F&M Stories
Off-Campus Study: Ariana Solodar-Wincele '16
I spent my junior year, fall 2014-spring 2015, studying abroad in Mendoza, Argentina. Spending the whole year abroad was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It gave me the opportunity to fully integrate myself into the small city and make lots of local friends, and I still had time to travel to other South American countries and throughout Argentina.
I was a full-time student at the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, where I took all of my classes in Spanish, and was often one of the only international students in the class. While this was not always easy, it was very rewarding. I proved to myself, my professors, and my classmates that even though I was a yanqui (from the US), I could do group work, class discussions, and oral exams just like they could. I also participated in a variety of activities, such as aerial silks, outdoors clubs, and African dance classes.
Mendoza is much more laid back than the USA. In most of my classes, including aerial silks and dance, we drank mate, a loose-leaf tea that you drink through a straw, and share with everyone, including professors. I was shocked the first time I saw one of my classmates bring the mate up to the professor while he was lecturing, but I soon became accustomed to it, and continue to drink mate here on campus.
When I was abroad, I was the version of myself that I want to be all the time. I was confident, because I knew that was the only way people would treat me as something other than a stupid yanqui. I was never stressed out, because Mendocinians simply aren't ever stressed. And I was doing what I loved, speaking Spanish, spending time with friends, learning new things, travelling and simply being happy.
I've tried to incorporate that lifestyle into my life back here in the states. When it's hard, I remember how many great experiences I had over my time studying abroad. While it does take being in South America to hike in Patagonia and go to Machu Picchu, many of my favorite memories are special simply because I was living life from a different perspective. Sometimes it just takes looking at life in a new way to appreciate it.
OCS Profile
Ariana Solodar-Wincele '16
IFSA-Butler Mendoza Universities
Mendoza, Argentina
Terms Abroad: Fall 2014-Spring 2015
Bonchek College House
Majors: Anthropology and Spanish
Minor: Dance
Campus Affiliations: F&M Dance Company, Phi Sigma Phi National Honor Fraternity, African
Dance Troupe
Related Articles
July 10, 2025
F&M to FBI: How Kristopher Martinez ’24 Embraced an Unexpected Opportunity
For Kristopher Martinez ’24, F&M wasn’t just a place to study business and government — here, he could live it, question it, and grow through it. Martinez said this immersive experience not only fostered skills in critical thinking, communication, and leadership, but instilled the confidence he needed to embrace unexpected opportunities — such as landing a role as a contract specialist with the FBI. “F&M gave me skills that have been essential in the start of my career,” he said. “I credit F&M for challenging me and allowing me to see untapped opportunities.”
July 8, 2025
How F&M Students Spend Summer Break
F&M’s signature blue Adirondack chairs are never empty for long. Meet several students spending their summer break on campus, as well as outside of Lancaster.
July 3, 2025
Young Alumni Share Law School Journeys
Robert Suite ’17 and Matthew Thomas ’19 first met at F&M. Their post-graduate paths led them both to Drexel School of Law. Follow their story of friendship and mentorship.