JUST back from the land of the pampas is Elizabeth Seward. She lives in Letchworth GC and works as a space satellite engineer at EADS Astrium in Stevenage. But along with a team of young professionals she has spent four weeks in Argentina. Elizabeth, who

JUST back from the land of the pampas is Elizabeth Seward.

She lives in Letchworth GC and works as a space satellite engineer at EADS Astrium in Stevenage.

But along with a team of young professionals she has spent four weeks in Argentina.

Elizabeth, who was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Letchworth Garden City, kept busy touring the area to the south of the capital, Buenos Aires, and discovered much about the country's culture, institutions and business practices in seven towns.

She especially appreciated the chance to spend time with Argentinian families and experience their lifestyle first hand rather than as a typical tourist.

Although Argentina has little in the way of a space industry, Elizabeth was able to visit a satellite ground station where she saw data being used that her company had produced, several universities and schools.

At the University of Tandil she was invited to a remote-sensing conference next year in Mar Del Plata.

Six months ago Elizabeth and her team colleagues had little knowledge of Spanish but, thanks to a lot of hard work studying, they were able to give numerous presentations about their exchange in the language.

In each of the towns the team visited they were greeted by the "intendente" or mayor, and were interviewed by the local press, radio and television.

When asked about the Falklands War - the Malvinas - they emphasised the importance of their visit which was establishing international understanding and friendships on an individual level, quite apart from any political problems which have happened in the past.

The Argentine people still grieve for their fallen, with memorials in every town, but everyone agreed that people must work towards peaceful cooperation between nations.

At EADS Astrium, Elizabeth is the site coordinator for the company's Science and Engineering Ambassador Programme, which aims to encourage school pupils to take up a career in science or engineering by inspiring them through workshops.