Category Archives: travel

Mente’s Inside Information for an Amazing Semester Abroad!

March 07, 2012   MenteArgentina   No comments
obelisco

So you’ve just signed up for a Semester abroad in Buenos Aires. Now what? Here at Mente we are experts on study abroad and we are going to share our knowledge on the must-knows, must-dos and must-sees of studying abroad in Argentina.

First off, the must-knows about going abroad. Before you leave it is important to do some research on basic things such as the climate, history, and little cultural anecdotes which will make your transition that much easier upon arrival. One such anecdote here in Buenos Aires is the use of vos and the pronunciation of ‘ll’ and ‘y’. I’m not going to lie, I studied Spanish for years before setting foot in Argentina, and I did not understand anything when I got here. What the is maawshow? (Mayo, for those you who also aren’t familiar with el castellano porteño).
In terms of Argentine history, it is interesting and extensive with periods of greatness followed by long periods of pure devastation. Argentines tend to be very strong individuals who have lived through difficult times but still maintain a positive outlook. They are some of the most generous people in the world and are always willing to help their neighbor. The difficult times here have definitely bred a strong sense of community, which is evident throughout the country.
Finally, the climate. This is super important because here in Argentina we are in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning the seasons are the exact opposite of those in the US and Europe. We have a relatively mild winter from June to September, an absolutely beautiful spring in October, November and December. Then in January and February it is HOT. Hot and humid, which is precisely the reason most porteños ditch the city and head to the beach! This scorching summer is followed by a pleasant fall with varied temperatures and scattered thunderstorms. Knowing what months (or maybe you will be staying the whole year) you will be here is vital to your packing. A friend of mine who studied abroad TWICE during undergrad said, “study abroad is all about what to pack”. It might seem trivial, but you will undoubtedly be a couple of weeks into your trip and wish you had brought that shirt, those shoes, even that jar of peanut butter that you thought would take up too much space in your suitcase. Trust me, they don’t know how to do peanut butter here. Also, you will most likely be on a budget which won’t allow for purchasing overpriced goods here in Buenos Aires, so just pack it if you even for one second think you will want it.

Must-dos. Buenos Aires is FULL of must-dos, so I’m just going to lay out some basics but I recommend doing some research and making a local friend! The very first thing you must do is learn the buses. This is going to make your life so much easier for the next 6 months. Mente provides you with a Guia-T and we recommend that you take it with your everywhere. In addition to your Guia-T learn check out Mapa2, it is a fabulous website which tells you exactly how to get from point A to point B. In your first few weeks I recommend hopping on a bus and seeing it’s route, then going home another way. Once you have been on the buses a couple of times you will be a natural and it will save you tons of money on taxi fare!
The nightlife in Buenos Aires is quite possibly the most important must-do. Especially if you are coming from the States where bars close up at 2am, you will probably be a little overwhelmed at the beginning. Here porteños don’t even get to the clubs until around 3am (which is why it’s pretty easy to get on a list for free entrance before 2:30!!). One club that cannot be missed is Club 69 at Niceto Vega on Thursday nights. This place puts on a wild drag show complete with the costumes and over-the-top dancers who even leave stage and dance among the crowds. Plan on leaving the club and being blinded by the sun coming up over Buenos Aires.
Another must-do in the city is the parks. Buenos Aires has tons of great parks to spend your Sundays afternoons in, including Bosques de Palermo (which is huge and has lots of great trails and ‘lakes’), the Reserva Ecólogica right along the coast, and several smaller parks scattered throughout the city. Each one is unique, but you always find Argentineans sipping mate passing the day away chatting with friends. On really nice days there are even bands who set up and rock all afternoon.
Finally, you must try the culinary delights of Argentina. Everyone knows that meat is king here, and it is for a very good reason. You have to try parrilla and go to an asado (with locals preferably) during your stay! One well-known restaurant parrilla, Siga La Vaca, has all you can eat parrilla, dessert and wine for about $100 pesos. Go! Really, go. Porteños also know how to do ice cream which is the perfect treat during the sweltering summers in the city. Check out Mente’s previous blog on the yummy helado in Buenos Aires.

Must-see Buenos Aires is kind of general, because everything is a must-see. Just walking through Palermo is a must-see. The Recoleta cemetery is a must-MUST-see; luckily Mente Argentina has a great tour to take you through this fascinating burial ground. Of course you have to go to a Tango show where you will feel like you have been taken back several decades to a simpler time when passion and movement ruled this city. And if you want to practice your own tango skills, sign up for Mente’s Tango program!
There are several monuments, buildings and sites that are worth seeing in Buenos Aires including La Casa Rosada, La Boca and the Women’s Bridge in Puerto Madero. Besides all of these great spots, you should also go to a Boca Juniors soccer match. It isn’t just a soccer game, it’s an experience. From buying the tickets, getting to La Bombanera (the stadium), to all of the chanting and dancing of the dedicated fans. It is an experience not to be missed during your stay.
Outside of the city limits you will find several other great areas to check out. Taking the Tren de la Costa from Olivos to Tigre is amazing, it goes right along the costa and you get a spectacular view of the city. You can hop off and on the train as you wish, so definitely make a stop in Barrancas to check out the antiques and super hip bars in the area. Just a couple of blocks away you can go right to the coast and try out kitesurfing. The next stop, San Isidro, is also worth a look. It has a great little plaza with an incredible cathedral. All-in-all it’s great way to spend a day outside of the city.

So there you have it. Some advice on the things to keep in mind while preparing for travel and while you are here in beautiful Buenos Aires.

