Suzanne – Sports Internship in Argentina

Suzanne, a 21-year-old student from Amstelveen, studies International Sport, Management & Business. As part of her programme, she’s required to complete three internships — one of which, in her second year, spans ten weeks. For this first major internship, Suzanne travelled to Argentina with United Through Sport. Although the COVID-19 pandemic cut her stay short, the seven weeks she spent in Buenos Aires were nothing short of life-changing.

Why Argentina?

Suzanne’s love for Latin America had deep roots. After taking Spanish in school, she took a gap year to travel through six countries in the region, falling in love with the culture, people, and diversity. Choosing to return for her internship was an easy decision. Argentina, a country she initially knew little about, surprised and exceeded her expectations in every way.

Warm Welcomes and Hostel Life

Suzanne quickly felt at home, the atmosphere was warm, the people were open, and the staff made a lasting impression. Fellow volunteers and students connected easily, and there was always someone up for an adventure. Whether it was a night out in the city, a homemade dinner party, game night, or watching a film together, there was never a dull moment.

“I had to adjust to the Argentine work culture, but that was really the only thing. I felt at home right away.”

A Stage Full of Purpose and Passion

United Through Sport (UTS) gave Suzanne the chance to be deeply involved in meaningful work. She wasn’t just assigned tasks, she was encouraged to take initiative and run with her own ideas. Her role extended far beyond supporting the projects; she dove into fundraising, sponsorships, managing social media, improving internal structures, and even acting as a point of contact and for new volunteers.

She participated in all five of UTS’s main projects: sports, childcare, healthcare, construction, and teaching. Experiencing these initiatives gave her insight into both the vibrant energy and the stark inequalities present in Buenos Aires. Visiting underserved neighbourhoods was confronting, but also deeply moving.

“Despite the poverty, people were full of life. Happy, grateful, and welcoming. Being able to contribute, even a little, to something so meaningful gave me a sense of purpose I won’t forget.”

Life in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires captivated Suzanne with its cultural richness and scale. “I completely underestimated how massive this city is,” she shared. “Even after a year, I think I’d still be discovering new places.”

From watching tango shows and attending football matches to exploring diverse neighbourhoods like Palermo and San Telmo, she fully embraced the city’s rhythm. Even as a vegetarian in a famously meat-loving country, she found Buenos Aires to be modern and inclusive, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants.

Weekend Adventures (and What Could Have Been)

Weekends were filled with travel and exploration. Suzanne visited cities like Mendoza and Tigre, and even managed to squeeze in a trip to Santiago, Chile. She had also hoped to visit the breathtaking Iguazu Falls and Uruguay, but the outbreak of the pandemic unfortunately made that impossible.

Still, the experiences she did have were unforgettable and her time in Argentina left her with a deep appreciation for the culture, resilience, and warmth of its people.

Honest Reflections & Future Plans

Suzanne looks back on her internship as one of the best experiences of her life. She felt supported both by the local UTS team and by her contact in the Netherlands at De Kracht van Sport, who helped her prepare with clear information and in-person guidance before departure.

“I’ve done, seen, and learned so much during my time in Buenos Aires. Honestly, a blog isn’t enough to capture it all — I could write a book.”

Her advice to future interns?

“Stay as long as you can — at least two months! Buenos Aires is huge, Argentina is vast, and you won’t truly experience it in less time. Embrace every moment, because it goes by in a flash.”