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Archive for September, 2008

Just say Mafalda – Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires with this charming little girl.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:21

Categories - Argentine Customs and Culture - 0 Comments

Students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires and learning about Argentine culture will soon notice the great sense of humor that the people here have; especially about politics, history, and things typical to Argentina. To express these thoughts to the masses, Argentines for decades now have turned to writing comics. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can open most local papers and find a dedicated spot for comics specific to Argentina.

 

One very well-known and loved comic is called Mafalda. The Mafalda comic features a little girl who was extremely concerned about humanity, world peace and making a change. She speaks about past and current events, challenges them, and gives people new insights. Students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will be able to get an insight into history, and the country, and the fears and feelings that were had during many important times in history. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can relate this character to those characters of the American comic Peanuts. Like the children in Peanuts, Mafalda is very adult-like and speaks about relevant topics and concerns.

 

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will no doubt have seen her collection of comics in local bookstores. Discontinued now, between the years of 1964-1973 Mafalda appeared in the newspaper Primera Plana, then Mundo, and lastly Siete Días Ilustrados. The comics that students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires will find now are short collections, during sectioned periods of her publication are definitely worth a buy for their humor, politics, and Argentine history.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Students pack up your bags and take your Spanish classes in Argentina to the beaches of Carilo!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:39

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carilo2 300x225 Students pack up your bags and take your Spanish classes in Argentina to the beaches of Carilo!

 

 

 

Students taking Spanish immersion courses Buenos Aires during the Argentina winter will be quick to realize that winters here are not half bad. In general, there is very little rain, the temperature never really drops below -0, and there are many days that bring sunshine and warmth when you are least expecting it. Therefore, students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires should take advantage of this fact, the fact that prices are almost 30% less during the ‘off-season’, pick up their bags and books, and head out of the city, slightly down south, to Carilo.

 

Students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will find it easy to arrive to Carilo as it is situated only about 330Km from Buenos Aires nestled in among a beautiful urban forest and on the beaches of the Atlantic coast. Students studying Spanish in Argentina may not yet have heard of this tranquil, yet upscale beach town which is closely located near the slightly more famous town of Pinamar. Regardless, this underdeveloped beach town is just as breathtaking in the winter and somehow manages to offer something for everyone; ocean, beaches, camping, fishing, sand sports, restaurants, cafes, and fantastic shopping- all year round.

 

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will notice a world of difference between the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires to the sandy and tree-lined streets of Carilo. In the middle of Carilo is the town´s ‘center’ and is where the restaurants, cafes, shops, etc. are located. The area is small, but architecturally speaking, absolutely beautiful and unique, and is where the people of the town gather. Students studying Spanish in Argentina will find houses, apartments, and cabins, mostly accommodation options, circling around the centre, and all incorporating nature into their design, and even sometimes, into their homes.

 

Students studying Spanish in Argentina can head out of the center and walk to the beautiful Atlantic beaches within 15 minutes. The beach goes on for what seems like forever and is lined with beautiful apartments, resorts, and restaurants, yet somehow has avoided feeling over developed and managed to keep the feeling of seclusion. On the beach, students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires can enjoy the sun, go for a swim, rent 4×4 quads, fish, or any other activity they wish to do – including study!

 

Carilo is the perfect beach destination, summer or winter, for students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires. It offers up a beach/forest setting, gorgeous accommodation, activities, and a feeling unlike anywhere else. It is a great, affordable, and convenient destination to visit for students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires who wish to get out of the city for the weekend or a few days and experience something totally different than Buenos Aires.

 

Click for more information about Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Take your Spanish classes in Buenos Aires to the dark and mysterious world of Argentine Jazz!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:35

Categories - Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Clubs - 0 Comments

Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires will hear the sweet sound of music throughout the streets of the city, day and night. No matter what your music taste, Buenos Aires will offer concerts, shows, and music venues to suit every taste. One genre of music that is very popular throughout Buenos Aires is jazz. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can head down to one of the coolest jazz bars in town every Wednesday to Saturday to hear local and international bands.

 

Thelonious Club, located in Palermo is one of the more trendy and popular jazz bars in the city and students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires will no doubt hear about it shortly after their arrival. The club plays live jazz music starting at 9:30pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays. The place fills up with Argentines and foreigners alike, most dressed trendy yet funky, and all looking for a night of great jazz. Students in Spanish lessons in Buenos Aires will be able to test their Spanish skills when any of the local or international jazz bands feature a singer.

