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What a fun weekend! It was my first camp and I can honestly say I enjoyed it as much as the students. The theme was
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Grainne Kenny's First Camp
Friday, August 26, 2011
Photos Emma Langford in Viedma, Rio Negro
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Orla Collins in Cultral-Cò, Neuquèn
Buenos Tiempos Baby!
I’ve used this phrase so much since coming here that my Argentine and Irish friends alike have come to use it as well. Jaja!
I’m sitting here in the living room of my house in Cutral-Có, Neuquén, laptop resting on my legs and curled up on the couch with a cup of tea (some things never change! :D ) and I’m trying to think where to begin. . . Argentina!
I arrived in this country in early March. It is now early July and so much has happened since I first came. In the aftermath of the Chilean volcano, as I walked out of my English institute tonight the wind blew ashes into my face. I think of yesterday and my tango class in a local room in the town centre. It is a quaint, old spot, with white and turquoise painted walls, very old-fashioned and yet when the tango music begins it feels like there could be no better place to dance. I go there with friends of mine and my sky high heels which I’m told are best for tango dancing – suits me fine!
The students and teachers in my institute are legends! I love them to bits and though I haven’t reached the end of my trip yet the thought of saying hasta luego to them already makes me feel sad. It’s been a great few months. Some of the best of my life and that is no exaggeration.
I’ve seen the bright lights and never-ending streets of Buenos Aires, I’ve gone dancing and partied til dawn in the energetic and stunning city of Cordoba, I’ve driven up into the sierras of Cordoba amongst mountains that are breathtaking, I’ve eaten the Argentine specialty ‘locra’, I’ve chilled and made friends in the wonderfully relaxed and zen Mendoza, I’ve taken-on the capital of Chile and strolled the streets with a model, I’ve sampled the cuisine of Valparaiso and seen the Pacific Ocean but most importantly I’ve grown to love maté margo! : P You’ll know what I mean when you come here ;)
The people are great, the culture is diverse and colourful, the acado is absolutely delicious, the weather is such a nice change, the country so varied and the nightlife and their cumbia and reggaeton music is AMAZING!!!
I never thought that I’d enjoy it half as much as I have. In fact, just before coming here I was feeling quite the opposite. All I can see is that it has been an experience that I know I will always think of with the best of memories of my friends from here and the fun I’ve had. I’m so glad I came. If you’re looking to make memories, you’re sure to do that here. This is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed! ;)
Friday, July 1, 2011
Tim Foran in Rio Negro and Cordoba
To get into the mood for writing my Co-op report, I thought I would put pen to paper (or fingers to keys as it were) on my recent exploits, tribulations and overall experience here in Argentina. I suppose I’ll start at the beginning, at a passionate speech by a certain Jerry Cronin (if you’re reading this, the vast majority of you will know Jerry, and introductions are not necessary, for all the others, simply put, for all of us in the University of Limerick doing Co-op, he’s our leader). So, there I was, young and naïve in first year, and faced with where in the world I wanted to go and do my Co-op, and I narrowed it down to two places, Ghana and Argentina (despite some impassioned pleas for Uganda). After both talks, I was still in turmoil, and decided that because I’d have the opportunity to learn Spanish in Argentina, and Ghana would be so different that I might hate it, I filled out the form, did the interview, got the placement, and s*#t myself for the next four months until I was to depart.
Upon arrival, I will never forget the intense, heavy humid heat that hit me as I walked out of the airport. Having departed Ireland in March, I had been wearing a coat with all my essentials (passport etc.) safely tucked away, and so was nearly melted by the time we got to the bus. Two quick days, a scavenger hunt for an ATM, and a 16km bike ride in 30 degrees heat in BA later, we went north to Baradero, a small town near Rosario, for 2 weeks. Sure then, it was myself and 22 other students, and true to form, we found a bar a few doors down, and transformed it into our local. They played traditional Irish music for us, and lambasted the place in green on Paddy’s Day. It was there we realized everything was dirt cheap, and so a love of Isenbeck and helado began. I will never forget my first mate, downing a scalding flask of it in order to try and win a competition, the first asado with the crickets, and the pool on a scalding hot day after the Spanish classes. Baradero had it all, both ups and downs, from interesting nights out (we know the ones I’m on about), an unreal talent show and a hilarious play, to a serious over-use of the toiletry facilities, and a toilet destroyed in a helado parlour… I won’t name the culprit.
