>Click to enlarge photo  Abilene Christian University exchange students pose for a photo op February 2, 2006 with professors Rhonda Collier, standing second from the left, Caroll Mills, seated third from the left, and assistant Public Affairs officer Thomas Hamm from the U.S. Embassy Montevideo, right front row.   >Click to enlarge photo  >Click to enlarge photo  Exchange students from Northfield Mount Hermon School listen to U.S. Chargé D'Affaires James Nealon during a country briefing at the U.S. Embassy Montevideo, January 31, 2006.   >Click to enlarge photo  A/Public Affairs Officer Thomas Hamm addresses a group of exchange students from the University of North Florida, Texas A&M, and Abilene Christian University. The students visited the U.S. Embassy Montevideo for a country briefing June 7, 2006.

Uruguay is a wonderful venue for student exchanges. It offers a unique culture and a very positive environment in which to have exposure to the Spanish language and local customs. Uruguayans are friendly, highly educated and very welcoming. Their strong family values are an inspiration to many visiting students who have the opportunity to live with a host family or just go out and make friends. Uruguay's main attraction is its beaches, however the charm of old colonial towns, its beautiful countryside, and the wide variety of cultural events it has to offer, all add up to a valuable and unforgettable experience.

In order to enrich the students' experience of Uruguay, the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo offers student groups a briefing on the country's customs, as well as its political structure and economy.

Following is a description of the recent experiences of a group of exchange students from Northfield Mount Hermon School written by their faculty coordinator, Ted DesMaisons:

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Bringing a group of 12 students to Uruguay for seven weeks this past winter (summer in Uruguay) was a life-changing experience for them, and for me. We felt incredibly welcomed by our host families, each of whom showered us with love, patience and openness. I and my students have felt much closer to our own families since returning home as a result. Those relationships also gave us new eyes for seeing the incredible privilege --and subsequent responsibility-- of our and our nation's wealth. Most people in Uruguay don't have much, but they have each other. We could learn a lot from their simplicity.

The land itself offered spectacular vistas and opportunity for reflection and we could cover much of the country with our weekend trips alone. Colonia del Sacramento, Piriápolis, Punta del Este, Cabo Polonio and Rocha each delivered wonderful memories. Getting around Montevideo proved cheap and easy as well, whether by taxi or by omnibus. With simple precautions, I never felt unsafe, either for myself or for our students.

I'm delighted that we came during January and February too. Not only did we escape the gray and chill of our New England weather, we arrived to the literal and figurative warmth of Carnaval season. Candombes in our local neighborhoods, Las Llamadas downtown, and the Teatro de Verano every night (whether live or on television) -- the whole place seemed to pulse with color and music the whole time we were there. What a gift to the world that celebration is: not the most spectacular or most elaborate, but also not overwrought or pretentious. Real people making real culture.

Lastly, we were lucky to have our visit at the embassy. The students all gave thanks for the warm reception and for the added insight to their experience in Uruguay. In fact, they all agreed that no traveling U.S. group should go without such a visit --the political, economic, and historical backgrounds all significantly buttressed their understanding.

We were lucky to have such a well-rounded itinerary and to have such delightful hosts. I wish such a journey for any student travelers. If you can live with host families, do so. If you cannot, get out to meet the people of Uruguay. They, and the land they call home, will change your life.

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For more information about international student exchanges see Studying Abroad. Additional information on Uruguay is available in our About Uruguay section.

 
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