Why must I actually study during study abroad?

I’m really sad that I have to return to the US in two months. Really. Yeah, I miss my family and all, but after spending eight months and a week in this country, I’m finally getting the hang of things. I don’t feel as foreign, and I know Buenos Aires far better than my own hometown. Plus, my Spanish has improved drastically. Despite having studied it for six years, I came here without being able to hold a decent conversation and understanding what people say, but now I can pretty much talk about everything from President Bush to the dog crap on the sidewalks. I still have an accent, but whatever. People either think I’m Brazilian because of my intonation (”¿Sos brasileiro, no?“–”You’re Brazilian, right?”), or they just have no clue because my accent is pretty neutral since it shows few signs of my English-speaking background. Oh, how much I loathe the American accent. So many Americans that come down here speak Spanish as if it was English. It makes me cringe. And now, I’m developing actual friendships with Argentines and not just Americans. Obviously, meeting locals is the key to truly learning the language and culture of another people.

I guess there’s nothing else I can do but make the most of my last few weeks here.