Read More

Mente and Spanglish: The Perfect Activity to Practice your Spanish

January 25, 2012   MenteArgentina   No comments
0001p0

 

A great way to practice your Spanish while studying abroad or volunteering here in Buenos Aires is to go to Spanglish!! Spanglish was designed for foreigners to practice their Spanish skills while giving porteños the opportunity to practice English. Not only is it a language exchange, but it’s also a cultural exchange. You can learn about Argentine culture from an Argentine, and also share your cultural anecdotes.
Here at Mente Argentina we believe that cultural immersion is the most important part of your trip abroad and participating in activities that facilitate this immersion will only make your experience here that much more meaningful, which is why we have added Spanglish night to our monthly activities.
How it works: people arrive and there is a 45 minute check in. This gives you the opportunity to chat with everyone and maybe grab a drink at the bar. You are given a table number and when it’s time to begin everyone goes to their first assigned table. Here you chat with your partner for five minutes in English then switch for five more minutes in Spanish. During this time pizza or other snacks are passed around for munching. Then it’s time to switch!
Spanglish events are always held in super hip bars in some of the coolest barrios in Buenos Aires. Last week we went to Klan Bar in Recoleta, right across from the cemetery. This is a well known area for upscale bars and restaurants with a fun vibe. Afterwards people usually go to another bar with their new friends!
At Spanglish I started with a girl who is studying to become an English teacher. She was about 20 years old and just so sweet! She has been studying for about two years and when I asked how long the program is, she told me that it takes about 10 years!! 10 YEARS! Wow, I couldn’t believe it. What a commitment! It didn’t seem to faze her though. As an American, I feel like we are all so eager to finish our studies as quickly as possible, hopefully having a degree by 22 or 23. But, in Argentina it doesn’t always work that way. They have other obstacles to endure, but they still hold their education as the highest of their priorities. This young woman was extremely dedicated and by going to Spanglish she is able to have one-on-one interaction with native English speakers. This is surely one of the few opportunities that she has to speak with natives, so it has become a vital part of her ‘studies’. By going to Spanglish you are not only improving your Spanish, but also helping the locals with their careers, which in turn may help them improve their social and economic status. All in all, it’s a win-win.
One suggestion that I would make is to bring some topics for discussion. Telling five to ten different people the exact same things about yourself will get dull really quick. Think of some interesting questions and conversation starters before heading over. Some ideas could include: dating culture in Argentina, food, best restaurants, best boliches (off the tourist radar), ideas for traveling in Argentina, ask about favorite vacations or an interesting fact about the person. We all know that people love to talk about themselves, so think of something you would like to know about the porteño sitting in front of you (no matter how random) and ask. They can be a great resource for some insight into the city and the Argentine lifestyle.
Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself into the bilingual community in Buenos Aires!  Whether you’re studying abroad or doing one of Mente’s many internships you will benefit from a night with Spanglish!

Read More

TEFL-ing in Buenos Aires, Everything You Need to Know

December 12, 2011   MenteArgentina   No comments
map


So you are thinking about going abroad, but you haven’t figured out the best way to support yourself while adventuring the world. Getting certified in TEFL will open doors to visit, live and experience countries all over the world. You will earn a livable wage and be immersed into cultures in a way that you never could have imagined. If you love travel and adventure, getting your TEFL will allow you visit just about every continent and is an excellent investment in your travelling future.

The first thing you should know is what all this acronym business is about:

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language

ESL: English as a Second Language

EFL: English as a Foreign Language

TESOL: Teaching English to the Speakers of Other Languages

So, basically you can see that they all pretty much mean the same thing. TEFL is the most common acronym for teaching English abroad.

With a TEFL certificate you will be able to teach in numerous countries around the world, including Thailand, Korea, South America, and Spain. The requirements vary from country to country, but in general you will be considered a good candidate if you possess a TEFL certificate, are a university graduate, are a native English speaker (duh!) and either have lived abroad or have a desire to experience another culture. Some countries have a fairly relaxed system for foreigners entering and working, however others may strictly enforce work visa vs. tourist visa regulations.

Some countries, especially in Asia, will sponsor your visa, pay for your plane ticket, give you housing upon arrival AND pay you a decent living wage. Japan was once the hot spot for teaching English, however now the market is flooded. Korea, however, still actively seeks hundreds, if not thousands, of new teachers every year.

Here in Argentina you can enter on a tourist visa good for three months (this is for citizens of most countries, check http://www.argentina.gov.ar/argentina/portal/paginas.dhtml?pagina=1245 for detailed info on your country) which can be renewed either by going to Uruguay or any neighboring country, or at immigrations. Unless you work for a big, possibly corporate, language institute, you probably won’t be able to get sponsored by your employer for a work visa. There are some English institutes that do sponsor visas, however, you may have to pay for the visa (about $600) and they tend to pay about half the amount that most institutes pay (which is half the amount that you would make if you worked for yourself). Although you aren’t going to get rich teaching English in Argentina, unless you are incredibly innovative and driven, and planning to stay awhile, you will find that you make plenty of plata to support yourself.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (Answers specific to Argentina)

 

Where can I do the TEFL?
Buenos Aires! It is possible to do the TEFL in several locations, in your home country, abroad, even online; however, doing your TEFL in Buenos Aires is certainly the best option if you plan on teaching in BA. During your course you will have a chance to get to know the city, begin inquiring about jobs and make connections. With Mente you can choose to live in a shared apartment where you are sure to meet people  your own age also living in Buenos Aires or private accomodation.

Do I need to speak Spanish?
In your classes it is not necessary to speak Spanish, however knowing the basics will come in handy from time to time. On the other hand, being able to communicate in Spanish outside the classroom will make for a much more enriching cultural experience in Buenos Aires. You will be able to meet more people, have more involved conversations and simply manage the city a little better. So why not sign up for one of Mente Argentina’s intensive Spanish immersion courses to bruch up on that Spanish you learned waaay back in high school?
There is a surprising number of English speakers in the city, whether it’s their first language or not, you will almost always be able to find someone to talk to or get help from if you don’t speak very much Spanish. That being said, you are going to another country and it can be viewed as ignorant if you expect to only speak English. Plus speaking another language is fun!

How long?

As long as you want! Most schools ask for a 6 month commitment, but the reality is that if they don’t provide a work visa for you, you are not obligated legally. However, being the honest and ethic person that you are, you will give at least one month’s notice of leave to your potential employer.

How old?
You must be at least 18 years old.

What if English is NOT my native language?
It will depend on the circumstances. If it is not your native language, but you have lived extensively in an English speaking country and have a fairly neutral accent you may be able to find work. Because English isn’t your native language, you may be required to have additional qualifications, for example a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in English or Teaching English as a Second Language. Check with individual institutes for their specific requirements.