 

The place itself is small, dark, and artsy, with a beautifully low-lit bar, corner stage, and a 15-20 tables. For students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires that are above the legal drinking age, Thelonious also offers some of the tastiest and cheapest cocktails in the city. For the curious, try the Gospel Martini, the Frozen Mojito, or the Mint Collins. The price of admission ranges from 12 – 18 pesos, depending on the night, and also shows a double show (9:30pm/12:00am) Fridays and Saturdays. Sounds like the perfect night out for students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires.

 

Click for information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires or the Thelonious Club.

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Learn Spanish in Buenos Aires with the dogs of Argentina!

Friday, September 19, 2008 8:41

Categories - Buenos Aires City Attractions - 0 Comments

Students studying Spanish in Argentina will quickly notice there are pet stores all over the city of Buenos Aires and, in general, catering mostly to dogs. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will also quickly notice that this is a city of apartments and therefore the owners of all these dogs must take their dogs out a few times a day to ‘do their business.’ Now what does one do when they do not have the time to walk their dog two/three times a day? They hire a dog walk walker.

 

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires have no doubt seen the paseadores de perros (dog walkers) strolling the streets with often more than 10 dogs at a time. The dog walker stands more or less in the middle/behind the dogs, with all the individual leashes meetings in the hands of the walker. Students in Spanish classes in Buenos Aires will notice these dog walkers walking through the neighborhood where the dogs reside and also heading to parks to let the dogs loose in gated dog areas or just sitting down while the dogs look on.

 

Students who study Spanish in Argentina know that finding a job can be difficult for the people of Argentina. For this reason, dog walking is completely encouraged in the city, and has become so popular that dog walkers now need a license and have restrictions on the amount of dogs they can walk. Dog walkers make about $100-150 pesos per dog per month. So if you have 10 dogs you can make up to $1500 pesos/month.

 

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will agree that this really is a sight to be seen and one of the more shocking things is that you never really see dogs fighting. Every dog seems perfectly at ease with one another and just happy to be out. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires may want to consider this position; it is like being paid to get to know the city and to learn Spanish in Buenos Aires!

 

Click for information about Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Learn Spanish in Argentina and Learn about the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo

Thursday, September 18, 2008 12:44

Categories - Buenos Aires City Attractions - 0 Comments

Argentina is a country full of history and students coming here from abroad to take Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires should be sure to learn all they can. One very important time in history is still very evident every Thursday in Plaza de Mayo; las Madres de Plaza de Mayo. Students learning Spanish in Buenos Aires should head down to the plaza on Thursday to support and to learn about the history of Argentina and make the most out of their Spanish immersion in Argentina.

Students taking Spanish classes in Buenos Aires can see the mothers walk every Thursday in order to remind people of the atrocities of the Dirty War and of the many ‘disappeared’, (people who were abducted and then killed during the dictatorship). The first group marched in 1977, despite a ban on public gatherings, and there were only 14 of them.

Today, there are more than 50 mothers who walk, with an audience easily over a hundred. Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires can have a first hand look at this political organization, being the only organization to overtly challenge the military government and carrying out their struggle under the name of motherhood. There are many historical sights in Buenos Aires, but students who learn Spanish in Buenos Aires will agree that the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo perhaps still make the biggest impact.

Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires can walk down from the school to the plaza, talk to locals, or talk to the women at one of the stands selling literature about the Dirty War. Our Expanish students learning Spanish in Argentina also have the opportunity to visit the Plaza on our unique weekly city tour, where they can hear more about the history of the plaza and las madres. Seeing the Mother’s of Plaza de Mayo is a must for those taking Spanish immersion courses in Argentina as it gives an incredible insight into one of the tragedies of war in Argentina.

Click here to learn more about Spanish lessons in Buenos Aires and las Madres De Plaza de Mayo.

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Students studying Spanish in Argentina can get their ‘sweet-on’ in this dessert loving nation. Dulce de Leche, Alfajores, and Flan, Oh My!

Thursday, September 18, 2008 12:25

Categories - Argentine Customs and Culture - 0 Comments

Students who have come to study Spanish in Argentina often are hit by the sweet tooth of Argentina before they have even gone through customs. They perhaps have already been tempted by a delicious Alfajor on the plan ride over or have seen its brightly wrapped exterior in an airport store window. Regardless, students in Spanish immersion courses in Argentina will soon discover that this is a country of sweet-toothed people.

 

Let us start with the Alfajor since we already mentioned it and our mouths have already started to water. The Alfajore, cookie by nature, is a delicious circular treat, formed by two rounds of sweet bread, a delicious middle of dulce de leche or jam, and a sugar layered exterior. Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires cannot miss this delicious cookie sitting in the windows of corner stores, bakeries, and coffee shops. Students will also discover a quick Spanish lesson in Buenos Aires when they must learn to ask for it, in what form, with what filling, etc…Delicious.

