Random Thoughts

Ok, so I have to get these out. Because to me they're important.

1. Ignorance in los estados unidos

I have found that so many people here can speak not only Spanish, but English and multiple languages. Whyyyyy do most people in the USA only speak English? And instead of people being patient with those immigrants or other travelers who do not speak English, people become annoyed and think, Why can't they speak English. Well, now I am that person who does not speak the language, and I have so much more respect for people who come to the United States not speaking English. It's amazing how such trivial things can be difficult, or at least intimidating in a different country. It helps here that some of those fears can be alleviated because so many people can speak English. But I feel in the States, people who speak English have limited help available to them. I think that schools need to make language classes mandatory. And not just 2 years or however it is now. Mandatory for K-12. Because the world is becoming so much more international, with business thriving on communication with other countries, wouldn't we want to be at an advantage by teaching our upcoming generation other languages? My kids are going to learn a different language. Fluently. Because I feel it's important. Knowing another language opens up sooo many doors.

2. Public Universities

Ok, so UBA, the University of Buenos Aires, is free. How? I'm not sure. But I think that's awesome. Sure, universities offer financial aid in the States, but sometimes it's difficult to get. I feel that money is what stops so many people who have amazing talent from getting an education. Different situations lead people to become unable to spend the money to go to college, so they settle for a job that doesn't require a college education. Sure, if college was free maybe people would take advantage of it and not go because they may think of it as an extension of high school. But for those people who really have a desire to go but life makes that difficult, it would be perfect. Maybe our country would run more smoothly if education was available. Maybe not. But if nothing else, the expansion of the mind in sciences, arts, and the like would be readily available for those wanting to take advantage of it.

3. Living at home. Until 30? Well sure.

Families are oh so important here. I'm not saying that's not true in the States. But the dynamic here is different. For example, my host siblings who still live with their mother are 22, 25, and 26. The one who doesn't live here, who is 33, is here almost everyday. So much so that my host mother gets worried when he doesn't stop by. Or answer her calls. How many days have gone by since you have called your mother? I know that I don't everyday. It's the norm here to live with your mother until you have an education, have a steady job, and are married. And they looooove their mothers dearly. And their mothers love to take care of them. In the States we are expected to move out of the house as soon as we can. And if we don't, we are deemed to be dependent. As if independent is so much better a word. I feel that a lot of problems could be solved if people just knew that they had a support system in their families, and RELIED on each other, and just LOVED each other.

There will probably be more in the coming months. Feel free to disagree with me. But this is what I have found. I'm not necessarily saying that one thing is better than the other. Maybe just more efficient.