Can I bring my partner/children?
A partner, yes. Children, probably not. If you have a partner who is also a native English speaker, s/he will probably be able to find work as well. However, the salary here is not going to be enough to support children. I know plenty of couples who come down to work and it will actually make your cost of living cheaper, i.e. sharing accommodation and food, but I would not recommend trying to raise children here on teacher wages.

Can I find a job before I leave?
It’s possible, however most companies don’t hire unless you are actually physically here for an interview. Check out craigslist to get an idea of what employers are looking for. You can always email them to get a little more information and send in your resume, but honestly you probably won’t find work until you arrive. But don’t worry, once you’re here you will have more work than you can handle! Especially if you go through Mente Argentina’s TEFL program because the school will assist you in finding local work with a good salary.

When do jobs start?
Argentina is in the Southern Hemisphere which means that their school year starts in March. Even people who are not in school or University will still follow this schedule, and so most institutes don’t hire between December and March either. The best time to start looking for a job is the end of February or beginning of March, then again in June and July when the second semester begins.

Climate?
Buenos Aires is beautiful in the spring (late September to early December) and the fall (late March to early June) and has relatively mild winters with temperatures never falling below freezing and average rainfall. The summers, on the other hand, are insoportable. In other words, unbearable. Hot and humid days followed by hot and humid sleepless nights. During the month of January the whole city seems to empty as most porteños take their vacations and head to the beach! Although it might be a tough time weatherwise, it actually might be the perfect time to do Mente Argentina’s month-long TEFL certification course because then in February when everyone is coming back from vacation and getting back into their routines you will be certified and ready to teach! Not to mention you will have public transportation down and be able to navigate yourself around the city as the people start flooding back in.

Work visa?
In Argentina you probably won’t get a work visa from the company that you work for. So keep your tourist visa current by visiting Uruguay, Brazil, Chile or wherever your heart desires and you will be good to stay in Argentina.

Working conditions?
Working conditions will vary depending on several factors. Most likely you will not be working set hours all at the same company (although some people do) so working conditions can be anything from a comfortable classroom in Palermo to a coffee shop or even at the individual’s office. The hours can be super sporadic as well, so flexibility is key. Here in Buenos Aires you might start out with a couple of classes a week averaging around 10 hours, then you will pick up other hours and after about 2 months likely have more work than you care to take on. Little by little your schedule will come together, then fall apart the next week. While there isn’t a lot of stability, there is almost always enough money.

How much will I make?
On average institutes pay their teachers between 30 and 40 pesos per hour. That is about $8-10 USD which is a livable wage here, providing you are working enough hours. In the beginning it will probably be difficult to have a schedule busy enough to support yourself, but after a couple of months you will likely be making enough to support yourself and enjoy your free time.  The wages earned teaching English, although they may be low by your standards, are actually quite good for a young adult in Argentina because the cost of living is less than the US or Europe. Don’t get me wrong, this city is not cheap, but if you can budget your money (i.e. not eating out every meal, only going out on weekends, doing free activities like going to the park) you will surly make ends meet.

Housing?
During your first month here with Mente’s TEFL program you can elect to stay in a shared apartment, a homestay or a dorm. After that craigslist will be your best friend while you are looking for a more permanent housing situation. There are plenty of shared apartments in the city and depending on the neighborhood you can expect to pay between $300-600USD for a room in a shared apartment. There are several real estate offices where you can find private studios or one bedroom furnished apartments in the city, but expect to pay a minimum of $800USD per month. And unless you’ve landed an AMAZING teaching job, your salary will unlikely support rent this expensive.

Health insurance?
Argentina has socialized healthcare, so going to the hospital in an emergency or for anything really is possible. However, going to a public hospital means an insane wait followed by less than state of the art facilities. Many people, Argentineans included, opt to pay for health insurance outside of the public realm. Private healthcare is excellent, doctors even do house calls! Plan on spending about $100 a month.

Transportation and Travel?
Transportation within the city is incredibly affordable. A ride on the subway will cost you $1.10 peso (about 25 cents) and even leaving the city to the surrounding suburbs is also very cheap. Taxi’s don’t cost too much either, with an average price of about $25 pesos or $6USD obviously depending on how far you are going. However, traveling extended distances like to Iguazu or Mendoza will cost quite a bit (check out plataforma10.com to get an idea). A bus to Iguazu is about $100USD each way.

Who will my students be?
Classes vary and depending on what type of class you prefer to give you will probably be able find what you are looking for. It seems that everyone wants to learn English in Buenos Aires, children, professionals, students, stay at home moms, just about any demographic you can think of will probably have a demand. You might give group classes at a business or private lessons to the guy who owns a local arts and crafts shop down the street. It’s nice because there is always work and it is always a little different.

What if I hate it?
You won’t! Well, I guess I can’t speak for everyone, but this is going to be the experience of a lifetime and if you have an open mind and some motivation you are sure to enjoy your time here! That being said, in the unlikely event that you don’t like the work or can’t find your niche here in Buenos Aires, you aren’t obligated to stay. You may want to try out another city or country while you are here in South America and you will be able to take your TEFL with you! All in all, you don’t have anything to lose!

 

Teaching abroad is the best way to experience a country. You will make great friends, find day to day life to be challenging, but always very exciting and get to see the culture through the lives and experiences of your students.

So if your New Year’s Resolution has anything to do with travel, culture or language, you better sign up for the TEFL now! Spending a year abroad will be one of the most exciting and memorable years of your life, so don’t wait any longer!

Read More

Tours in Buenos Aires: Learning the ins and outs of the city

September 03, 2011   MenteArgentina   No comments
IMG_1414

Studying abroad in Buenos Aires is a cultural experience in itself; however, in order to get even more out of your stay here in BsAs, Mente Argentina has collaborated with some local tour guides to provide our Mente amigos with even more opportunity to immerse themselves into the fascinating porteño culture. While your Lonely Planet gives great ideas for places to go, you probably won’t find a section on the ghost of Recoleta, Rufina, or the underground tunnels used by the Jesuits to escape to Rio de la Plata. These walking tours are an excellent way to get to know the city, not just the streets and neighborhoods but also the culture and history embedded into every corner of it.

