Bruins Abroad – Chloe Tarkany in Argentina

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — This summer, several Belmont student-athletes spent some time abroad participating in Belmont’s Study Abroad Program.

Throughout the summer, Belmont Athletics will highlight the experiences of our student-athletes as they encounter and interact with new landscapes, cultures and peoples.

Our next reflection is over Chloe Tarkany, a rising junior women’s golfer from Scottsdale, Arizona. During Maymester, Chloe went to Argentina with other Belmont students.



Where did you study abroad this summer?
Mendoza, Argentina. I chose to attend the Argentina Maymester because I was excited about the opportunity to connect with Argentinian students. I was curious about how cultural differences would impact the way businesses are run in a foreign country. The Mendoza Maymester gave me the opportunity to hear from different businesses about how they are run in terms of culture and the economic climate. The connection with foreign students and access to talks from business owners is an opportunity I knew I could not create on my own, outside of Belmont’s Maymester program.

What subjects did you take?
International Economics Course, Third Year Writing and Junior Cornerstone Religion

What was your favorite memory?
My favorite memory was when the Argentinian students invited the Belmont students for a picnic. We traveled about an hour outside of town to a beautiful lake in the mountains. We spent the day there with our Argentinian friends. We kicked soccer balls, played uno, laughed, and filled our mouths with empanadas and pastries. A Belmont student brought his guitar and played some Chris Stapelton for the whole group. The water was so blue. It looked like a scene from a movie.



Is there a specific place you would like to visit again? If so, where and why?
I spent the entire two weeks in Mendoza. I would go back and visit, as the students from Belmont became good friends with the students from Cuyo University (where we did the exchange program). I would love to go back and visit, to see and catch up with all my Argentinian friends!

This was my first time studying abroad. The trip exceeded my expectations. It was clear that the entrepreneurs who lectured us were not usually giving tours, but doing business. They were excited about a young group of people (a mix of Belmont and Cuyo students) who were interested in what they were doing. I was able to learn about business, culture, and make important friends in just a few weeks.

What surprised you most about the culture and the environment?
The culture is very family oriented and friendly. They greet everyone with a kiss on the cheek. The culture is very personal and less go-go-go compared to the US. The concept of a to-go coffee is foreign to them. You sit in a coffee shop and enjoy your drink; you don’t settle down and keep making your way to us!

Something unexpected that I learned is that the majority of Argentinians do not keep their savings in the bank. Argentinians do not trust banks because in the past the government made the banks convert citizens’ savings accounts into another currency at a bad exchange rate. The government also had the banks control citizens’ access to their savings during the last economic crisis. That said, most Argentinians keep their money in USD or in non-perishables at home.

How was the food? What was your favorite meal?
The food was delicious and fresh. My favorite meal was when we went to an Armenian restaurant. The table was covered with small plates and side dishes. Then they brought out seven different dishes, such as lamblolipops, beef meatballs, and rice-stuffed grape leaves. Argentina is known for its meat and Italian influences, so while I was there, the whole group enjoyed lots of steak and gelato.



What did you miss most about home (US) after being abroad for a while?
The things I missed most about the US were my family and the golf course. I didn’t play golf the two weeks I was in Argentina, so I couldn’t wait to get back to the links when I got home.