When Josie Kalbfleisch (BA in International Relations '27) set out for Montevideo, Uruguay, this summer through the University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC), she was looking for more than just a study abroad experience. Drawn by the opportunity to strengthen her Spanish skills and immerse herself in a region she had never explored before, Kalbfleisch spent a month living with a host family, taking classes at ORT University, and experiencing daily life in one of South America's most distinctive countries.

For Kalbfleisch, whose academic focus at Pardee includes Latin America and Environment and Development, studying in Uruguay offered a chance to connect her classroom learning with lived experience. While she had previously spent time abroad in London and the South Pacific, this was her first experience navigating both a language and cultural barrier.

"I did not want to be an international relations major who barely knew the first thing about communicating in a different way," she reflected. "Instead of just translating and speaking in Spanish, I was remembering, imagining, and analyzing as well," she said, describing how the experience evolved and reshaped the way she thinks and learns. 

One of the highlights of her semester was Intercultural Negotiations, a course taught entirely in Spanish that explored identity, belonging, and how diverse societies learn to live together. Although she initially expected the course to focus primarily on conflict resolution, she discovered a more sociological approach that broadened her academic perspective. A memorable lesson came through Uruguayan musician Jorge Drexler's TED Talk on music, identity, and interconnectedness. The talk's message, that people are "not totally from somewhere, and a little bit from everywhere," resonated deeply with Kalbfleisch and reinforced her understanding of shared human experiences across cultures.

Her second course, Social Dimensions of Health and Culture in Latin America, introduced her to environmental and public health issues affecting the region. Through presentations on water scarcity and Uruguay's freshwater challenges, she gained new insight into the relationship between climate change, development, and public well-being. "Both of these topics were quite new to me," she explained, noting that the coursework expanded her understanding of environmental issues in a part of the world she had not previously studied closely.

Outside the classroom, Kalbfleisch found some of her most meaningful learning experiences in everyday life. Living with her host mother, Azul, exploring Montevideo's neighborhoods, and adapting to later dinner hours helped her better understand local customs. She especially enjoyed spending time along La Rambla, the city's scenic coastal avenue, and immersing herself in Uruguay's passion for soccer during the Club World Cup. One observation in particular stayed with her: “We [Uruguayans] don’t like to lose. But winning is also not that good because it means someone else loses and that not everyone is equal," one local told her, sharing the high regard for equality felt by Uruguayans. "It was explained to me that this way of thinking is very traditionally Uruguayan," she recalled.

Looking back, Kalbfleisch says the experience challenged her to embrace uncertainty and curiosity. Her advice to other Pardee students considering study abroad is simple: choose a place you know little about and be willing to put yourself out there. "It's by far the best way to learn," she said. Whether through language practice, new friendships, or unexpected cultural discoveries, her month in Uruguay offered exactly what she hoped for: a deeper understanding of the world and her place within it.