Having already visited some of the sites in Buenos Aires on my own, I know from personal experience the value of taking a guided tour. It was my third time to the Recoleta cemetery, and it started out exactly the same as every other time I had ventured to the creepy cemetery located right in the heart of stylish Recoleta. We walked through the massive entrance and were greeted by the same haunting cats that roam the cemetery day in and day out. This time though the vaults had a story. The family names encrusted on the granite monuments suddenly had more meaning. Mente Argentina’s wonderful guide gave us an idea of the types of families who bury their deceased in such classy quarters. Ironically most of the vaults are neighboring their enemy’s vault. Can you imagine being buried for eternity next to your arch nemesis?
Evita. Oh Evita. The Duarte vault is a typical, stark black granite giving it a distinct ‘modern’ look, compared to the surrounding tombs that mirror the architecture found around the city. It’s hidden in the maze of narrow, empty paths and you probably wouldn’t even know you arrived (especially if you didn’t know that Duarte is Eva Peron’s maiden name) if it wasn’t for the crowd of tourists squeezing around it trying to get a quick photo. Ask your guide about the many locations that Evita’s body was taken to in Argentina, don’t ask her about Madonna’s inaccurate portrayal of the beloved icon.
Next check out Rufina, the ghost of Recoleta. Her tomb is exceptionally beautiful with a statue of a young woman greeting her visitors. Without a guide you may stop and admire the lovely statue, but with a guide you get the full story. Our guide told us the spine-chilling story of Rufina’s death. It is especially eerie when told by an Argentinean in a calm and casual accented English.
Another great tour in Buenos Aires to take while studying abroad or volunteering is La Boca. Boca has been made famous because of the COLOR! It is just a couple of blocks, but it is completely packed with visual stimuli, which is makes this area great for photography. It is an incredibly touristy area, but worth the $1.20 peso bus ride from San Telmo. Speaking of San Telmo, this lovely barrio is also a part of the Boca tour. San Telmo is one of the most unique neighborhoods in Buenos Aires with it’s antique charm and bohemian culture. Walking down the cobblestone streets or enjoying a coffee while watching an impromptu tango couple in Plaza Dorrego will make you appreciate the simple life that was once abundant in the area.

These tours are especially helpful to do during your first week or two in Buenos Aires , because you will be exposed to several different barrios, bus routes and lifestyles within this immense city.  So before you head off to the first week of your internship or Spanish classes be sure and sign up for one (or all!!) of the terrific tours Mente Argentina offers!

Read More

Photography in Buenos Aires

July 21, 2011   MenteArgentina   No comments
graffiti

Buenos Aires is truly urban in all sense of the term. An international capital with a variety of cultural capital seeping out of in every nook and cranny of the city, making this city the it destination for the artistic community. Photographers and photography students looking to dabble in photo courses flood here because of the notably distinct mix of culture found in Buenos Aires: a beautiful balance of European and Latin American culture, activists and art, conservatives and liberals, which turns the city streets into every photographer’s playground.

Street art: Buenos Aires is known to be the political graffiti capital of the world. It is impossible to walk down any street and see walls, sidewalks, dumpsters, even street signs unmarked, left colorless. But the graffiti culture here is respected as something much more than marking territory – it is also viewed as a thriving street art scene, making every saunter down the road much like a free gallery tour. It began in the 1950s mostly as a form of political expression particularly during a moment of political censorship, but at this time a more aesthetic form of graffiti began to come about. During the dictatorship, street art virtually disappeared but came back gradually in the 90s, and particularly in the year 2001 directly after the financial crises, the streets were suddenly bursting with art of all sorts. The importance of documenting this ephemeral impermanent art has been getting increasingly more attention, and the photography opportunities are endless! You’ll get to hear the full story of the street art movement on the buenos aire graffiti tour, one of  our free cultural activities for study abroad buenos aires students.

Protests: Protests, marches, demonstrations, are a common day occurrence in the city. For a student or intern in Buenos Aires interested in politics or civic action, Buenos Aires is a goldmine of public demonstrations and expression. But these protests are an incredible opportunity to document some of the more charged emotions, anger, excitement, passion, dedication. The protests make for an automatic storyline, and give photographers a chance to record the more pressing issues porteños and argentines face every day while capturing a huge section of their culture. Photographers find this public political culture the best opportunity for the budding photography student!

 

Architecture: The historic city of Buenos Aires still wears much of its history on it’s most outer layer. The architecture noticed in the buildings is a constant mix of old and new, redone or renovated, Italian, French, portugues, Latin American, decorative, functional, and everything in between. The older buildings that catch the photographers eye come from the cities beginnings and early population growth dating back often to the 1880s and early 1900s. During this time, Buenos Aires was one of the richest, most popular, fasting growing cities in the world. It still sports the original architectural design and immigration history. To see some of the iconic areas, photographers like to stroll down the streets of San Telmo or Av. Alvear, through sections of la Boca and historic preservation districts like parts of Caballito. Check out this article and video to find out more about the history. But because of this urban mix and historical overcoat the Buenos Aires wears, it catches the photography students mind and eye.

Fashion: Unlike a lot of urban centers, Buenos Aires residents and visitors alike parade through the streets in a bold pool of color, shape, and design. Down with the grey flannel suit they yell, enough with the black peacoat! All of us study abroad-ers here have had the experience at one point or another, after a long enough stay. We walk into a store, pick up an article of clothing that would never catch ones attention back home, or only would to make a joke about it, and take it to the counter to ring it up. I remember the first time vividly, looking at the store clerk and asking him what he thought, and he simply smiled and told me in soft Spanish what would loosely translate as, “honey, this is Buenos Aires, anything flies.”  Buenos Aires fashion is noticeable and shows a huge part of the city that photographers can’t ignore: the people. They sport their outfits with pride, and being such a dynamic city brings out an equally if not more dynamic look. Check out some staples that you’ll notice in street fashion from BsAs!