After two weeks of living in each other’s pockets, we zoomed off to Retiro and off to different ends of the country. I’ll never forget falling asleep and waking up at 6 in the morning to desert as far as the eye could see. My first placement was a town called Catriel, a small oil town of 20,000 people, and one disco. However, I got to know a lot of people there and made some friends, as well as obtaining the use of a scooter, and got to experience first hand the lethal non-system driving of the Argentineans, as well as an error of driving the wrong side of the road my first time out, it had it’s moments lets say! Everyone there was so friendly, and my family were such unbelievable people, For the Easter break, I went with some of the other people in the programme to Bariloche for the weekend, where I fell in love with Fernet, and went white-water rafting in the Andes, with an asado there after… coolest thing I have ever done! The nights out were awesome, but what happened there is best left to the legends of Bariloche…
My next placement was the capital of the province Rio Negro, a city called Viedma. There I lived with the headmistress of the Institute, and couldn’t have been treated better. I saw lobos (sea-lions) and the beach resort of the city. The city has a beautiful river, in which they swim in the summer and do all sorts of water activities, it really was a beautiful spot, with Patagones, a different city, across the river, which is really old, and very typically old South America. One of my adult students brought me to his “small” farm on a Saturday, I have never known a man with so much land, It was incredible! Target practise with a rifle, drove a pick-up around the desert, and then came back to a sheep being slaughtered and prepared for asado by a gaucho, brilliant! For my Visa week, I went to Puerto Madryn for a day and saw some whales, and then headed to Calafate for a week with Ronan Deasy, a compatriot English teacher. Patagonia is truly a desert, after Four Weddings and a Funeral, I decided to look at the night scenery, and saw nothing, not one light, for five hours, truly spooky stuff. After witnessing the worst place in the world, Rio Gallegos, we headed to Calafate, where we chilled for two days before visiting Puerto Natales in Chile for a freezing night, and back to Calafate, where I witnessed one of the most spectacular sights I have ever witnessed, the Perito Moreno Glacier, definitely worth a look! After a day of jumping fences to look at flamingos, and drinking with a lot of strangers from Europe and America, I returned to Viedma, and onto my final placement.
Villa Maria is indeed my last port of call, the last placement in this saga of, well, placements. I wanted to go North after Patagonia, and got my wish, being placed in the perfect spot, one hour away from Cordoba! I live here also with the headmistress of the Institute, and everything has been top-notch. I graced Cordoba with my presence last weekend, and decided to visit a zoo for the first time, with the result of me being locked in the zoo in the pitch dark, and finally jumping a wall and some razor wire onto a street, where I had no idea as to my location or general bearings, fun! After a brief visit to a spot in the mountains called Carlos Pass, I returned to Villa Maria for what can only be described as a special night, involving a nap in a park and some friendly police officers sheltering me. Situations do arise with a need for Spanish, and it is always best to have the necessary level, I can assure you! Also, the weather in the north has been very like Irish weather, with a lot of rain and low temperatures, and the ashes from the Volcano in Chile didn’t help matters either! I also made some brown bread and Irish tea for my host family, and they loved it, nothing like sharing the ole culture!
And so, if you haven’t got bored and drifted to sleep, I hope you enjoyed me regaling you about the tales of my minor misfortunes, and unbelievable experiences. Overall, it is a life-changing experience, it truly is, and opens up your mind so much. You meet some great people, live a different life, become addicted to Mate, Dulce de leche, Milanesas, Alfajors and Empanadas, if not addicted, you will have your fill, I can assure you. Oh, and Fernet, not quite like anything you will have tasted before, but this alcoholic drink is brilliant! Also, if you think 3 hour bus rides are long now, here you will do 10 hours with no problem at all! My experiences above is to give you an idea of whats ahead, and where-ever you get placed, you will have an amazing experience, and if you have already lived in Argentina, then you’ll know what I’m on about. Where I shall travel to next I cannot say, but the North calls, with the Falls, La Paz and Machu Piccu to come, it ain’t over by a long shot!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Ronan Deasy in Puerto Madryn, Chubut and Capital Federal, Buenos Aires
Hi. Before I begin telling you about my experience with the Teach Argentina program, I should probably tell you a little bit about myself and my history, because I suppose this was a huge factor in what made me want to live and work in Argentina in the first place. I’m a student of applied languages in the University of Limerick and Spanish is one of my languages. I had decided that for my co-operative work placement I would dedicate at least six months of my life to living in a Spanish speaking country, it had never occurred to me that that would not be something along the lines of teaching in some far flung corner of the Pyrenees or administrative work in Madrid. I knew that Argentina was an option, and I always had an interest in history related to Latin America, but I never really considered it as a possibility for my internship. I thought it was too far and completely impractical, just for the want of improving my grammar and vocab.
