Jessica Dodakian, '14

Argentina/Uruguay Study Tour Reflection

     Overall, I think that our experience on this study tour was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that allowed me to learn about the military dictatorships in Argentina and Uruguay on a deeper level than if we had just studied the history in the classroom. By physically being in the country, I felt like I could see how the Argentinean culture is still feeling the effects of the past. For example, when we went to La Plaza de Mayo and watched Las Madres march, we saw that there were two different focuses in the marches; while one group was holding pictures of those who disappeared, another group was marching on behalf of more current issues, such as abortions and the upcoming election. The differences between the two groups illustrated that while there is still a focus on what occurred in the past, there is also a drive towards the future. Our study trip left me with the general message that was mirrored in a statement made by a representative of the Museo de la Memoria in Uruguay when he said: "La historia todavía está abierta." Translated as "history is still open" in English, this phrase captured the general message I took away from the study tour: that the history of Argentina is not a forgotten and closed book. Rather, their dark past is still alive and will continue to influence their society. Also, the impact of their history can be seen in the connection between Argentina's rich cinema and the country's past, present and future.

Sign outside ESMA (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Reprinted by permission of Daiana Rua © 2012 Daiana Rua