ASA Alumni Interviews: Layla Delbono - Buenos Aires

Meet Layla Delbono, and ASA alumna who studied abroad in Buenos Aires in 2013. Layla is from San Diego, California. As a Mexican American, she had always imagined becoming fluent in Spanish in order to converse with her grandparents. So when it came time to choose a study abroad program, an immersive Spanish-speaking experience was a no-brainer, and spending time in Argentina with ASA felt like a perfect fit.

Below, Layla shares her thoughts on living with a local host, her favorite food from Buenos Aires that she still eats when watching Argentina play soccer, and the story of one very special relationship that developed from her time abroad.

ASA: Share three quick fun facts about yourself!LAYLA DELBONO:
1.) I enjoy Rock Climbing, both indoors and outdoors.
2.) I am a certified teacher, and I enjoy teaching English as a second language.
3.) I am a new mom to a beautiful baby boy.

ASA: You studied abroad with ASA in Buenos Aires in 2013. Why did you choose Buenos Aires?
LD: ASA does a wonderful job cultivating a study abroad experience in which you do not have to be fluent in Spanish in order to comfortably travel through a Spanish-speaking country. Their program also allows for beginner-level Spanish speakers to take classes in a university setting.

ASA: Was there anything that surprised you about Argentina that would be useful for incoming study-abroad students to know?
LD: I was surprised by the amount of locals I met who were happy to take the time to have coffee with a friend on any given day, on any given afternoon. The reason is that in a fast-paced city, you would think that there would not be time to slow down and chat over coffee or tea. That is totally false! Merienda, or “tea time”, is by far my favorite part of Argentine culture.

ASA: Tell us about your accommodation in Buenos Aires. What did this experience teach you about the culture that you may not have learned otherwise?
LD: ASA planned my living accommodations in which I lived with a local Argentino who was extremely helpful, outgoing , and friendly. He was amazing at giving advice about where to go to have fun in Buenos Aires. Although I had my own living quarters, I was able to have community by choosing an apartment-type living situation. We had one fellow roommate, a girl my age, who was also from the program. She was fluent in Spanish and helped me gain the confidence to explore our neighborhood.

ASA: How did the academics in Buenos Aires compare to what you were used to back home?
LD: Argentina is known for having wonderful public education. Although I studied at a private university, I often heard about all of the opportunities that there were for residents of Buenos Aires. I was definitely challenged academically and  I always felt that my professors had high expectations for me.

ASA: What was your experience with language while abroad? Did you know much Spanish before you traveled? Do you have any language tips for incoming students? 
LD: I did not know much Spanish before I traveled to Argentina. I would recommend spending a few hours per day on Duolingo, or something similar to make sure you can ask for directions along the way. Other than that, I am sure you will learn Spanish very quickly thanks to the immersive ASA experience.

ASA: Did you meet anyone while studying abroad that impacted your life in some way?
LD: Believe it or not, I met my husband while studying abroad! He is from Buenos Aires and I can confidently say that it was love at first sight. We have been together for over 10 years now, and it blows my mind how much we have in common even though we are from opposite sides of the equator!

ASA: Did you travel much beyond BA in South America? If so, where did you go?
LD: I was able to visit Patagonia, Iguazú Falls, Mar del Plata, and Uruguay. A couple of my trips were through the program and a couple of my trips were planned independently. I found the trips through ASA the most enlightening because they planned excursions such as attending lunch at an authentic Argentinian BBQ, also known as an asado.

ASA: What was your favorite meal in Argentina? Have you ever recreated it at home?
LD: By far, the empanadas are the best food you are going to eat in Argentina! I have never tried to re-create them in the United States, but I have found a couple of places that are able to make very authentic meat empanadas in my hometown. To this day, I order empanadas to eat while cheering on Messi, River Plate, and/or the official Argentina soccer team.

ASA: Paint us a picture of your life now, 11 years after studying abroad. What role did study abroad play in your personal and or professional development over the past decade?
LD: Upon my return to the United States, I finished my bachelor’s degree and added a TEFL certification to teach English as a foreign language abroad. After that, I returned to BsAs to teach English as a second language at a local elementary school. Overall, I spent a total of four years in Argentina (with my husband) until we made the move to San Diego to start our family. I am forever grateful to ASA for helping me get to South America totally on my own. BUT the reality is, you are not on your own when you are with ASA! There are so many friends that you are bound to make both inside and outside of your program. Go enjoy! :)

Thanks Layla!