This past May, a faculty-led study abroad program took Troy University students to Argentina, Uruguay and for the first time, Brazil. The program was led by Dr. Kelly Suero, Associate Professor of Spanish and Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Dr. Suero’s connection to the Southern Cone began as a Rotary International Youth Exchange Student in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Over the years, she has returned to the region many times to live, study, conduct research and to build lasting personal and professional connections. Today, she shares that passion and experience with TROY students through immersive international learning opportunities.
“In these various locations, students learned about culture, history, language, nature, and the people who call these places home,” said Suero. “They had the opportunity to practice their Spanish in authentic settings, engage with communities different from their own, and experience firsthand how language and culture are inseparable. More importantly, they gained a broader perspective on the world and a deeper appreciation for the value of international experiences.”
Along with Dr. Suero were twelve students and Professor Chris Stagl from Art & Design, whose students partnered with World Languages and Cultures students throughout the experience.
“About half of the students on the trip came from World Languages and Cultures and the other half came from Art & Design,” said Stagl. “It was an awesome experience to be in these countries myself, but even more so to see our students learning and growing through experiences that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom.”
“I literally graduated from TROY a week before we left,” said alumnus Elijah Brooks, a Spanish minor from Luverne. “I could not have been happier with our experience. It was incredible to be able to use Spanish every day and see places and cultures that we had spent so much time learning about in class. The trip pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way possible and gave me a lot more confidence in my language abilities.”
During the 13-day trip, students explored Buenos Aires, Argentina’s vibrant capital city, where they toured the world-renowned Teatro Colón, visited the historic Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore and experienced the music and traditions of tango. Students also traveled to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. The group then continued to the tri-border region of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, where they experienced Iguazú Falls, one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World, hiked through subtropical rainforest, visited Parque das Aves (Bird Park), one of the largest bird conservation centers in Latin America and explored the Itaipú Ecological Reserve in Brazil.
“Study abroad offers students the opportunity to connect what they learn in the classroom with the people, places, and cultures they encounter abroad,” Suero said. “For many students, it is their first time traveling internationally, and watching them gain confidence, independence, and a broader understanding of the world is one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.”