There were a few incidents which slowly changed my mind. I remember being told about it by a friend who had participated in the program a few years back and he couldn’t emphasise enough how important it was for me to go to Argentina. I still wasn’t convinced. I read as much as I could about Argentinian history and watched every single Argentinian film that was available in my university’s language center, but the idea of going so far away for so long still made me anxious. In the end, I resolved that nothing I read or saw would ever fully prepare me to make such a huge decision. So I took a leap of faith. I stopped thinking altogether and filled out the application form.
I had no idea what to expect when I arrived here in March. I knew that I would more than likely be placed somewhere relatively unknown, and I wasn’t disappointed. I was sent to the Patagonian coastal town of Puerto Madryn, in the province of Chubut, about 1,000 km from Buenos Aires. The location was beautiful. Puerto Madryn is the top destination in Latin America for whale watching, also I loved the idea that it was a big bustling town that was completely surrounded by hours and hours of desert. The school I was working in was a secondary school called Escuela de la Costa and I loved every minute there. I worked with all ages, from primary to secondary. We got off to a great start when I spent the last half hour of my first day signing autographs for all of primary school. I became very close to the kids and I still miss them to this day.
In Madryn I stayed with the preceptora of the school and her family. They were amazing people and I couldn’t thank them enough for how well they cared for me. They were always offering to take me out to do things and to explore the area. I became very good friends with the son in the family, who was my age. Also they didn’t speak any English which was ideal. I look forward to the day when I can go back to Madryn.
After about two and a half months I transferred to Buenos Aires city, where I am currently working in the Caballito neighbourhood, in another secondary school called Saint Exupery. All is going brilliantly so far and I love my new family. The father is a well known leftist politician which creates a really interesting home environment and allows for some pretty interesting discussions around the dinner table. I’m so happy to be in Buenos Aires again, it has so much energy and it really is ‘la ciudad que nunca duerme’.
So far I’ve only done one camp but I’m scheduled to do another one soon again in Rosario. I loved the experience of being a camp counsellor and the kids always have great fun too. The child in me always wanted to take part in all the games. Most of the activities we did were based on a theme that carried through the whole weekend, like ‘The Wild West’ or ‘King Arthur’, and it was only when I finished that I properly realised how much we actually got done. The activities I got to supervise ranged from a rap workshop to teaching the kids gaelic football. Overall it was very enjoyable.
I’m not sure if it’s fair to say that you have to be a certain ‘type of person’ to take part in the program, because it seems to attract people from all different backgrounds and academic fields, all of whom are very successful in their placements. I would say the most important thing to have if you take part in this program is an open mind, and almost a desire to be taken out of your comfort zone. And whether this means trying to speak a different language day in and day out, or trying to learn how to cook Argentinian asado(trust me it’s hard), I can assure you it’s a worthwhile experience.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Ruth Robinson in Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires and Plaza Huincuil, Neuquen
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires we were total ‘rookies’. Many of the group with not one word in Spanish, and those of us who had studied it had no idea how to go about implementing our moderate knowledge! We required the aid of a map to get food for god sake! And to make matters worse I can’t even read maps! The joys of coming from Westmeath! The humidity in the city consumed each and every one of us. The Gringros had well and truly hit Palermo. Next stop Baradero!
Off we set in a double decker to Baradero to embark on a crash course in Spanish and indeed an insight into the complex culture. Before long the boys sussed out a nice bar a stones throw from our hostel and swiftly took the place over! The LITRES of beer on offer were far superior to our miniscule pints in Ireland, and for half the price too! Those who smoked had them coming out through their nostrils due to the value in comparison to our money eating country. We learned Spanish by the bucket load and also became skilled as camp counsellors. Unfortunately our change of environment didn’t quite agree with the majority, and many hours were spent bent over the toilet, or indeed running frantically to get there on time! I think it brought us closer! We enjoyed every moment, most memorably Tim Forans lament to Jerry Cronin! So after an intense two weeks it was time to go our separate ways which was both sad and exciting all at once.