 

 

Read More

Mente on Malbec: un blog de-vino

July 18, 2011   MenteArgentina   No comments
miami-wine-tasting

Budding wine connoisseurs of all (legal) ages start from the jumping off point of that well known adage, drink and be merry. Argentina has increasingly been getting more attention for its wine production, both in quantity and quality over the past years. This is why tourists, wine lovers, and the wine interested have started flocking to its thriving Capital, to take wine and sommelier courses in Buenos Aires. Unfortunately, some of us have yet to get the chance to learn all about the world of wines, and so until we can enroll in a class of our own, we will have to start with the basics and work our way up:

According to Wine for Dummies, an admittedly guilty position i have taken, Argentina is the largest producer of wines in South America and 5th largest in the world. And what comes out of the country is even more impressive. Like the immigration history of the Argentine population, most of the grape-producing vines have come over from Italy and taken and impressive strong root in the wine-making country of Argentina. Provinces such as Mendoza, Salta, and Jujuy are the pride of argentine wines and have attracted many visits by travelers and study abroad students in Argentina! Both the wine culture and the landscape there is beautiful and calming: Being near the mountains but still in a desert area keeps the vineyards warm by day and cool by night, and the ground is dry by nearby rivers from the Andes allow for easy irrigation.

Compared to its neighboring competitor Chile, what really sets Argentine wines apart is its main grape: Malbec. The Malbec grape was originally only used for blending with Merlots and Tannat to make them darker and more full bodied; it is now a celebrated varietal wine (meaning a wine made only from one grape) in Argentina. It has particularly adapted to the Mendoza region and winemakers are toying with getting the same quality. Another great argentine wine is their Cabernet Sauvignon, but many wine professionals agree that sheer production of the argentine Malbec, and it’s rareness as a quality variety has defined argentine wines.

A little info on the Malbec: The Malbec grape is only successfully produced in Argentina and Cahors, a small wine region in southwest france. Originally from Bordeaux, many theories trace its origin, one (popular but unconfirmed) says that a Hungarian peasant by the name Malbec spread the variety throughout France, others trace it back to northern Burgundy under the original name Côt. In Argentina, Malbec wines have been thriving for over 100 years.

Certain qualities jump out with Malbec wine. It is a very full bodied wine, very dark and with a strong concentration of flavors. The skin varies based on climate; in cooler conditions it produces a thick skin that raises acidity and tannins making it a more robust wine, and lower altitudes that have hotter climates lends to a thinner skin grape, more juice and lighter-bodied wines that are meant to be drunk young.

The flavors that often jump out are those of

Dark fruits:

  • Plums
  • Cherries
  • Raspberries
  • Currants

Spices: come from the liberal oaking process

  • Vanilla
  • Anise or licorice
  • Tobacco

It can be difficult to get to know a specific type of wine, or to find a wine you love! If you’re looking for a reasonably priced Argentine wine, this blogger’s wine recommendation would have to be a bottle of the Latitud 33 Malbec which can be found all over Buenos Aires But, as all classes, teachers, wine lovers and professionals will tell you, the only way to get to know a wine is to taste it! So in that spirit, read all you like, but you study abroad students know that one of the best ways to meet Argentina is to reap the fruits of its bounty, err… something like that. For those of you on your way to Argentina, tell us what you think and know about the Malbec in a comment! And for those mente study abroad students in Buenos Aires, whether or not you’re on our Wine Program, use this information to brush up before our upcoming wine tasting next week which you’ll hear more about in an email! Los requisitos son que ¡disfruten y que hablen castellano durante toda la degustación! Below are some handy wine terms in spanish so you can impress the group with your conocimientos del vino. ¡Que rico!

aterciopelado: used to describe older wines that have lost its roughness through tanins and has given it a smooth, pleasant flavor

abierto: used to describe a wine that has a clear color that allows much light to pass through

(vino) blanco: white wine

bodega: winery and wine cellar

botella: bottle

brillante: a characteristic of young wines that give them a strong shine and a clean or fresh taste/look

cata: wine course or professional tasting where the group examines the characteristics of the wine via look (vista), smell (olfato) and taste (gusto)

(vino) común: used to describe a wine that has no varietal specification

cubierto: used to describe a wine that has a dark, opaque color that doesnt allow light to pass through

cuerpo: body of the wine, describing the fullness or lightness of the wine when tasted.

decantar: decant. Gradually pour the wine from the bottle to another container to separate the liquid from the sediments at the bottom and expose the wine to air to bring out the flavors

degustación: wine tasting

enología: enology, the science and study of wine-making

fermentación: fermentation, the process that transforms must into wine by changing the sugars into alcohol

hollejo: skin of the grapes

lágrimas: literally translated as tears, in English wine terms known as the legs of the wine. When the wine is swirled in the glass, the legs refer to the droplets that slide down the side of the glass. The fuller bodied the wine, the longer it takes the droplets to descend. Often said in wine tastings, “this wine as great legs!” which unfortunately is not as sexy sounding when describing las lágrimas.

ligero: light, used to describe a wine that has a weak body, lack of flavor

maceración: softening/soaking, process of keeping the skins of the grapes in the must to give the wine stronger color and aroma

madura/maduración: mature. used to describe a developed wine/process of allowing the grapes to reach their optimal moment of growth

(vino de) mesa: table wine used to accompany foods, lower in quality and price

mosto: must, the juice from the grapes before it goes through the fermentation process

notas (de…): notes of or hints of, used to describe the tastes, usually subtler, found in the wine

paladar: the palate of the mouth, where most flavors of the wine hit.

postgusto: also known as retrogusto, it is used to describe the taste that lingers in the mouth after drinking a wine

redondo: said to describe a full bodied wine

(vino) rosado: a rosé wine, pink in color, made of red wine grapes but less red and with a different flavor because the skins are taken out before the fermentation process

sabroso: a taste defined by the variety of flavors and characteristics that make a smooth and tasty wine

tánico: used to describe a wine with a flavor defined by a high level of tannins

taninos: tanins, which exist in grape skins, sedes, stems, and even the barrels used to age the wine. Drawing the tannins out it dependent on the winemaking process involved. Tannins are marked by astringency (think of that sense of dryness or almost grittiness lets on the tongue) and bitterness. It is often maintained that tannins get less noticeable with age.

