Tips from an American student for living in Buenos Aires
Emma recently finished her summer studies in Buenos Aires! After her time there, she has some tips to share to ensure each student who comes abroad can have an amazing experience.
Living in a new place is nerve-wracking, especially when that place is in a completely different country. When I first got to Buenos Aires, I was overwhelmed by all the new things around me, and it took a little bit of time to adjust. But I anticipated this and tried to prepare myself for it. Here is a not-so-comprehensive list of things I did (or wish I did) to get accustomed to life in Buenos Aires
1. Watch Argentinian Shows
The Argentine accent is not like the Mexican or Spain Spanish taught in most schools. For the first few days, I was confused when anyone would speak Spanish with me because it was different than what I was used to hearing. One of the best things you can do to help adjust to the accent is to watch Argentinian shows. A couple of good ones that I recommend are Love is Blind: Argentina, El Eternauta, and Go! Vive a Tu Manera.
2. Download Whatsapp
If you’re from the United States, you most likely just use the messages app on your phone. Most people in the rest of the world use whatsapp. If you’re staying with a host family, they may try and find you on whatsapp before you get there to be able to reach out and introduce themselves. Expanish also has a whatsapp group for students, so make sure you have it downloaded before you go to save yourself a little bit of trouble.
3. Check the Weather
If you’re from the northern hemisphere, be aware that the seasons are opposite of what you’re used to. Look up the average temperatures for the dates you’re going to be able to pack accordingly. I went in May when it was fall going into winter. The first two weeks were pretty warm, but by week three it had cooled off, and I was regretting not bringing an extra jacket.
4. Know Your Food Preferences
Food is different in every place. What you eat at home is not the same as what they eat in Argentina. If you’re staying with a host family, make sure that you let them know what you like to eat. They don’t like to throw away food and want to make you things that you enjoy. I recommend making a list of foods you don’t like to give to your host. That being said, don’t be afraid to try new things!
5. Carry Cash
Using a credit card is usually easier than carrying cash around, but if you have cash, you may just save a little money. A lot of places will offer a discounted price for paying with cash instead of card, usually about 10%. This saves both you and them money!
6. Don’t be afraid to Speak Spanish
At first, hearing and seeing everything in Spanish was really overwhelming, and I wanted nothing more than to just speak English with someone. I was afraid that people wouldn’t be able to understand my Spanish, or that I wouldn’t be able to understand the people talking to me. But that’s okay. Being misunderstood is part of the learning process. Speak to your classmates in Spanish. Speak to your host family in Spanish. Speak to the cashier at the little kiosco in Spanish. They’re not going to make fun of you for making a mistake, so just talk to them!
7. Be Alert
Buenos Aires is pretty safe, but it’s still a big city. Make sure you keep an eye on your things, especially when using public transportation. You should keep your bags in front of you and a hand on them at all times. If you have a backpack, move it to your front when on the bus or subte.
8. Visit Local Places
The best way to get used to a new place is to explore it! Ask your teachers, host family, or even classmates what places they recommend visiting.
9. Enjoy Your Time
If you spend your whole time missing home and making yourself miserable, you’ll never adjust to life in Buenos Aires. Let yourself have fun and do things. Buenos Aires has so much to offer from museums to clubs to music. Have fun!
Hopefully, at least one of these tips will help you get adjusted to Buenos Aires and enjoy it!