 

That brings us to dulce de leche. This is milk based sauce used as filling in cookies, cakes, pancakes, etc… Students taking Spanish classes in Buenos Aires often already know the sweet tale of this syrup, as it is also common in other countries throughout Latin America. Students in Spanish immersion in Buenos Aires can make this syrup by simply slowly heating condensed milk until it singes and becomes like caramel. However, since it is offered on almost every corner, we advise you just buy a ready made pot.

 

Last but certainly not least is the ‘oh’ so popular, he said she said of deserts, Flan. There is no certain origin of flan and it is correct to say that most countries take some sort of credit for it and therefore it is the desert of all countries. In Argentina, students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will be able to find this delicious desert on almost any menu, more often than not, covered in dulce de leche. Students taking Spanish classes in Buenos Aires should also learn how to make this simple recipe and pair it with the dulce de leche above!

 

When visiting Argentina, students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires should not miss the opportunity to take advantage of these delicious sweets, strike up a conversation with a local, and practice Spanish.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Students studying Spanish in Argentina know that drinking and driving is bad! But what about drinking and shopping…?

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 11:41

Categories - Buenos Aires City Attractions - 0 Comments

It is quite apparent that the people of Argentina enjoy drinking wine; most students taking Spanish classes in Argentina begin to notice this after only a few visits to local restaurants or bars, experiencing extensive wine lists and wines bottles occupying most tables. It is also appropriate to say that Argentines enjoy shopping; students taking Spanish classes in Argentina will also notice the amount of shops, boutiques, and malls in the city and the fact that they are always busy. During the next few Fridays, the city has taken these two loves and combined them to make the Wine Tour Urbano Palermo.

 

The Wine Tour Urbano Palermo celebrates the wines and fashion of Argentina while combining wine tasting with upper scale shopping. Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can head down to Palermo to indulge in tasting local Argentine wines while shopping in local boutiques and clothing stores during after hours. Every fashion and interior design store on Malabia, between Honduras and El Salvador, will be opening its doors to visitors between the hours of 7pm-10pm. This may just be heaven for most Spanish immersion students in Buenos Aires!

 

Students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires can look forward to September 19th when the event starts off. This night is devoted to the red wines, showcasing the Malbecs and Merlots of every winery. Studentsstudying Spanish in Argentina can then head back on October 17th for the Syrahs and Cabernets, and on November 21st, all wineries will present their best wines.

 

This is a fantastic event for students in Spanish immersion courses in Argentina to indulge in wine and fashion, walk among the Argentines of Buenos Aires, and practice their Spanish!! There will be two stands, one of Malabia and one of Honduras, where tickets will be sold on the day of the event for $45 pesos.

 

Click for more information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Learn Spanish in Argentina while adding a little ‘Borges’ to your studies!

Monday, September 15, 2008 7:40

Categories - Art, Museums, Theatre & Cinema - 0 Comments

The name Jorges Luis Borges immediately comes to mind when speaking of any sort of great literature in Argentina and Latin America. Students studying Spanish in Argentina will soon become familiar with this literary genius and all of his strange and eccentric masterpieces.

 

Borges was born in Buenos Aires in 1899, and lived in the suburb, which students taking Spanish lessons in Buenos Aires have come to know and love, famous Palermo. At this time, Palermo was not at all the same Palermo that it is today. The neighborhood was characterized by cabarets and brothels, men chasing lusty women, tango bars and knife fights, and most of all by the seediness that lay in each street path. Very different than what the trendy Palermo today offers its students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

 

Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires may agree that perhaps this is where Borges imagination began to open and fill with all the strangeness, passion, and history that is found in all of his many writings. Unlike most people in his neighborhood, Borges was from the middle-class and quite the intellectual thanks to his parents’ persistent push of education.

 

In his literary works, students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires should be able to recognize the ideas Borges took from Argentina and Buenos Aires to put into his writings. Students learning Spanish in Argentina need not worry about a language barrier, as having studied English in Europe for a few years, Borges also wrote some of his pieces in English, later which were translated into Spanish.

 

Spanish immersion students in Argentina will find that among writing poems, critic pieces, short stories, and novels, Borges also collaborated in the founding of new publications, was named director of the National Library in Buenos Aires, and over the years won countless awards. In the 1950’s Borges went completely blind and works thereafter were written in narration; students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires will notice that his imagination and skilled story telling never changed in this time.

