73 Hola from HULA Ice Cold Baby | Sophomores Angelica Curi and Faith Cox stop for a photo while walking on a glacier walk of the Perito Moreno glacier. The walls of the glacier are 230 feet high and it goes 400 feet below the water. Students were able to walk with the aid of crampons on their shoes and helmets for safety. Photo courtesy of Angelica Curi Students of the Harding University Latin America (HULA) trip brace the cold and glaciers in Argentina. Hola FROM HULA For many students at Harding, studying abroad was an unforgettable. They experienced new cultures in foreign places. Harding offered six different semester abroad opportunities, along with several other shorter trips. Harding University Latin America (HULA) was one of these programs. Sophomore Angelica Curi was on the 2024 spring semester trip, and had her own reasons for choosing this specific study-abroad program. “My dad is actually from Peru, so many of the adventures HULA does, I have known about my whole life,” Curi said. “I wanted it to be a way for me to connect with a part of who I am and how my heritage plays into it.” Other students, like sophomore Olivia Berry, looked forward to seeing the beauty of the Latin American countries. Berry felt that it would open doors to new experiences. “I knew that I would get to experience some of the most beautiful and unique places in the world,” Berry said. “From the channels that Charles Darwin once sailed, to one of the highest mountains in the world outside of the Himalayas, to the Subarctic forests of Ushuaia, HULA has everything you could hope for.” For some, like sophomore Landon Wyatt, HULA seemed like the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of college life. Wyatt took time away to completely immerse himself into the HULA experience. “I wanted a semester where I wasn’t as focused on completing an ever-growing list of assignments, and instead could try to focus on myself in other ways,” Wyatt said. No matter the reason for participating in HULA, the trip was constantly packed with adventures. Berry reflected on the opportunity to climb Mount Fitz Roy. “I got the opportunity to summit Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia and while it was likely the hardest hike I’ve ever done, the climb was so rewarding,” Berry said. “Every step closer to the top of the 15-mile hike just became more and more beautiful.” Curi and Wyatt also experienced the Beagle Channel. They both shared their memories from this specific trip. “The sheer beauty and tranquility of the landscape [at Beagle Channel] left a huge impact on me,” Wyatt said. “We got to see a wide variety of wildlife, from penguins to sea lions.” For many, the highlight of the HULA trip was Patagonia. Its beautiful views drew students to the trip and continued to be a repeated favorite. “My experience in Patagonia was breathtaking,” Wyatt said. “The rugged beauty of the landscape, with its towering mountains, pristine glaciers, and crystal-clear lakes, was awe-inspiring. We were able to hike through Torres del Paine National Park and explore the Perito Moreno Glacier.” Even with the beauty, hiking part of Patagonia came with its rewards and challenges. A part of the experience allowed students to hike in the National Park. Curi expressed the mental difficulties of the hike, but said that it was one of the best experiences of her trip. “We started the hike around 8 a.m. not fully knowing the mental battle we would endure,” Curi said. “It was a beautiful, scenic hike at the beginning, but after several miles, it began to get harder. The wind became stronger to the point of almost blowing me over a few times, and the hike turned steep and rocky. All your mind is focused on is each step you are taking. When we got to the top, it was all worth it.” After all the amazing challenges and experiences done by the students, they enjoyed the Latin American culture the most. One aspect of HULA that stood out to all three students was the people and the cultural experiences they have had. Berry explained that it was a blessing to meet the people of Latin America. “HULA does a wonderful job of immersing you in the culture that goes beyond museums and history,” Berry said. Getting to experience these people and cultures left a lasting impression on all three students. Many of the students on the trip had either majors or minors in Spanish, which allowed them to practice the language while abroad. The immersive trip allowed them to learn outside the classroom, and to truly be a part of the culture. Harding University Latin America was a transformative experience for everyone who received the opportunity to go. Students who went were deeply immersed in cultures foreign to them. It gave students access to breathtaking adventures and gave them opportunities to grow as young adults. Written by William Fry
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