Daughter off to Buenos Aires this morning

jhynesrockmtn · 01-26-2011, 05:59 AM

Lot's of tears at the airport this morning. 21 yo junior in college going to study abroad in Argentina for the rest of the school year. I'm very proud of her. She's been saving for this trip for years while paying her own incidentals, food, etc. as a college student. Good grades, volunteers weekly with kids at a school, works 20 hours a week. Sociology major with a spanish minor off to get immersed in latin culture and language. Thanks for letting me brag a bit.

Her with my son at his HS graduation.

bivenator · 01-26-2011, 06:01 AM

You should brag, you have much to be proud of. It was tough to say goodbye to my kid after the xmas break and she is only 3 hrs away. I'm sure another continent is a whole different ballgame.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I spent my college junior year in Germany and it was a blast. Though I can't say it did much for me academically. We even had a beer vending machine in our dorm. DM .30 for a can of decent beer. I didn't even have to get grades or do the work, since their grades didn't translate into our system. I just had to prove I was registered for classes and then, when I got home, my GPA from the previous year carried over and they gave me 30 more credits. What a deal. I worked for Bayer in Germany the summer before and during some of the vacations and made a lot of money, hitchiked through Poland and Ukraine and basically turned 21 a year early by being there right after my 20th b-day. I still keep in touch with several of my friends from that year.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Awesome experience - she'll value it for a lifetime and it will no doubt open doors. You should be thrilled to have such a good/smart daughter who is looking out for her future!

Joeaksa · 01-26-2011, 06:39 AM

She will never be the same and hopefully it all will be positive. It changed me when I did it.

stomachmonkey · 01-26-2011, 06:40 AM

Brag away. I would.

Looks like you done good.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Best steaks in the world down there. Buenos Aires is a fantastic city.

Eric 951 · 01-26-2011, 08:26 AM

She will love it. great culture--more European. Great steaks, great bird hunting in the country areas.

Jim Bremner · 01-26-2011, 09:57 AM

I REALLY WANT TO GO THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and good for your Daughter!

Seahawk · 01-26-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Brag away. I would.

Looks like you done good.

+ A bunch.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Congrats! You should be proud!

Superman · 01-26-2011, 02:20 PM

How far is Buenos Aires from Rio? I hear they have a celebration there in February.

Yup, it looks like you have full justification for any bragging you care to do. Congratulations.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Tell her to have a great time. Also tell her to be careful. I have a good friend who's Argentinian (and several more work associates who are also Argentinian). It's become a much more dangerous place these past several years, according to them.

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

You should be proud of her. Everyone else should be proud of you. I dont care what anyone says, NO WAY I could handle my kids doing that. My son is a junior in high school and i'm already losing my mind picking out colleges that are 2-3 hours away..

drcoastline · 01-26-2011, 06:12 PM

jhynesrockmntn,

Boy, I hope thats not your last name or shes in trouble.

Any way, congratulations to you and good luck to your daughter. I wish her the best and to you be proud. It is quite obvious you are.

Hugh R · 01-26-2011, 06:29 PM

Good for her. Tell her to be very, very careful. Not the safest of cities, or so I've been told. Good looking kids.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I was also an exchange student in high school and that family kicked me out two weeks before I was to return home. Best thing that ever happened and we're still great friends. I'll probably be going to that class's 20th reunion in June.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Nothing better than getting far away from the family at that age. It is very good if the kids are driven to do it. Don't be too sad and rather be proud! Unfortunately I know a log of guys with kids they never are able to launch. Still loafing around their house in their late 20s and up living off the parents.

G

Sarc · 01-27-2011, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noah930

Tell her to have a great time. Also tell her to be careful. I have a good friend who's Argentinian (and several more work associates who are also Argentinian). It's become a much more dangerous place these past several years, according to them.

My father is Argentine and , as with every big city, BA has its good parts and bad. As there's quite a diverse population, your daughter should blend in well....especially if she's a fashionista.

jhynesrockmtn · 01-27-2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

especially if she's a fashionista.

She qualifies there (see photo below from a modeling job she did 2 years ago) although much of her wardrobe is from goodwill. She is a thrifty kid. Has saved $10,000 working since she was 16 mostly as a barista and paying for her own food, incidentals, clothes, etc. Sorry, bragging again.

She is there! 22 hours later, Seattle to LA, LA to Santiago and Santiago to Buenos Aires. She's living in an 8 room boarding house. She is tired but had a nice smile on her face. This skype thing is amazing. I had a very high quality video chat with her. I'm relieved the travel part is over and her room actually exists. She found the place on Craigslist from Seattle and did the whole thing herself. School starts on Monday.