 

Students studying Spanish in Buenos Aires can find the works of Borges throughout the city as Argentina, and the rest of Latin America pride him as one of the greatest writers of all time. Students learning Spanish in Argentina will find that he writes everything from poems to fiction stores, all incredibly imaginative and at the same time very complex. His 1944 collection of short stories, Ficciones, is seen as a masterpiece, and has been translated into numerous different languages around the world.

 

Click for information on Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires!

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Experience the Traditional Estancia while taking Spanish immersion courses in Argentina

Thursday, September 11, 2008 13:31

Categories - Uncategorized - 1 Comment

morgan 2 estancia 300x225 Experience the Traditional Estancia while taking Spanish immersion courses in Argentina

Students who study Spanish in Argentina and at Expanish will have the remarkable opportunity to visit a typical and traditional Argentine estancia during their Spanish immersion courses in Argentina. What is an ‘estancia’?Estancia is the Spanish word for ranch. And although similar to a typical ranch, for example, estancias tend to be much bigger in size than that of a North American ranch. Estancias offer many ‘cowboy’ activities and are a wonderful experience for those taking Spanish immersion courses in Argentina.

Estancias, in the past and now, continue to play a huge part in the economy of Argentina as they are the producers and exporters of meat and grain around the world. Students who come to learn Spanish in Argentinaand Buenos Aires must learn that this is not your typical farming practice; to Argentines it is as much of an art as is the art of wine making. Spanish immersion in Buenos Aires students will have the option to visit severalestancias located close to Buenos Aires and in and around Argentina.

Students studying Spanish in Argentina will be able to not only visit but also stay a night on a working estancia in order to learn about the Gaucho (Argentine ‘cowboy’) culture and tradition. Estancias offer their visitors activities such as hikes, swimming, horseback riding, cattle drives, or to join in on the daily activities of gauchos. For a total Spanish immersion in Argentina experience, students should stay for the lunchtime asados(barbeque), to learn about the art of cooking meat and vegetables from around the country.

During these asados, gauchos are known to enjoy grouping around a fire to play and sing folk music. These traditional songs are all in Spanish and are a great way for students learning Spanish in Argentina to pick up some traditional words and song tunes. Not only do gauchos love folk music but they also love to sit around the fire and tell stories and legends about Argentina and its people.

Expanish offers a day trip to a nearby estancia once a month for its Spanish immersion in Buenos Aires students who take programs of eight weeks or more. Our package for our Spanish students in Argentina includes: Round trip transfer from Buenos Aires, Snacks and a large asado lunch with unlimited drinks, a folklore dancing show, agaucho horseback show, horseback and carriage rides, and optional overnight stay with breakfast.

Visiting an estancia on the country side is one of the most Argentine activities that students who study Spanish in Argentina can take part in. For students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires at Expanish there are many estancias close by that they can experience the gaucho culture, relax and enjoy nature, and make the most out of their Spanish immersion courses in Argentina.

For more information on Studying Spanish in Argentina and Activities click here!

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Learn Spanish in Argentina and indulge in Buenos Aires Fashion Week

Thursday, September 11, 2008 13:26

Categories - Concerts, Events, Festivals and Holidays - 0 Comments

 

Those students taking Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires are no strangers to the fashion that can be found on the streets, stores, and people of this cosmopolitan city. Buenos Aires and its fashion-conscious residents continue to follow behind the fashion tracks made by Europe and keep up with each season’s styles, trends, and hot designers. This week in Buenos Aires, August 20-23, students studying Spanish in Argentina will be able to indulge in four whole days of fashion fun with Buenos Aires Fashion Week.

It is a great way for students in Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires to learn about porteño fashion and style by putting on their best and heading down to La Rural on Av. Sarmiento 2704. The space is huge and elaborately decorated and the fashion shows, exhibits, and showrooms will be located through the area. There will be three fashion runways showcasing daily fashion shows, more than 40 different designer showrooms, and a lounge area with dining options. Once students finish their Spanish language courses in Buenos Aires for the day they can head down to enjoy fashion from 2 until 10 pm. Entrance is 20 pesos.

Students who study Spanish in Buenos Aires will discover that the people of this city are known to take pride in their appearance, love European fashion, and often dress to impress. Expanish’s Spanish immersion courses in Buenos Aires are all about immersing yourself into the daily culture, and this week there is no better place to see some Argentine fashion while putting to use what you have learned in your Spanish classes in Argentina!

Click a link for more information about Spanish courses in Buenos Aires or Buenos Aires Fashion Week!

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