Written by John Reece Volunteer in Argentina
I wanted to come to Argentina to learn Spanish, to learn a different culture from the European and to make my time here a rewarding one. The project in La Boca, Buenos Aires, fulfilled all of those.Despite my lack of speaking skills, the coordinator, Cristina, her co-workers and the children of La Boca were extremely warm, helpful and welcoming. I was there to support the children with their English, yet they also helped me with my Spanish.Toward the end of my time in La Boca, I met one child's parent who came to the project every day. He told me his daughter had passed her English exam, and thanked me for my help. This was exactly the rewarding experience I was looking for.Intelligent children despite the area they live in, and the difficulties they encounter, it is much harder for them to make something of themselves in the future. Do a tiny bit for them, made a huge difference to me. photo

By Yamila Quinteros from the Spanish School in Buenos Aires. photo

Almost every Argentinean love meat, and the Asado, Argentine barbecue, is the way we like it best – grilled on a huge spit over a pit full of red hot coals, and it's a must when you gather with family and friends on weekends. Besides the meat itself it's also very common to eat spicy sausages (chorizo), kidneys (riñones), sweetbreads (mollejas) and small intestines (chinchulines): the famous parillada mixta. Bread and salad are the perfect side dishes. If you are invited to an Asado or decide to eat in a Parilla (BBQ restaurant), bring your appetite because the food is served in large portions. Many Parillas are all you can eat for a fixed price so it might be wise to eat lightly beforehand. In the southern parts of the country the Asado uses lamb meat instead of beef. That's why Argentina is the beef capital of South Amercia with more per capita consumption of beef than anywhere else in the world!!So if you come to Argentina, you have to eat our asado, which is more than a meal! Is a ritual shared with friends, in a pleasant environment and of course, drinking excellent Argentinean wine.

Por Lorena Campos Campos, School director at the Spanish School in Cordoba photo

En la Escuela Córdoba, no sólo estamos convencidos de que vivir una experiencia intercultural debe ser único, sino que también además de enseñar español, decidimos compartir la alegría de recibir a tanta gente linda en nuestra escuela con una “Fiesta a todo Verano”
Cotillón, pileta, bailes cariocas,cuarteto y por que no también, celebrar y entregarles bonitos presentes a los mejores bailarines…
Realmente para no perdérselo!! 40º grados de calor…y mucha diversión

Summer Party at the Spanish School in Cordoba













In the Cordoba Spanish School we are convinced that being part of an intercultural experience means not only learning Spanish but also sharing wonderful and unforgettable moments with new people. That's why we have organized the “Full Summer Party”.
Carioca dance, garlands, balloons, masks, cuarteto dance and why not celebrating by giving presents to the best dancers…
Impossible to miss!! 40º hot degrees ...and lots of fun.

By Victoria Mensa. COINED Outbound Programs.

Chile is not only a great place to visit, but also an incredible destination to learn Spanish. For the last three months I have been working in Santiago de Chile, and during that time I experienced ton of wonderful things.
To begin with, when I arrived to this marvelous place, I was surprised to find such order and cleanness in South America. It is said that this part of the word is chaotic, but Santiago will change your mind. It is not only clean, but also organized. For example if you need to move around, using the metro is just perfect, never too crowded, always punctual and ready to take you everywhere in the city.
Another spectacular aspect of Chile’s main City is its people. They are very respectful, and always willing to help. Imagine if you get lost, or need some advice where to go, you will find help just by asking someone in the street. Usually I am a mess with directions, so it was unique to have everyone ready to help whenever I got lost in the subway!
Last but not least, get in love with the amazing views you will come across. You will find all you can imagine, from mountains to lakes and wonderful beaches. You just won’t have time to take so many photos as you will want. For me it was impossible to stop traveling and getting to know all the beauties of this place.
There is much more about Chile that I can talk about, but you should visit this striking destination and experience it on your own. I am sure you will write me thanking because I told you about it! :)



Would you like to see more pictures? Check this Photo Gallery

AT THE SCHOOL IN BUENOS AIRES – (Spanish & Literature teacher: Susana Estévez)(Ejercicios de escritura usando los tiempos del pasado)

PATINES

El día había llegado. Yo era una orgullosa dueña de un nuevo par de patines. Fui afuera de mi casa a probarlos. Me senté en la vereda y me los puse. Entonces, me levanté y de pronto la tierra me pareció menos estable. Cuando el viento empezó a soplar, me pareció que sería empujada por la calle y fuera del mundo.

ÁRBOLES

Teníamos un gran árbol cerca de nuestra casa. En lugar de frutas, muchas veces este árbol estaba lleno de niños. ¡Como nos encantaba trepar a ese árbol! Mi mamá se escondía en la casa y rezaba fervientemente para que nadie se caiga.

HAMACAS

Cuando yo era niña, mi familia visitaba a mi abuelo cada año. Como no tenía primos de mi edad, mi mamá y yo íbamos a la plaza frente a la calle.
Un día decidí ir a la plaza sola. Jugué en las hamacas un rato, entonces decidí volver a la casa de mi abuelo. Caminé por la plaza, crucé la calle, y su casa no estaba allá. Me sentí un pequeño soplo de miedo, pero entonces recordé que la plaza era un cuadrado con cuatro lados. Volví al centro de la plaza, caminé hacia otro lado, crucé la calle, y allá - la casa de mi abuelo!