Christos M. – Industrial Engineering
One of the biggest challenges I faced while studying in Montevideo was navigating daily
errands with limited Spanish fluency. Buying groceries, asking for directions, or simply
ordering food felt daunting at first. I remember early on standing in a supermarket, unsure
of whether the item I picked up was shampoo or conditioner it was labeled in Spanish, and
I had no idea what it was at the time.
What helped me overcome this was leaning into discomfort and making mistakes without
shame. I started using google translate app more effectively, learning keywords ahead of
time, and writing down phrases. Locals were also surprisingly patient and appreciative
when I tried speaking Spanish, even if it was broken. That encouragement gave me the
confidence to keep practicing. Over time, I learned how to read labels, ask for what I
needed, and even joke a little in Spanish, learn the basics to get around the city. This is very
different then when you go to Europe and try to speak their language like in France or
Germany where they will start speaking English to you when you speak broken or don’t
make sense.
Another challenge was figuring out the bus system. Unlike Pittsburgh, where we rely on
digital apps with real time GPS, Montevideo’s buses require using google maps or
downloading the Moovit app to track down the buses. You also have to hold your arm out to
flag down the bus if you want it to stop, if not it will keep going. I once got on the wrong bus
and ended up near the outskirts of the city, but that turned into an important lesson and
turned into a walking tour and a valuable lesson.
Adjusting to the meal schedule was another curveball. Uruguayans typically eat lunch later
(around 1-2:30pm) and dinner even later, sometimes around 9 or 10 p.m. (that’s when most
people go out to restaurants around then). It took a little bit of time to adapt my routine,
especially on days when classes ended early and I had hours to wait until dinner. But since
my family is from Greece, they also have a similar type of meal schedule where they eat
later in the day lunch and dinner at night late. So, it was easy for me to adjust to that
schedule.
To students going abroad: don’t be afraid of being uncomfortable. Embrace the learning
curve. Make a habit of reflecting on what worked and what didn’t each day. The growth lies
in those little moments of overcoming. Even small wins like asking for directions
successfully or navigating your first solo trip feel rewarding, you only live once so don’t be
afraid to try new things or spend things on new experiences.
Swanson School of Engineering 