found it invigorating to spend a moment there with strangers, talking about the simple things like the enjoyable lost art that it is. Besides, I am tall - I of all people shouldn't be missing the forest for the trees.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Being Tall in Argentina: Reflective Thoughts and a Life Lesson | The Bubble

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Let's get this out of the way: Yes, I play basketball sometimes, no I don't hit my head everywhere, yeah planes suck, no we're not all this tall in Australia. I'm 6"5 or 198 centimeters, placing me a full 26 centimeters or 9 inches above the average Argentine man and 39cm or 13 inches above your Argentine girl.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mental Health & 24/7 Emergency Rooms in BA

# data[].attributes.subject
Mental Health & 24/7 Emergency Rooms in BA

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Buenos Aires Ciudad - Gobierno de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Integradas a la Red Metropolitana de Servicios de Salud Mental del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, las 24 horas, los 365 días del año.

# data[].attributes.headline
Not only am I the first person in my family to go to college but I am the first generation in the United States

# data[].attributes.subject
Not only am I the first person in my family to go to college but I am the first generation in the United States

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
"A dream come true" is how I describe my study abroad experience to anyone who asks. Not for your normal reasons -- such as travel, incredible history, and people. But because, contrary to many people, I can't say "I never imagined this" -- I did. I worked for it since I knew it was an option in middle school and with only one semester in college, I achieved that almost lifelong goal. The same can't be said for my family. As you all know, Cuba is a communist country. In 1983, my father was sent to Berlin to work in a factory. Life was much better than in Cuba, but still not ideal. He would tell me how he and his friends would go to the rooftop of where they lived and look over to the other side of the wall. They imagined how much better their lives would be. He never imagined he would have a daughter that would be standing on the other side. I remember calling him on FaceTime at the "Brandenburg Gate" and seeing tears in his eyes. It was a big moment for me, not just another thing to tick off the tourist list.

Here's the thing, I'm a first-generation college student. Not only am I the first person in my family to go to college but I am the first generation in the United States. I come from Camaguey, Cuba. My family was very humble, and like many people, they wanted to come to America chasing the dream. Rather than for themselves, it was for me.

I came to the United States when I was 7 years old. I knew no English and failed third grade because I couldn't even read it. My school didn't have ESL since there were not that many Latinos in Louisville at the time. I had to put my best foot forward and work for my education. College was never a choice; it was a guarantee. I didn't know how I would afford it, but I knew that was the goal.

I went to Western High School here in Louisville, Kentucky. It helps students from low-income families go to college. There, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime by being able to attend college full-time as a high school junior. With this opportunity, I graduated from high school with an associate's degree and 63+ college credits ready to transfer to a university. I graduated cum laude with a 4.6 GPA. I was proud of myself but knew this was only the beginning. Thanks to my hard work, dedication, and drive, I now have enough scholarships to the point where my education comes at no cost. I started to attend the University of Louisville in August 2018, and by September I was filling out the paperwork to study abroad with CEA in the French Riviera for the Spring 2019 semester.

As a non-citizen and as the first person in my family to not only go to college but study abroad, I needed all the guidance I could get, and CEA was there for me the whole way. Whether via email, phone calls, text, whatever it may be -- they always helped in every way to ensure I could achieve my goal.

Most people ask me: why not study abroad in Spain if you know Spanish? And here's the answer. As shocking as it may be, I wanted to go somewhere completely different. A small town where I didn't know the language and where I knew English wouldn't dominate. I wanted to feel the struggle my mother went through coming to the United States. I wanted to prove to myself that I could build resilience and shine and prosper in one of the most challenging environments I could place myself in.

I have no regrets. Not only did it grow my appreciation for my family for having endured such a change with absolutely nothing. CEA offered me guidance and a home; meanwhile, my mother had to build all of that on her own here. I learned independence in a way beyond words.

France became by home by the end of the four months because it allowed me not to grow but blossom into a person I didn't know I could be. It allowed me to learn about others and their lives. While abroad, I tried to speak to locals in each country I visited (nine total), and I found that as humankind we are all fairly similar. We are looking for prosperity and happiness. We all fall and get back up. We all have to learn and go outside of our comfort zones.