My first placement was in Buenos Aires in an area called Ramos Mejia which is an hour from Palermo. A born and bred country girl, first impressions were rather worrying. I was in an apartment in a very busy town which was not so easy on the eye. Initial anxiousness was quickly eased by the caring nature of the family who I soon became a part of. I decided it may not be my ideal location but I was going to do everything in my power to make the most of it! My first day at the Orange Day School was daunting. Kids running and screaming everywhere, questions in Spanish coming from all angles! Smiling and nodding was all I could do. My timetable was sorted and it was straight to it. Landed into classes with no notion what to do, so initially head shoulders knees and toes became my saviour! It was totally up to me what I wanted to do with the kids in the classes, so it was high time to stimulate my imagination. Luckily my host mum was an English teacher of young kids and she really helped me with sound advice and ideas. It didn’t take long to relate to the children, and the rewards were abundant. The love and affection they express is so fulfilling. I couldn’t help falling head over heels in love with them all. My five weeks there were fantastic, I worked mostly in the primary school; however every Thursday I went to the Kindergarden. Singing twinkle twinkle with 2 year olds who are wondering where in earth their mammy has gone is just amazing!
Before I headed south to my next placement in the province in Neuquen, I had my first experience as a camp counsellor in Torre Blanca. It was hard work but thoroughly enjoyable. The location was incredible, so peaceful in the heart of the countryside where I belong! I had finally escaped from the city! My group were teenagers who were at the peak of their development, and hormones were bouncing off the walls! They were difficult to manage, but a lot of fun all the same.
So on the Wednesday night Fernando took me to Reteiro to catch my 17 hour bus to my new home in Cultural Co. I felt as though I was starting the adventure all over again and heading for the unknown! Thursday midday i arrived exhausted and felt filthy; not the ideal state to meet your family for the first time. They welcomed me with yummy ravioles for lunch. On the Saturday night my host mum was celebrating her birthday, and I attended the wildest party ever! It was in a shed custom made for assado. Food and drink was in abundance and they danced the night (morning) away like I’ve never seen before! On Sunday I woke up at 5.30…..in the evening!! A record for me! I soon realised I was going to enjoy the banter on offer in my new location. I started work that Monday in the Rainbow institute which was completely different to my first placement. The classes are smaller and a more laid back atmosphere which I was thankful for. So at present I am working with all ages, for the most part over 7 years of age which is easier than two year olds swinging off you! With the more advcanced classes I can now discuss interesting topics with them which is really refreshing. I am now certain that I want to be a languages teacher and I’m so excited.
Apart from the working end of things I have travelled to some great plaves. One bank holiday weekend we all took off to cordoba which is a fabulous city. Possibly the craziest weekend in my life thus far! One of the funniest occurrences was chanting Irlandese Irlandese on the streets at 5am in the morning with a bunch of argies we didn’t even know! Melissa walsh and I also took off to the mountains to go on a horse riding trek with a mad man called marcela. He reckoned I looked just like his ex, a girl from England and we had such craic all day. I was also extremely proud of Melissa who never rode a horse before but despite this navigated her way perfectly around the beautiful cordoba terrain. A trip to Villa La Angostura with Monica, the lady who owns the institute at present was mind blowing. The lakes, forests and mountains took my breath away. Then it was high time we changed our visas and off to Iguazu Falls we took. This is a must for anyone who comes to Argentina, they are truly amazing! We thought so highly of them we decided to get our faces blown off by one in a speed boat! Right in under it we went and it was thrilling. Melissa and I also went rafting down the Iguazu River, with thee hottest instructor I’ve ever set eyes on! After Iguazu we set off to Rio De Janeiro and what an experience it was. More hotties, beaches and beautiful sights. The street party in Lapa was one of the highlights. The rain poured out of the heavens and we partied to beating drums like soul sisters!
