Rooted in Mercy. Connected to the world!
Saludos desde Argentina: A Life-Changing Mercy Exchange Experience
Our Mercy Girls are home from Argentina and they returned with memories, friendships, experiences, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a global Mercy community.
Seven Mount Mercy Academy students and two faculty members traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for an unforgettable Mercy Exchange experience with our fellow Mercy school, Colegio Santa Ethnea. What began as an exciting opportunity to visit another country quickly became so much more: a chance to experience another culture, attend school alongside Argentinian students, serve others, build friendships, explore a new city, and discover the many ways Mercy connects us across the world.
The Mercy Exchange Program was truly life changing.
A Global Mercy Connection
The relationship between Mount Mercy Academy and Colegio Santa Ethnea has continued to grow through the years. Last spring, students from Santa Ethnea traveled to Buffalo and spent a week at Mount Mercy, experiencing life in an American high school and becoming part of our Mercy community. This fall, it was our girls’ turn to travel to Argentina.
From the moment they arrived, our students were welcomed into the Santa Ethnea community. They quickly discovered that while the schools, cultures, languages, and daily routines may be different, the spirit of Mercy is something they share.
This cultural exchange gave our students an opportunity to step outside of what is familiar and experience the world from a new perspective. They learned about diversity, culture, history, education, service, and themselves, all while building relationships with students and families halfway around the world.
Experiencing High School in Argentina
One of the most exciting parts of the exchange was getting to experience what high school is like in Argentina.
Our students spent full school days at Colegio Santa Ethnea, attending classes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with several breaks throughout the day. They immersed themselves in the daily rhythm of an Argentinian high school, attended classes, interacted with Santa Ethnea students, and experienced firsthand the similarities and differences between their school lives. And they loved it!
The girls were so excited to come back and share stories about their days at school. They embraced the experience, jumped into new routines, and enjoyed learning alongside their new friends. It was education beyond the classroom in every sense of the word.
Discovering the History of Santa Ethnea
Our students also had the opportunity to explore the history and grounds of Colegio Santa Ethnea. Their tour began in the Mercy Center, where they learned about the history of the school and the Sisters of Mercy who helped shape the community. They walked throughout the beautiful grounds and learned about women who fought for justice through nonviolence, stories that were both inspiring and deeply connected to the values of a Mercy Education.
The students visited the labyrinth, the cemetery where the Sisters are buried, and the interior of the school, gaining a deeper appreciation for the history and legacy of this special Mercy community. For our girls, it was an opportunity to see that the Mercy story they know so well at Mount Mercy is also being lived out in Argentina.
Mercy in Action: A Day of Service
Service is at the heart of a Mercy Education, and our students had the opportunity to put that commitment into action during their time at Santa Ethnea. As part of their exchange, the Mercy girls participated in a service project working with young students in Buenos Aires. They spent time with children, played, connected, and shared their time and energy with the younger students. Our girls described the experience as incredibly fun and were grateful for the opportunity to meet so many children.
It was another reminder that service creates connections and that even when we speak different languages or come from different places, kindness, compassion, and generosity are universal.
A Day in Buenos Aires
The students also spent a full day exploring the city of Buenos Aires, learning about its culture, history, and traditions.
They toured the city, experienced some of its most interesting sights, enjoyed a delicious lunch, and even had some time for shopping. Along the way, they tried new foods, explored new places, and experienced the energy and culture of one of South America's most vibrant cities. For our students, it was their first time traveling to Argentina, making each new experience an opportunity to learn and grow.
Sharing Meals, Making Memories
Some of the most memorable moments of the trip happened during the simplest parts of the day. The girls enjoyed tea time, painted tote bags, shared empanadas and pizza, played games around the dinner table, and spent time laughing and getting to know their new friends.
One evening, the power went out and instead of letting it interrupt their plans, the group turned it into an adventure. They enjoyed a candlelight dinner and played games together, creating one of those unexpected memories that everyone will remember long after the trip is over.
These moments captured the true spirit of the exchange: friendship, flexibility, curiosity, and enjoying the experience together.
Rooted in Mercy
One of the most meaningful days of the trip was Mercy Day. Our students joined the Santa Ethnea community in walking together through the local community and participating in a variety of activities centered around this year's theme: Rooted in Mercy.