If you are a first-generation college student, I applaud you for stepping into the unknown. For furthering your education and growing yourself. I urge you to study abroad -- if not for a whole semester like I did, then at least for a summer. It will teach you things beyond textbooks and lectures. I know it can be scary and not everyone has financial stability, but see it as an investment in the most profitable business you will ever have: yourself. Paul Coelho once said "If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal." For me, making my family proud is priceless. Showing my mother her sacrifices weren't in vain is my biggest achievement. And studying abroad showed me that no matter your culture, ethnicity, race, or place of birth, everyone deserves respect and an opportunity to grow.
Olivia Gutierrez Padron is a CEA Alumni Ambassador who studied abroad in the French Riviera during the Spring 2019 semester. She is currently a student at the University of Louisville.
Read more about our CEA MOJO Bloggers & Photographers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
My Journey: Studying Abroad as a First-Generation College Student

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
"A dream come true" is how I describe my study abroad experience to anyone who asks. Not for your normal reasons -- such as travel, incredible history, and people. But because, contrary to many people, I can't say "I never imagined this" -- I did.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Official English Website for the City of Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Ente de Turismo del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A bit of Syria, Japan, Italy, Spain and France in Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Official English Website for the City of Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Ente de Turismo del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A little bit of Peru, Korea, China, Armenia and Ireland

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Argentina is internationally recognized as having one of the most advanced systems of rights for members of the LGBTQ community in the world. The public here have long advocated for minorities, the oppressed and the marginalized. Activism is a cornerstone of Argentine culture, and protests are commonplace in the centre of Buenos Aires around the Congress building and the Casa Rosada (the government house). Everything from pension reform to abortion and gay and trans rights are brought before the government by way of public protest. Argentine society demands to make their voice heard, and it often works.

Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010. It was the second country in the Americas to do so, and the tenth in the world, making it a world leader in the recognition of gay rights. This legislation followed the institution of same-sex civil unions in the Rio Negro and Buenos Aires provinces in 2005, after which conjugal visits for gay inmates were also permitted in Cordoba. Same-sex marriage was legalised in July 2010, a milestone for a Catholic country in Latin America. This legislation also allowed same-sex couples to adopt, and lesbian couples have equal access to IVF treatment.

Laws regarding transgender people are also incredibly progressive in Argentina. The Gender Identity Law was passed in 2012, allowing trans people to transition without the fear of being diagnosed with some sort of psychological abnormality to prevent them from doing so. Argentina has been cited as an "exemplary country for transgender rights" by the World Health Organisation.

Beyond this, there is a thriving gay scene in Argentina, especially in the capital of Buenos Aires. There are a plethora of gay clubs and nights catering to people of all genders and sexual preferences. Gay Pride is a big event in Buenos Aires and the parade in the capital is attended and celebrated by tens of thousands of people every year. By and large, Argentina is very accepting and tolerant of different genders and orientations, however there is still a long way to go.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Look at the Progressive LGBTQ Rights in Argentina

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Argentina is internationally recognized as having one of the most advanced systems of rights for members of the LGBTQ community in the world. The public here have long advocated for minorities, the oppressed and the marginalized. Activism is a cornerstone of Argentine culture, and protests are commonplace in the centre of Buenos Aires around the Congress building and the Casa Rosada (the government house).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Neighborhood Guide to Gay Buenos Aires

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I'm going to take you on a tour of several places, places with names like Recoleta, San Telmo, Palermo, and La Boca. They're all very different in atmosphere and appearance,...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In high school, I wanted to study psychology, which made my dad panic. He didn't know any Chinese psychologists.

Whether I was chatting about my high school debate team, seeing a movie with friends or choosing universities, my parents and grandparents always ask if "there are any Chinese."

I used to scoff. Why did it matter? I'm American, not Chinese.

Being abroad lifted a layer of colorblindness. Now I know that I am Chinese-American, I am Asian and my race matters.

Here at home, I have always had the privilege of a Chinese- and Asian-American community to fall back on. I was born in Flushing, Queens, raised in Jericho, Long Island and now attend Duke. I had never felt like a minority, even as a person of color.

But abroad, I was alone-in the country and in my program.

Argentina is an incredibly white country- 97.2 percent are European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) or mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry). In 2010, Argentina had 120,000 Chinese -summing the number of those born in Argentina and immigrants.