So for now it’s the gym and school every day; and of course progressing continuously with my Spanish which is great. Trips to Mendoza and Salta are on the cards before I head for home sweet home. Without doubt, this has been and still is thee most amazing experience of my life and I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity!! Viva la vida!!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Sarah Murphy in Rafaela, Argentina
They call me Mufasa but I go by the name of Sarah Murphy. A second year student of Applied Languages in UL, I am based in the province of Santa Fe, in a city called Rafaela for my Co-Operative experience . Rafaela is about the same size of Limerick but it is really just a big town surrounded by the flat plains of Las Pampas. There’s not an awful lot to do but there is a cinema, a lovely plaza, some decent restaurants, shops and fun boliches. The best thing about where I am is that it hardly rains and its location is so convenient for travel. I am based 3 hours from Rosario, 5 from Córdoba, 7 from Buenos Aires [this may sound like a lot to someone who has never travelled in Argentina but after 15 hours on a bus to Mar del Plata, it is nothing!]. I live with the Rios family and their basset hound, Minnie. They live in a nice suburb, 20 minutes walk from the city centre, in a homely spacious house [and pool!]. Lisandro and Maria have been welcoming as my host parents but with little English and a thick Corrientes accent, communication has been an issue! Their children are Lichi [10] Santi [6] and Agu [5]. Life with three boys in the house tends to be loud but they are very sweet and are always asking me to play with them. The best thing is that while I teach Lichi at work, Santi and Agu have taken to speaking as much English to me as they can, where they previously had none. Pat on the back for me!
The absolute icing on the cake has been my work placement. I work in the Sky Institute with my boss, friend and Spanish teacher, Vero. Vero owns the business and I assist in her classes every day. She listens to me, asks for my input, ensures I am having a nice time, brings me to soccer matches [Atletico Rafaela have just achieved first divison success – YES!] and is so kind and supportive. I know most of her family by now! I teach all ages – from 5 to 50 – and the set up and students are wonderful in Sky as are the other teachers, Flori and Vane. I work my 20 hours a week and reinforce the ideas of culture and language through games and presentations. Travel-wise, so far I have been to Mar del Plata, Córdoba, Mendoza, Santiago, Valparáiso and Buenos Aires. I’ve learnt how to make Maté, I’ve had Pisco Sours, I’ve gone horse-riding in the Alps, I’ve helped run a hostel in Mendoza, I’ve seen a proper football game, I’ve had home-made churros and made my friends here in Rafaela along with Claire O’Riordan. There is only 4 weeks left for me here before I go off to England to teach English for the summer and while at first I was happy to go home, I desperately want to see all Argentina has to offer! Unfortunately, that is not possible but the one thing [amongst many] I will take away from this experience is that all my previous stereotypes and expectations were blown out of the water. My Spanish has come along leaps and bounds and Argentina was more than I could have imagined. I am so eager to come here and really see all the country and people have to offer.
Matthew Collins in Capital Federal, Buenos Aires
I have been learning Spanish since I arrived here and I attend classes in Lenguas Vivas four times a week. I have progressed to the Pre-Intermediate class.
I teach a woman English once a week here too. She practices speaking with me in a not so typical way, for example this coming Sunday we have agreed to meet at the MALBA, which is a museum here in the city. While there we will have an English class as we enjoy the art on display.
I have experienced a lot of new and interesting things since arriving. I went to see some films during BAFICI, the Buenos Aires Film Festival. I went to the Plaza de Mayo for the remembrance day for the mothers of those who disappeared during the Dirty War. It was a very interesting experience. I visited Recoleta Cemetery to see the crypts of some well known people. I went to see a four person performance in a small theatre with my friend Rodrigo and another girl one night too. We went out for the night after that in true Argentine style: visited three houses then went to a nightclub at five in the morning! The lifestyles of the people here are different to Irish lifestyles and it’s enjoyable to experience new things.
I started to take drum lessons from Andrea Alvarez, she is a well known musician here in Buenos Aires. I learn to play and read music from her. I joined a gym close to where I live and I’ve also started playing 5-a-side football with another Irish guy, an American and a group of Argentines. The city has a lot to offer. I visited the Japanese Garden and Zoo in Palermo. Bond Street is an indoor shopping centre full of Tattoo Parlours, Piercing Parlours, alternative clothes shops and shops for skateboarding. The walls of the centre are painted in graffiti style. I love living in the city. I am from a town in Ireland that has a population of approximately twelve thousand people so it is a big change for me to move to the capital city of Argentina. There is always something to do here. I’ve made some new friends; some are from the city and others from small towns in the province and are now living in the city. It’s great for me to practice speaking Spanish with them. Everything is going very well for me here. I am very happy with the placement.
