Flying flour, a bath in a turtle pond, cracked eggs, and mayonnaise all over the place. Yep…those are the best words to describe graduation at Universidad Nacional de Tucumán.

The graduation celebration for Josefina and Flor. Two of my closest friends, who I am thankful to have made in Argentina.

For Perspective

In the US, most students at universities take 4-years to complete an undergraduate career and then walk across a stage to receive their diploma…relishing in some of the best years of their lives.

Students at the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán on average take 5-10 years to complete their undergraduate carees. Well that is, if you can even consider it an undergraduate career considering they receive an official title, of Geologist or whatever it may be. Whereas in the US, most students receive, for example, a Bachelor of Science having studied Geology.

Then, after students have taken all of their required courses, they take final exams, usually about two years after completing classes. This allows them to begin a final thesis, similar to what one may do for a Master Degree in the US.

The warm celebration, welcoming students into her/his careers’!

After years of hard work, students want to put in hard work celebrating!

The graduation began at noon, with Josefina and Flor giving their presentations about their Thesis’.

Then, the real fun began! They were taken back to the school where they were thrown into a turtle pond, then their friends cut and ripped their clothes off. Followed by getting eggs thrown at them, flour and mayonnaise poured on them, and family and friends surrounding them with pride and tears of joy. It was an incredibly beautiful moment that I am grateful to have been a part of.

Yet somehow, that was just the beginning!

The entire day was dedicated to celebrating their accomplishments. Family and friends danced from the afternoon until the next morning. Through the 90 degree heat, drinking “Fernet”, laughing with friends, and breathing in the pride in the air.

Captured Instant

The graduation has been one of my favorite captured instances in Argentina thus far and I cannot believe I am welcoming my last month here. I promised y’all an interview blog…and do not worry it is in the making! I want to make sure it is great and really allows readers to see the Argentine perspective! I also have a quick blog coming out about my trip to Uruguay and the must-knows of an Argentina asado (barbecue)!