There were no other Asian-Americans in my program's group of fifteen, though there was a girl whose mother is Japanese. She identifies as mixed and can often pass as white, but strangers here have gestured at her eyes and asked, "What are you mixed with?" But I still couldn't identify with her the same way I could with full-blooded Chinese children of immigrants.

Before going, I tried to prepare myself, reaching out online about what my experience as a Chinese-American or Asian might have been like.

Advice for study abroad students on racism or discrimination only addressed the Black experience. I didn't know any other Asian-Americans who had studied abroad in Argentina, or even in South America. When I reached out to an Asian-American alum of my program, she told me she was catcalled "chinita," but understood it as more of an attempt to get her "attention as a young woman, rather than an expression of racial prejudice."

Despite knowing how white Argentina was, I was still surprised at first. I only saw Asians running buffets or supermarkets, unlike the Asian students I see scattered across campus. Argentinians assumed that my friend Piersen, who is Black, was asking for money when she was just asking for directions on the street. Those of you reading who have never felt like a minority will not understand.

So I fled to comfort, to people who would look like me. I was so excited the first time I went to Barrio Chino. My friends and I walked into a restaurant filled with white people, none Asian. The Chinese owner immediately singled me out. No one would ever do that in New York or North Carolina-Asians are not unusual enough.

Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox

Signup for our editorially curated, weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.

" Hablas chino? " Do you speak Chinese?

" 會，" I answered in Chinese. " 這裡。。。好吃嗎？ "

" 還可以，但是不地道。想吃地道，去隔壁！ " he said. I stared at the man, who had just told me to leave his restaurant for a more authentic one next door.

From the point of view of my friends, who didn't speak Chinese, a Chinese man was just yelling at me. Stunned, I translated and led my friends next door, much to the confusion of the non-Chinese staff. The Chinese community there was not even large enough to fully staff itself.

"Qué pasó?" they called after us. What happened?

After scurrying next door to the recommended restaurant, I let everyone order for themselves. While they ordered, I chatted with the Chinese waitress for clarification on some of the dishes written in Chinese on the menu. As an ABC-American-born Chinese-I don't know all of the characters or even the names for the foods of my childhood. To my friends, it looked like I was conversing completely fluently. But a "real" Chinese person would never ask what I was asking.

When the food came out, I realized what a mistake I had made. All my friends individually dug into their plates of lo mein and fried rice while the two vegetable dishes that I had ordered sat alone. It never occurred to me that my friends had never ordered family style before, nor that the typical non-Chinese imagination for Chinese food is limited to lo mein, fried rice and General Tzo's chicken.

That Chinese restaurant may have been the only time that my friends on the program and I were not asked " De dónde sos? " Where are you from?

Others in my program complained about it.

"I'm so tired of being asked where I'm from. Can't they just leave me alone?"

I guess I was doubly tired of it then, because I alone was asked " de dónde sos? " a second time. Where are your parents from? Do you have Japanese ancestry? What's the origin of your last name?

My host mom explained that people in Argentina ask those follow-up questions because I confused them. America does not include my Asian body, so they asked until my appearance was explained. Oh, her parents are from China and Taiwan.

With the double " de dónde sos? ", I am a double foreigner: foreign not just to Argentina, but to the West in general. I think the Chinese restaurant didn't ask where we were from because they were "foreign" too. Only natives feel the need to to "place" Others as foreign or inferior.

Catcalling is another way Othering happens. Last summer in England I got race-related catcalling and last semester was no different.

One Saturday night in Palermo walking to tango, I heard: " Annyeong haseyo!"

I pointedly threw him a glare before continuing to walk. The last time an Argentinian threw an unsolicited " ni hao " my way, I tried to explain-in Spanish-why what he said was problematic. It fell on deaf ears and a dumbfounded face. No longer worth my time, no longer my responsibility, to always explain that catcalling is wrong.

You are watched and your privacy means nothing, is what catcalling says to me. My friend Piersen was literally stared at on the D line here. By the end, she stared back.

-

Sometimes people didn't even have to ask " de dónde sos? " twice to find out my background. Once, an American friend in the program, who is a white woman, introduced me to people she had met at a bar.

"This is my friend Grace, who's also an American student here, but her parents are from China and Taiwan."

No.

And.

I've since talked to that friend. She apologized profusely.

Calling people in is important, even if it's not always my responsibility and even if those other people are also marginalized.