(vino) tinto: red wine

trasiego: a process of moving the wine around to decant and oxygenize it.

uva: grape

varietal: varietal, used to describe a wine made out of one particular variety of grape

vino: wine

viñedo: vineyard

vid: grape vine

vinicultura: viniculture, wine production and wine growing

vinificación: everything related to the wine making process

Rachel Sherman

Read More

Study Abroad City Guide: Public Transportation in Buenos Aires

July 06, 2011   MenteArgentina   No comments
colectivos buenos aires

Getting around the city is an experience in and of itself. While studying abroad in Buenos Aires, you’ll find you learn just as much through your day-to-day travels as you do in your courses – spanish courses teaching you the phrases you need to navigate the city streets (“permiso” “¿bajás acá?” “¿dónde está la parada 68?), DJ courses introducing you to tunes playing from the kioskos and out of car windows,  cooking courses showing you how to make those tasty empanadas and chorizo that you smell as you saunter down the andenes (sidewalks). As many travelers know, one of the best ways to get to know a city as diverse as Buenos Aires is to meet it through the angle of the cotidano, the day-to-day, the public transit.

The city of Buenos Aires extends 202 square kilometers, divided into 48 different neighborhoods (barrios in spanish) with about 13 million people inhabiting this incredible bustling city. Being a business and trade capital of South America, the public transportation that you use to get from your mente argentina apartment or argentine homestay to your internship in the city is also used by the locals, young and old, people living in the city and out in  la provincia, tourists and travelers all year long! Here is a little Mente Argentine break down on how to get around Buenos Aires:

Subte (Subway): The Buenos Aires subway system has 6 lines, differentiated by color and number. Lines E (purple) and A(light blue) run down the southern end of the city, lines B (red) and D (green) on the northern, and the C (dark blue) and the new line H (yellow) run perpendicular and serve as connections In between lines as well. All the lines converge in the very center of the city, around Corrientes and 9 de Julio or near Plaza de Mayo where the casa rosada (president’s house) is located. As Mente Argentine study abroad participants, you will mostly be using the B and D lines that run down Corrientes and Santa Fe, going through the center of the city as well as Palermo, Recoleta, Belgrano, Abasto, Once, Villa Crespo, Micro Centro, all some of the most interesting and popular neighborhoods in the city!

  • Fun Fact: The A (light blue) line is the original subway line opened in 1913 making it the first subway system in all of latin america and the southern hemisphere. The subway cars are older, made of wood and have hanging latern-style lights, the doors still open manually, and the trim on the walls in the stops are marked with different colors so that during rush hour it is easier to see when to get off. If you havent yet ridden the A line, go take a trip to Caballito or Carabobo just to get the original subte experience!

Colectivo (Bus): The bus system in Buenos Aires can seem quite complicated at first, but after a week of getting used to, it is one of the truest porteño experiences you can have! Finally memorizing one of two bus lines can be quite the accomplishment. There are over 135 working bus lines going not only through every neighborhood in the city, but also taking you to several cities in the Buenos Aires province. The bus has to be flagged down when waiting at the bus stop, and you have to tell the driver how much you want for your fare (general 1.20). Before riding the buses, or even leaving the apartment, you should always have you Guia “T” handy, a transportation savior for the student/intern in Buenos Aires. The Guia T is a booklet that shows every neighborhood and every street in Gran Buenos Aires, zoomed in for a neat map view, and divided into pages and quadrants. But the most important part of the Guia “T” is that each quadrant marks which bus lines pass through that square. When you find a bus line that works for you, you look up the streets it runs down in the back, and see where you will have to get off. It sounds complicated, but don’t worry: you will find a Guia “T“waiting for you in our Mente Argentina welcome pack and a happy Mente Argentina coordinator waiting there to explain it to you in more detail. If you happen to lose your Guia “T” they can be purchased at any newspaper stand in the city for about 10 A$R.

  • Fun Fact: The bus system used to work on commission for the bus drivers but it became a dangerously competitive system, and the buses stopped being efficient as well as safe. Drivers would choose not to stop when it wasn’t worth it for the number of passengers they could pick up, and would drive more recklessly. As a solution to these issues, it was changed into a privatized system, meaning individual bus companies own individual bus lines. Because of this, the buses only accept coins, although some are starting to use a city-wide monedero public transit card.  Remember, you should ALWAYS have coins (monedas in spanish) on you to take the bus, and bus rides usually cost abour 1.20 A$R

Trenes Urbanos (Urban Trains): The trains are used mostly by those living out in the province of Buenos Aires, only about 40 minutes to an hour away from the city. But the train is an incredibly easy and cheap way for commuters and travelers to get in an out of the city. There are also long distance trains that can take you to cities outside of the province, to great cities like Córdoba, Tucumán, Rosario and many more. There are a number of different urban trains, but they aren’t used as frequently as the busses or subway. One common trip however is the train to Tigre, a city outside of Capital Federal based on the river, that is often considered a nature escape to the porteños. You will get the train experience and a taste of tigre on our Tigre Excursion included in the program, but if that’s not enough, hop on the train from Barrio Chino (Chinatown) or Retiro for a day trip out of the city!

Extra – Taxis: Taxis in Buenos Aires, like in any big city, can be run through a recognized taxi company or not. Both locals and us here at the Mente Argentina study abroad office stress the use of company taxis, marked as Radio Taxis on the doors or taxi light on top. The Radio Taxi sign simply shows that said taxi is associated with a company that you could call and access, which makes it a safer ride. Though most taxis are painted yellow and black and say taxi on them, not all are radio taxis, and are not as safe as a bet.

  • Fun Fact: Companies and frequent travelers also use Remises which are similar to taxis but are run through a car service. They have a fixed rate and only work when prearranged so it is a very secure form of travel. When coming in to Buenos Aires to study, you will see our Remis or Taxi waiting to pick you up and take you straight to your house

It’s notable that almost everyone in the  city, rich and poor, old and young, locals and foreigners, all use the busses and subways in this city. Don’t worry if it seems difficult at first, any new system takes some getting accustomed to. But, to get a fuller experience, the public transit is something you can’t miss. Whether it’s by overhearing bizzare conversations in crowded areas, bonding with the locals while waiting in line, watching performers and musicians  (whom i endearingly call enterTRAINers) play on the subte, travel around this city is half of the study abroad Buenos Aires experience. Now that your accustomed to the public transit by ear, go ahead and give it a try by foot!

Rachel Sherman

Read More

Mente Argentina Study Abroad free cultural activities! La Bomba de Tiempo

May 17, 2011   MenteArgentina   3 Comments
konex

Yesterday night Mente Argentina had another great cultural outting to hear La Bomba de Tiempo play in Ciudad Cultural Konex. The band was bumpin, the crowd croonin, and the scene spectacular as always!

