Enjoy all these PERKS as a part of your Immersion Argentina program!
Personal Trip Advisor:
Upon registering with Spanish Immersion, you’ll be assigned a personal advisor who will be at your disposal to answer any questions you might have and lend advice from their many years of experience; anything from choosing an airline, getting your passport in time, electing travel and medical insurance, to what kind of clothes to pack, will my appliances work there, will there be a gym, and will I have to live without Starbucks....We can see your questions and anticipate your concerns from both a US and Argentine prospective!
Pre-Departure Packet:
From our experience, your arrival and orientation goes more smoothly if you have a few key-things in hand ahead of time. Before you leave, we send you a goodie bag which contains:
Orientation info and map customized to your program and your BsAs address.
Handy Spanish Cheat-Sheet with the most commonly used phrases in Argentina
Phone card with ~30 minutes of International talk time (so you can call someone as soon as you arrive without worrying about where or how to buy one!)
Peso-Packet- we send you a few small bills to have tucked in your pocket when you arrive. Although only worth a few dollars, it can be worth its weight in gold to have pesos on hand to buy a snack or use the internet before you've exchanged your dollars or found an ATM. Moreover, many kiosks and small stands will not accept the larger bills you get at exchange houses or ATM's. We'll send you these handy tips, as well as some current price lists so you can orient yourself to what the money is worth before arriving.
Personal airport pick-up:
And transfer to your accommodation. When you arrive at the Ezezia airport, you will probably be feeling a mix of anxiousness, excitement, nervousness and just plain exhaustion! So, you can be comforted knowing you just need to look for the friendly face holding a sign with your name on it, and you’ll know where to go. Our drivers are all able to speak English, so, regardless of your Spanish level, you won’t have trouble.
Arrival Welcome Packet and Guided City Tour:
Your first day at the ELEbaires Spanish school, you will receive a packet with a nice brochure-style map, more local restaurant suggestions and tourist sites, and even more info to make you look and feel like you know where you’re going! Laura, your director, and all the professors are more than willing to help you locate anything you are looking for. They love their city and want to help you find your way around. And, to help with more your orientation, you’ll have the chance to take a guided city tour of the historical downtown area.
Spanish level exam, classroom and study materials, and Completion Certificate:
On your first day of classes you will take a Spanish level test to determine which small group you should be in to make your lessons most effective. There you will be given your study workbook which will be used to supplement your classroom lessons and activities. Then, upon completing your stay, you will be awarded a certificate proudly displaying the level you have achieved.
For those intermediate or advanced students looking to meet local people and challenge themselves even more with the language, we pair you with an Argentine student or young professional who will be your language partner. Matched to fit your age, gender, hobbies, etc, they are friends of the school who offer an hour or so of their free time after college or work to meet with international students and chat freely in Spanish. Most often, you will meet to “tomar algo” in a local cafe or chat in a nearby park. More than just great language practice, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn things about local culture never found in a textbook, and to make new friends!
Free Cell Phone Rental:
Can’t believe we didn’t list this first, right!?! Upon arrival, you will be given a cell phone to use for the duration of your stay. We only ask that, to use this service, you pay a deposit of US$50, which you will get back when you return the phone. We show you how to use the phone with prepaid cards so you won’t receive a bill (which is just as easy as you’d assume).Much like regular phone cards, it uses more minutes to call internationally than does a local call, but the reception you will find to be amazingly clear, despite the distance. The best part, though, is that to receive calls internationally, it does not use any more minutes than a local call. So, it is a fantastic and efficient way for your families to keep in touch, and for you to keep tabs on your new Buenos Aires friends!
24 Hour emergency contact, both US and in Buenos Aires:
This is something you will most likely never use at all, but we feel it is essential to have. Before you leave for your trip, you will receive two emergency cell phone numbers; we ask you to please keep them with you at all times, as well as give a copy to your family home. One will directly reach the head of Immersion Argentina in the US, and the other will reach the director of the ELEbaires school in Buenos Aires. For you, this is a way to ensure you have someone to call in case of emergency, who is there to help, day or night, who knows the land and the laws, speaks English if you need it, and will help you, regardless of your jam. For your parents/spouse at home, they know that in the unfortunate circumstance that an emergency arises at home, they can make a quick local call and we will locate you asap.
Orientation info and map customized to your program and your BsAs address.