This summer, I am continuing my work with the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), a non-profit in Chapel Hill and Durham that works with people to transition out of poverty and homelessness. Many of our clients, or "Members" in CEF-speak, are Black, including the man last week who said "xie xie" to me after I gave him a bottle of water.

"How did you know I spoke Chinese and not Korean or Japanese?"

"Just a feeling," he said, a little bashfully.

"Well, it can be really uncomfortable when people assume that I speak Chinese."

"I just wanted to say thanks..." he looked a little guilty.

"不客气。"

Later on, when ruminating on the conversation, I thought maybe I should have added, "People assume things of Black men all the time." I don't know if I should have or not. As people of color, he and I both face racism, but anti-Black racism is a whole different animal than the racism Asians face.

-

For an earlier draft of this column, my editor suggested more "connective tissue" between these stories I tell about race and that I deploy the stories to support my overarching thesis: my race matters. But, as you can see, this piece is still pretty disjointed.

These stories on identity don't fit in a clean, linear narrative or well-structured, evidence-based argument. With "race mattering" at the center, my scattered reflections roam. The Chinese diaspora is amazingly developed in America. Non-White bodies are catcalled and stared at. Asians are perpetual foreigners to the West, a West that includes Black people.

I could go on and on. Can you? Does your race matter?

(I promise, even if you're white, that it does.)

Grace Mok is a Trinity senior. Her summer column about studying abroad will run weekly on Thursdays.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In high school, I wanted to study psychology, which made my dad panic. He didn't know any Chinese psychologists. Whether I was chatting about my high school debate team, seeing a movie with friends or choosing universities, my parents and grandparents always ask if "there are any Chinese."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Wander Argentina | Travel in Argentina by People Who Live There

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Buenos Aires' Barrio Chino (that would be Chinatown) may only comprise a few city streets, but is nonetheless difficult to miss. Beginning alongside the train tracks at the intersection of Juramento and Arribeños in Belgrano, arrival at Barrio Chino is signaled by an ornate stone archway.

While Argentina's only Chinatown is minuscule compared to those of London, Sydney or San Francisco, its cultural impact on the city is huge. The neighborhood has over a 100 Asian-owned businesses and receives 15,000 visitors every weekend.

BA's Little Tiger Economy

'Barrio Chino' is a bit of a misnomer as the neighborhood is the home to a cross-section of Asian-owned business. Beginning in the 1980's Taiwanese began to arrive in this area, followed in the 90s by those from Mainland China. Preexisting Korean, Japanese and Laotian immigrants began to congregate around the area as well. At first there was just a smattering of supermarkets. As the Asian immigrant population grew along came restaurants, schools, oriental variety shops, Chinese video clubs and beauty salons.

At the Tzong Kuan temple, one of the few Buddhist temples in the city, one can pay homage to a big shiny Buddha and attend classes in meditation, Chinese calligraphy, Mandarin, Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chaun. Those looking for alternative medical treatments come here to find acupuncturists and Chinese remedies at the neighborhood herbalists.

In 2006 a group of area businessmen tried to get Chinatown officially recognized as its own neighborhood along with the 48 other 'barrios' of Buenos Aires, but the Department of Urban Planning rejected the idea, noting that the denomination does not actually reflect the neighborhood's true population.

While this area is the commercial focal point for the entire Asian community in Buenos Aires, Chinese residents make up less than 1% of the residential population of Belgrano. Most of the city's 120,000 Chinese residents live in lower rent neighborhoods such as , Flores, Barracas and the city suburbs.

Some say, 'Feng Shui? - No Way!'

Officially Barrio Chino is limited by Juramento, Arribeños, Montañeses and Monroe Avenue, but as the neighborhood booms, its boundaries are creeping outward each year.

While Chinatown has become a fashionable place to visit for ever-trendy Porteños and spice-craving foreigners, a small but vocal group of area residents feel threatened by the neighborhood's expansion.

The controversy came to a head in 2009 when the $500,000 archway, shipped in five containers from China, was placed at the entrance way of the neighborhood. The installation was delayed because of complaints that it didn't conform with zoning laws, but the city stepped in to rezone the area shortly before coronation, causing accusations of corruption. In an unusual move, then-Mayor Mauricio Macri received the gift from Zhou Tienong of the Assembly of the People's Republic of China in a ceremony at the Capitol building, cutting the ribbon in front of a drawing of the arch instead of holding the inauguration on site.