The school day ended early, allowing our students to spend the remainder of the day with their Argentinian host families. For some of our girls, this was especially meaningful because their host family included one of the Santa Ethnea students who had traveled to Buffalo and visited Mount Mercy last spring.
The girls were able to share lunch, dinner, conversation, and time with their host families, giving them an even deeper look into daily life in Argentina. What began as an international exchange between schools became something much more personal: friendships between students, families, and Mercy communities.
A Surprise for Michaela
Mercy Day included one particularly special surprise for Mount Mercy senior Michaela Murphy. Because Michaela was in Argentina with the group, she missed the Senior Pinning Ceremony taking place back home at Mount Mercy on Mercy Day. But her Mercy family in Argentina wasn't going to let the moment pass without celebrating her.
In a surprise that was kept completely secret from Michaela, Sister Brenda and Mrs. Lina Smith organized a special Senior Pinning Ceremony just for her. Michaela was completely surprised and absolutely loved it.
It was a beautiful reminder that no matter where our Mercy girls travel, they remain part of the Mount Mercy family. The pinning ceremony brought a little piece of home to Argentina and made an already special Mercy Day even more meaningful.
A very special thank you to Sister Brenda and Mrs. Smith for creating such a memorable moment for Michaela.
Learning, Growing and Taking a Risk
Throughout the trip, our students did more than explore a new country. They challenged themselves. They navigated a different culture, experienced a different school system, communicated across languages, met new people, tried unfamiliar foods, stepped into new routines, and learned to be comfortable outside of what they already knew.
Mercy teacher Kayla Storto, who accompanied the students on the trip, captured the experience beautifully in a message to parents:
“I’m so proud to be their teacher! They jumped in today and did extremely well as I’m sure they have told you about their day. Please know how wonderful your children are; they have taken a risk coming here and are learning so much about themselves, the world, and Mercy.”
That is the heart of a Mercy Education.
Our students are encouraged to be curious. To be courageous. To serve. To ask questions. To embrace differences. To step outside their comfort zones. And to discover who they are while learning about the world around them.
A Global Education Rooted in Mercy
Experiences like the Argentina Exchange are an incredible part of a Mount Mercy education. Our students didn't simply visit Argentina, they experienced it.
They attended school. They served alongside others. They explored Buenos Aires. They learned history. They experienced another culture. They shared meals. They made friends. They spent time with host families. They reflected on what stretched them and what lifted them.
And throughout it all, they discovered that Mercy has no borders.
We are incredibly grateful to be part of Mercy Education and to the Sisters of Mercy for creating and sustaining a global community where our students can learn from one another and build relationships across cultures.
We are also deeply grateful to the entire Colegio Santa Ethnea community... the faculty, staff, students, families, and Sisters who welcomed our girls with such warmth and generosity. Thank you for opening your school, your homes, and your hearts to our Mercy students.
A tremendous thank you to our faculty chaperones Ms. Kayla Storto, Mrs. Lina Smith, and Mercy Education's Sister Brenda for guiding, supporting, and caring for our students throughout this incredible journey.
And a very special thank you to Mrs. Nicole Calamunci, Mount Mercy teacher and International Student Coordinator, whose hard work and dedication helped bring this exchange opportunity to life. Her commitment to creating meaningful international experiences for our students is helping Mount Mercy build lasting relationships with Mercy schools and communities around the world.
Home Again, Forever Changed
Our Mercy Girls are now home but they brought a little bit of Argentina back with them.
They returned with stories to tell, friendships to cherish, lessons to share, and a new understanding of the world around them.
Most importantly, they returned knowing that the Mercy community is much bigger than Mount Mercy Academy. It extends across countries, cultures, languages, and generations.
This is the power of a Mercy Education.
It is an education that opens doors, expands perspectives, encourages courage, inspires service, and connects our students to something much bigger than themselves.
We couldn't be more proud of our seven Mercy girls who took this incredible leap and embraced every moment of the journey.
¡Gracias, Argentina! Thank you for welcoming our Mercy Girls, for sharing your school and your culture, and for showing us once again that wherever Mercy is found, there is family.
Until next time, Buenos Aires!
Rooted in Mercy. Connected to the world.
Comments