La Bomba de Tiempo is a group of percussionists directed by Stantiago Vazquez who mix stantard percussion sets with improvization  which makes every show a unique experience for the crowd and the band. The mixture of lighting, sound, video, dancing, and participation has made La Bomba the popular experience that it is, and an unforgettable show every time.
Aside for the show itself, part of the Bomba experience is the location. The building, originally an old oil refinary/factory, was reappropriated into a cultural center in 1992 with a ission to promote cultural expression in the community and offer an innovative, avant-garde space for artists and art lovers. It´s located in Abasto, a cultural center of Buenos Aires known for its art, tango, theater, and most of all its true barrio feel. Konex is host to a variety of rotating shows, performances, acts, all geared towards the same community building feel, which allows participants to truely feel conected to the works.

As always, we had a great time on our Mente outting! Need more proof? well check out those happy faces of our study abroad buenos aires participants! If you havent checked out La Bomba de Tiempo yet, let us know and we´ll make sure you get to experience the incredible vibe of Konex, la banda, la gente, y la buena onda en general!

Rachel Sherman

Read More

Study Abroad in Buenos Aires: Mente Argentina’s Safety Tips!

May 04, 2011   MenteArgentina   3 Comments
la-boca-caminito

Studying abroad is a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience, especially in the constant hustle bustle of Buenos Aires! Apart from making friends, going out, working with your internship, and taking new and exciting classes,you have to learn the ins and outs of this city that never sleeps. Learning to navigate yourself in any big city like Buenos Aires can be tough, with the added difficulties of traffic, people, language barriers, etc. The truth is, as far as big cities go, Buenos Aires is one of the safest cities in South America, but like all metropolises, whether you’re living or traveling abroad, its important to stay aware to stay safe. Although Buenos Aires can seem intimidating, and the porteños sure can scare you with their comments on the “dangers” of the city, if you pay attention to where you are and you know what to look for, the city becomes a whole lot friendlier.

General advice: Remember that theft is a two person interaction, and although even the most confident and calm of people can be effected, you can control a lot of the situation with your attitude. While traveling around Buenos Aires, try and keep an eye out for where you are and look like you know what you’re doing. Dont wear expensive items like watches or jewelry that draws attention to you, and keep cameras, phones, ipods, and other technology well hidden when they aren’t in use. Most importantly, try not to speak english loudly in public in general. That is the best way to flag yourself as a foreigner for pickpockets. (Plus, we are all here to improve our spanish, so what a great opportunity to practice speaking with your friends! ¡Qué bueno!)

If you ever feel unsafe, especially at night, there are certain areas in almost every neighborhood that serve as implicit protection. Walking on bigger, more populated streets is always better and gives you a sense of security which calms you down. If you feel uncomfortable, like your being followed or watched, ducking into a store or stopping at a kiosk for a little can be a good idea, because you have the protection of the workers there.

¡OJO! areas: Generally if you’re smart and look sharp, most areas in Buenos Aires can be safe at almost all hours of the day. Walking in groups is always better than walking alone, especially at night. But certain areas at nighttime should be avoided if possible.

Plazas and Parks: parks and plazas turn into implicit unwatched areas at night without the protection of people around. Try not to cut through parks or huge plazas at night, because many robberies have been reported there, where police and other neighbors aren’t there to watch out for you.

Tourist Areas (Caminito en la Boca, San Telmo fair, etc): during the day, these places, just like plazas, are bustling with people, and especially tourists. Its pretty much a guarantee that you’ll visit them at least once during your study abroad experience in Buenos Aires, and rightfully so – they’re delightful! But also be aware that any place that attracts a lot of tourists will also attract pickpockets looking for expensive things to take from travelers. Just keep an eye out on your possessions, don’t wear anything too expensive or flashy, and you should be safe and sound.

Juan B Justo: This palermo area, marked by train tracks, divides palermo viejo/soho and palermo hollywood. Lots of people start their night in one palermo barrio and want to move to the other by foot, which means crossing the tracks or under the bridge. This area is also known for robberies because drunk partiers cross back and forth, carrying lots of money, and become immediate targets. If/when crossing, keep a look out for other people, and make sure to cross in groups when possible.

Consitución: This area Consitución is the next barrio over from San Telmo, a beautiful, cultural, lively old neighborhood in the city. Consitución basically starts west of 9 de Julio boarding on San Telmo, and should be avoided during the night because it has the reputation for illegal activity and robberies. The other area to be careful about is crossing during the night Avenida San Juan during the night, which cuts through the bottom half of San Telmo. The avenue runs under or right next to the highway overpass, which is dangerous, unwatched, and should be avoided after dark.

Pickpocket ploys

1. The mustard: a common trick in many big cities, mostly in plazas, one person accidentally spills something on you, mustard, ice cream, a drink, etc. Then as an apology, offers to wipe it off for you. You put down your bag, or are simply paying attention to them, while a partner of theirs steals what they can while you’re distracted. Remember, there are many variations on this trick, with soap, lotion, supposed bird droppings, spit, everything the mind can imagine. The best response when someone offers to help you clean something off is to say with a smile, “no gracias, yo lo puse allí y me gusta como está!”, or “no thanks, i actually put that there this morning and i like it just fine, thank you!” and keep on walking!

2. The couple fight: more common on the subte (subway) than anywhere else, but a couple gets into a loud fight in the middle of a crowded area. Our human instinct to watch other people’s drama kicks in and distracts us while another partner (usually a child) takes what they can. When you see this happening, just grab hold of your possessions and try not to stare too much at the fight going on (because our mothers taught us anways that its not polite to stare!).

3. The classic bump: pretty self-explanatory, someone bumps into you and as they do, stick their hands into your pocket, bag, purse, etc. Just make sure to keep your stuff close to your body in crowded areas.

Subtes y Colectivos: Subtes and Colectivos are where the most petty crime is committed. Pickpocketing is common here, so  make sure to keep all bags close to your body, wear your backpack on your front or side with your arm over it (even the porteños do this), and don’t pull out any expensive belongings. If listening to an ipod or using a phone, make sure to hide it in a safe pocket somewhere that you are always aware of it. If you have a fabric bag of some kind, people have reported getting off buses and subways with their bag slashed open and their possessions gone. Just makes sure to always keep your things near you and your eye out for pickpocket situations.