The same day the civil association, 'Neighbors of Belgrano' held a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy to denounce what they refer to as the 'Archway of Lies.' Among the group's legal grievances are the felling of neighborhood trees, zoning infractions, the sale of expired food and garbage in the street, but considering that property values have risen in the area, they have widely been painted as xenophobes - or at least resistant to change.

For 27-year-old Vanessa Liao, coordinator at the Chinese-Argentine Cultural Association, the archway validates the growing Asian community in Buenos Aires. "The archway shows that we are really accepted here," she says. "In recent years the Argentines are more accepting of us, they come here for the shopping and the festivals and even to study the language. There is more interest in Chinese culture now than when I was growing up. That's good because people feel more at home here."

Chinatown is celebrated for its great food shopping. Asian restaurants abound, ranging from hole-in-the-wall to high-end. The many stores in the area sell everything from inexpensive oriental merchandise and J-Pop (Japanese pop music), to Anime and manga (adult comics).

Chinese New Year in Buenos Aires' Barrio Chino

Barrio Chino's biggest yearly celebration Chinese New Year is held every February on the closest Sunday to the date of the New Year.

How to Get to Buenos Aires' Chinatown

: 15, 29, 42, 44, 60, 63, 64, 65, 80, 107, 113, 114, 118, 130.
Train: Belgrano C Station, Bartolome Mitre line
: Juramento Station, Line D

Templo Tzong Kuan/ Chinese-Argentine Cultural Association
Montañeses 2175
Tel: 4786-9499

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Chinatown Buenos Aires: Buenos Aires' Little Chinese Tigre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Buenos Aires' Barrio Chino (that would be Chinatown) may only comprise a few city streets, but is nonetheless difficult to miss. Beginning alongside the train tracks at the intersection of Juramento and Arribeños in Belgrano, arrival at Barrio Chino is signaled by an ornate stone archway.

# data[].attributes.headline
Meet Mara Gomez, Argentina’s first transgender professional soccer player

# data[].attributes.subject
Meet Mara Gomez, Argentina’s first transgender professional soccer player

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
One percent of state jobs must be reserved for transgender people, according to a decree published yesterday in the Official Gazette.

"Every transvestite, transsexual or transgender person has the right to decent and productive employment in equal and satisfactory working conditions and protected against unemployment without discrimination for motives of gender identity or its expression," reads the text of the decree, which outlines that government officials must be trained in recognising discriminatory behaviour.

"It is established that, in the national public sector, personnel positions must be occupied by a proportion of not less than one percent of all of them by transvestites, transsexuals and transgender people who meet the conditions of suitability for the position", according to the text.

Apart from suffering discrimination and stigmatisation, members of the trans community has an average life expectancy of 36 years, according to studies.

Studies by the Asociación de Travestis, Transexuales y Transgéneros de Argentina (ATTTA) also reveal that 90 percent of their community is outside the formal job market while almost 95 percent "find themselves in situations of prostitution on the extreme fringes of society." Some 60 percent were unable to finish their schooling.

The measure was presented as a "positive action to begin the reparation of the indignities committed historically."

The decree establishes a voluntary registry for job applicants who must show that they are "suitable." This registry certifying the job skills of the applicants will be placed at the disposal of state agencies to fill their vacancies.

Esteban Paulón, executive director of the LGBT Public Policy Institute NGO, said that "access to registered employment is one of the essential strategies that allows for the full inclusion of transgender women and men and guarantees better living conditions."

Paulón added, however, that the State has "many debts with the trans community," saying that many members of the trans community did not have access to comprehensive healthcare, as outlined in Argeentina's 2012 gender identity law.

Argentina is something of a pioneer for human rights, legislating in favour of sexual diversity with its gay marriage law of 2010 and a gender identity law a year later.

- TIMES/AFP

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Argentina establishes 1% quota for trans workers in civil service jobs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
One percent of state jobs must be reserved for transgender people, according to a decree published yesterday in the Official Gazette. "Every transvestite, transsexual or transgender person has the right to decent and productive employment in equal and satisfactory working conditions and protected against unemployment without discrimination for motives of gender identity or its expression," reads the text of the decree, which outlines that government officials must be trained in recognising discriminatory behaviour.