Marissa Booth studied Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina for eight weeks at the University of Belgrano. She spent twenty-five hours in class per week. She lived with a host mother approximately ten blocks away from school. Living with a host mother and interacting with locals allowed Marissa to get an understanding of the Argentinian culture. Her host mother was blind and did not know any English, which created a difficult situation from day one as Marissa barely knew any Spanish upon her arrival. Once Marissa learned more Spanish, she and her host mother became very close. Her home-stay alone taught Marissa a lot about communication and life itself.
On the weekends, Marissa tried to use her time to see and experience other parts of Buenos Aires and Argentina. Her main goal in her travels was to learn about the regional cultures in Argentina all while learning about who she was as an individual. She was able to travel to Iguazu Falls, which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Mendoza, and Salta. Closer to Buenos Aires, she was also able to visit Plaza del Mayo, which is where most of the governmental buildings are and where Marissa saw Argentina's President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, at the festival for the Revolución de Mayo; the Museo de Evita, which teaches visitors about one of the First Ladys of Argentina-Eva Peron; the San Telmo Market, one of the big Sunday markets; the Feria de Mattadores, an old fashioned market with rancheros (cowboys); the Obilisque, a famous monument; La Bomba de Tiempo, a very famous improvisation percussion ensemble; the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar, the second oldest church in Buenos Aires; La Recoleta Cemetery, which is all individual family mausoleums side by side; and even Colonia, Uruguay, a very historic town with incredible architecture.