Taxis: The safest way to take a taxi is to call a radio taxi, because then the company is connected to the driver and therefore is much more secure. If you have to catch a taxi from the street, make sure to get a radio taxi as well. There are radio taxis from all different companies, and they are marked both on the side (saying radio taxi) and have a taxi light on the top of the car. Using unmarked taxis can be dangerous because you run the risk of being ripped off for the prices, and can be associated with an illegal group of some kind in the city. Our professional Mente Argentina suggestion is to never use an unmarked taxi, and call a radio taxi for the most secure ride. To make sure the taxis dont overcharge you, pay attention to where you’re driving, so they don’t drive in circles to keep the meter running.


Like we said before, aside from the petty crime like pickpocketing, Buenos Aires is very safe for such a big city! In general, staying aware, calm, and trying to blend in to the porteño way of working the city will help make Buenos Aires a safe, fun, exciting place to study abroad and live in!

Rachel Sherman

Read More

Hot Holidays

January 05, 2011   MenteArgentina   1 Comment

Caitlin McCoy

Navidad – Christmas:

The summer heat already makes the holidays feel distinctly different and Buenos Aires celebrates Christmas with unique Argentine flourishes. This year, the holiday season began with a firework show on Sunday, December 19th. Hundreds of people gathered at the Centro Cultural de Recoleta, (a Cultural Center in the neighborhood Recoleta) on a grassy hill overlooking the city to watch the show. Similar gatherings took place all across Buenos Aires as the crowd enjoyed a stunning display of holiday fireworks. The fireworks continued on Christmas Eve when families set them off in the streets late into the night…or rather, early into the morning. Friday and Saturday night were also popular nights for bars and clubs in Buenos Aires as the unstoppable nightlife certainly wasn’t slowed down by the holidays, rather it seemed to surge because of the holidays as clubs hosted huge parties on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Fuegos Artificiales over Recoleta

While there is still plenty of activity in the city, most porteños flee the heat to take advantage of vacation time and head over to the coast outside of Buenos Aires to the beach towns along the coastline like, Pinamar, Mar del Plata, Carilo, Villa Gessell, Mar de Las Pampas, and Ostende, just to name a few. Others venture further away to other vacation hot spots in South America like Punta del Este, Uruguay and the Brazilian  coast. Those who leave the city, but skip the beach are usually headed into various providences to spend time with family like heading north in Salta or Missiones or going south to Patagonia or Calafate where the weather is cooler.

As far as decorations go, I did not see one live evergreen Christmas tree here in Buenos Aires, but considering the season and climate, it is not surprising. However, there were plenty of artificial trees in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Scattered throughout the city in public parks and plazas, there were large Christmas trees made out of white lights and little red gift boxes hung over one of the city’s main streets, Avenida Santa Fe. Shopping centers featured giant Christmas trees and a range of decorations, including Santa and his elves. Some porteños decorated their apartment balconies with lights and store windows featured holiday displays which made window-shopping even more of an attraction than usual. Decorations that included snowflakes, snowmen and fake snow were comical in the oppressive heat- it ended up reaching 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) on Christmas Day!

A Christmas tree along Av. Libertador

It is customary for families in Argentina to gather and enjoy a big dinner together on Christmas Eve. Many Argentine families have an asado, a traditional Argentine barbeque, and they often drink clerico which is cider or wine chilled with fruit, much like sangria. Every family has their own traditions and special dishes, but among them you will find things in common like, empanadas, milanesa, puree de papas and/or calabaza. Also present at Christmas dinners is pan dulce, which means, “sweet bread,” but is actually a type of fruitcake.

Pan Dulce with a variety of berries and nuts

Noche de Reyes – Kings’ Night:

Each family has their own traditions regarding gift giving during Christmas time, which often has to do with another holiday that is related to and celebrated close to Christmas: Noche de Reyes or Reyes Magos, Kings’ Night. According to biblical tradition, the kings that visited the newborn baby Jesus in Bethlehem did not arrive until after his birth, a day agreed upon as January 6th. They arrived with gifts for the baby: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Many countries around the world celebrate the Kings’ visit with this holiday, including Argentina. So every year on night of January 5th, children put their shoes out before they go to bed so that the Kings will leave gifts for them. Children often also put out a little bit of hay and water for the Kings’ camels and to encourage the Kings’ generosity. Some families give gifts on Christmas or Kings’ Night and then give children small toys or candy on the other. There are a variety of songs and other traditions that are also a part of the holiday, but they vary widely from region to region and country to country.

Shoes filled with gifts the morning after Noche de Reyes

Hanukkah:

Hanukkah is celebrated widely in Argentina because of the large Jewish population, particularly in Buenos Aires. One way to celebrate is to go to a public menorah lighting hosted by Chabad-Lubavitch, which has centers all across the world. Argentina has more than 10 Chabad-Lubavich centers, at least three of which host menorah lightings. There is also a large municipal menorah in Plaza San Martin in Buenos Aires which is set up by the city government.

The menorah in Plaza San Martin

If celebrating Hanukkah in Buenos Aires, it is a great idea to visit to the city’s predominantly Jewish neighborhood, Once. It is a historic area, filled with wholesale shops, kosher restaurants and synagogues. Located right next to Once, in the neighborhood Abasto, there is the only kosher McDonald’s outside of Israel. Tucked away in the Abasto Shopping Center’s Food Court, this McDonald’s is carefully monitored by Argentinean rabbis to ensure the food is completely kosher. It serves the typical McDonald’s menu but there is no form of dairy available.

One of the many places in Buenos Aires to enjoy famous Argentine beef in a kosher way

During Hanukkah, Argentines give family small gifts, like chocolate coins, or “gelt,” but gift giving isn’t emphasized in Argentina as much as it is in the United States or other countries because the holiday is considered relatively small here.

Read More
« Older posts

  •  

    May 2012
    M T W T F S S
    « Apr    
     123456
    78910111213
    14151617181920
    21222324252627
    28293031  
Powered by WordPress | Designed by: search engine optimization company | Thanks to seo service, seo companies and internet marketing company