Already Reminiscing
As my time in Argentina and with the CPM quickly comes to an end, I’ve been thinking about how much I’ve learned this summer. When I first arrived, I knew very little about the previous dictatorship, the magnitude of its effects, and how it continues to affect the lives of so many today. Although it’s been over forty years since it ended, everyday life is littered with aspects of that time. The murals, the graffiti, the plazas, the street names, the politics—many things live to act as reminders of what happened and warn against the possibility of something similar happening in the future. The research and trial I’ve worked on these past nine weeks also show how deep the impacts run. From prison conditions to how the legal system functions, I have learned that countless people work diligently to help improve living conditions of incarcerated people, help reunite families torn apart by disappearances, and preserve history and records to ensure that future generations will be able to access information that may one day stop history from repeating itself. Working through the legal system here has really shown me some different methods to practicing law and has opened my eyes to things I have never encountered.
As my departure looms ever nearer, I find myself spending a disgusting amount of time with my friends. Many of my argentinian friends are traveling because it’s winter break at the university, and many others have left because their study abroad semester has ended, But those that are left? We spend every waking and sleeping hour together. My last two weeks have been and will continue to be one massive sleepover. I am ever so tempted to cancel my return flight and stay here, but alas, classes start in three weeks, and I will be there. We spent the weekend in Buenos Aires, going to cafes, museums, restaurants, parks, and wandering around. I really love living my life in Argentina. The wonderful people, the incredible food, the mix of work and play. It feels like home, even though it’s a place I have only lived in for two months.
Besides work, I’ve been brainstorming Law Review topics, which has proved more difficult than I initially anticipated. It seems that I have so many ideas, yet so few are truly feasible. Though I am extremely excited to begin journal, I will be excited come July 31 at 11:59 when I finally submit my three preliminary ideas.
