Marco Grant/THE REVIEW
Puerto Madero at dawn. Grant rowed exclusively on this course during the summer.
BY
MANAGING SPORTS EDITOR
Marco Grant, a senior and a member of the university’s crew team, spent time in Argentina this summer working with local businesses. During his time there, Grant gained experiences that reformed the way he thinks about the university, the United States and social interactions.
JR: Why did you go to Argentina this summer?
MG: Well I went there to learn about the culture and the situation with the economy down there because I had only heard and read about the negative state of the country. There’s a huge difference between reading about it and seeing it first hand. It gives you a huge change in perspective seeing what Argentina is like in comparison to America.
JR: Did you row while you spent time in Argentina?
MG: Yes I rowed in Puerto Madero, which is a 2,000-meter course, which used to be used as a port for the English trade ships that was later expanded because of the increasing size of ships. They made it into a tourist attraction, which is actually very pleasant to be in now.
JR: What kind of work did you do in Argentina?
MG: I worked in a meatpacking factory. My job was to understand and relate to the employees who were arguably from one of the lowest classes in the world. For these people, every day they show up to work is a blessing. These people have tragedies that are unthinkable to us, happen to them daily—their house burns down, their motorcycle is stolen and a whole assortment of other things. It’s not like having a 911 service like we do here.
JR: So, no 911 service?
MG: There is a system, but it’s exclusively for the poorer people in the villas outside of Buenos Aires. It’s very segregated. It’s much easier to call your family because they most likely reach you before the authorities.
JR: You’ve shown me videos of protests in Argentina from the time you spent there. Why don’t you tell me about the political unrest in Argentina?
MG: You can only say so much about the government in Argentina. There’s no freedom of speech or anything of that nature. The things that the government does to their people is way outside of the norm. I would hope in the future I can do something to change that situation. The government was robbing a lot of money and keeping it for themselves and distributing it incorrectly, which was crippling the economy. When I was there, there were weeks of protests.
JR: What do you think Delaware students should know or hope to know about your time spent in Argentina?
MG: I think that every Delaware student should take full advantage of the situation that you’re in. Make the best of your classes because there’s a lot of people who want to be in your shoes. Talking to everyone in Argentina, they only dream of being in America.
JR: What are your plans to stay involved with Argentina after graduation?
MG: The United States has just opened trade with Argentina after a lawsuit between the two countries, which Argentina has won. Currently, America is waiting to see who’s elected in Argentina in January to decide about trading. My plan is to manage the exportation of beef from Argentina to the United States. I also hope to set up a foundation to support the restructurings of some of the villas there. Hopefully my trade opens up jobs and opportunities for Argentines.
