Molly Lovejoy recruits, trains, and matches mentors with mentees at Railroad Street Youth project. She was exploring ways to deepen connection with Spanish-speaking youth when a new BTCF fund provided the opportunity to study in Argentina. While there, she not only boosted her Spanish proficiency, but discovered a parallel lesson in Argentine culture and friendships: the high value placed on nurturing social ties and belonging.
During Lovejoy’s time in Argentina’s capital city of Buenos Aires, she was welcomed into a rich mix of social traditions. She enjoyed an indigenous tradition of drinking yerba mate tea, where friends gather to discuss their day. She experienced sobremesa at a friend’s house, a Sunday tradition of sharing a meal that emphasizes lingering at the table long after the meal is finished, connecting through conversation and storytelling. And she attended language exchange nights at local pubs, which brought together people from around the world.
This immersion in Buenos Aires culture inspired Lovejoy to bring a similar spirit back home. She saw an opportunity for people to socialize, make friends, and find common ground through a shared language. “There’s such a vibrant mix of cultures in the Berkshires,” she says, “and true understanding happens through language.”
Lovejoy has teamed up with friend Marina Dominguez, founder of Katunemo Art & Healing, to create a monthly series of Spanish-English Exchange nights in Pittsfield. Offered monthly at Hot Plate Brewing, Lovejoy describes it as “a bit like speed-dating" for language immersion. People at one table speak in either English or Spanish for a timed period, then half the participants rotate to another table. The series kicked off last month. “It was so much fun; it was a huge success,” she says. She sees potential for exchange nights in additional languages, including Portuguese.
Lovejoy is grateful for the Robbins Fund, and the impact it has had on her life. “International travel is not always accessible to people due to cost – especially those working in the nonprofit sector.”
Lovejoy is now integrating her language and cultural learning into her youth-serving work at Railroad Street Youth Project, while pursuing a master's degree in social work. She’s also looking forward to the next language exchange on February 20, open to all levels, ages 14 and up.
A Legacy of Connection and International Awareness
Irving Robbins, founder of the fund that supported Molly's trip, sadly passed away in February of 2026. Irving deeply valued connection, and knowledge of life beyond our national borders. He taught social studies in Northwest Connecticut for 29 years, always impressing upon his students the importance of international awareness. During sabbaticals, he traveled to Poland to teach English. His wife, Cindy, was a social worker. He established The Irving and Cindy Robbins International Studies Fund in 2025 to ensure a legacy of cross-cultural understanding for the community. His vision and generosity will support the value of international study for generations to come.
Acknowledgments: Research for this article included collaboration with Berkshire Taconic Community staff member Eric Jette, Community Engagement Officer for Scholarships and Education. We are grateful to Molly Lovejoy for sharing her story.
