Hospitality in my New Home

Hospitality: the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

I thought I’d define the word for my fellow Americans because in the USA, we don’t practice anything like this. And like I have similarly experienced with my Spanish, ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’. The Trump’s America has made me realize that the United States is a place filled with selfish, closed-off, and narrow-minded people who are threatened by the idea of an imposing force that may cause a recalibration in culture.

In Argentina, on the other hand, hospitality is not only a practice, but a way of life. From the traditions of mates (a caffeine-rich tea called yerba that is served and passed around in a calabas gourd called a mate and sipped from a metal straw called a bombilla) to the gatherings of asados (similar to an American BBQ), Argentina embraces the definition of warm receptions, kindness, geniality, and amiable entertainment.

Within my first week, I experienced multiple interactions in which I was offered recommendations, invitations, and extensive generosity.

One that I found exceptionally valuable was the "tutores" program at UNL, the university at which I am studying. "Tutores" (translation: tutors or guardians) are provided to all of the international students. I received two wonderful tutores, named Gisela and Germán, both who are advanced level chemical engineering students. These tutores are not only available for assistance in my classes, but also, they contacted me before my arrival to Santa Fe regarding my housing, travels, classes, dietary restrictions, and general interests. They made sure that everything was arranged so that I could have a smooth integration experience with the city and the school. Once I arrived, we scheduled a time to meet. We talked about life in America in comparison to Argentina, our educational careers, travel, the economy, politics, food, relationships, dogs, anything and everything. They were so open and genuinely wanted to become my friend. We message each other every day and they are available whenever and wherever I need them. They make me feel comfortable, confident, and cared for, even in an unfamiliar place far, far away from home.

All of the international students and their tutores at the Bienvenida (welcome) event.

Few additional examples that put a smile on my face:

~I went to a shop to get my photos taken for my visa and the couple that assisted me offered me free prints if I were to bring in pictures of my friends and family in an effort to lessen my homesickness. They mentioned that they would always be available if I had any questions about the city or needed help with navigating myself.

~I had contacted a man about renting his apartment a month back. Although I chose to rent from someone else, I had asked him if he would be willing to meet sometime for coffee to talk about Argentina, Salsa, and his career. He is a 40 year old from Brazil and is woking in Santa Fe at a diagnostic imaging clinic, participates in dancing competitions, and rock climbs in his free time. Since meetings, he has sent me links of exciting things to do in Santa Fe and the country and follows up with me regarding the activities we discuss.

~It is custom to greet all of your friends (and even acquittances or people you have only meet once) with a kiss on the cheek and a one-armed hug (this is something which, admittedly and embarrassingly, took me too long to pick up on and implement in my interactions).