MEET MATTHEW.
Matthew studied abroad in Mendoza, Argentina during the Spring of 2017.
IF NOTHING ELSE, DON’T FORGET TO PACK: A battery pack for charging electronics (great for long bus rides), and a small gift from home for your host family.
ON SECOND THOUGHT, YOU CAN LEAVE AT HOME: Big expensive camera (someone else in your program will probably have one and share the photos with you). A really large suitcase — don’t want to get charged for oversized bags. One large (40L) backpack and a medium sized checked bag should be enough. Packing lighter will make in-country travel easier. No need to bring consumables like shampoo (they take up a lot of space and are easy to buy once you get there).
WHERE TO LIVE: Homestay for sure! Almost all of my friends really enjoyed living with host families. If it doesn’t work out, you can always switch host families. I lived in Godoy Cruz, close enough to the city center and university (20 minute walk, short bus ride), but it also had more of a neighborhood than city feeling. Even though you have slightly less independence, the benefits (constant language immersion, home-cooked meals, second family in another part of the world) far outweigh any downsides.
BEST PLACES TO EAT: Zampa (Fun ambiance, somewhat pricey, great food and large drink menu); El Palenque Aristides (Good variety of typical food, good price. We would go here as a group occasionally); Club de la Milanesa (Must try! Two locations – Aristides street and Chacras de Coria neighborhood – the one in Chacras has a better outdoor eating area); Arabian Food Truck on Colon street (great falafel for a good price — opposite corner from Universidad de Congreso); La Tabla – Beer & Grill (HUGE portions. The barbecue plate for “3 people” was probably enough for 6)
Azafrán (Best dining experience I had. It is expensive though, so maybe save this for a final dinner or if you have family come and visit. They have an above ground wine cellar room that you can go in and select a bottle with the help of the sommelier); Josefina Resto (Another really tasty spot, but also kind of expensive); All the ice cream shops!
FAVORITE CULTURAL ACTIVITY: Almost every Sunday afternoon my host family would have a barbecue in the “quincho” (a room dedicated to barbecues). One big cultural difference I noticed is how often family gets together. In the USA, I might see my extended family for holidays; however, at my homestay, my host parents’ children and their families would come every Sunday (sometimes for lunch on weekdays as well!).
BEST PERSONAL HIDEOUT: The garden of my host family. Most homes had a private backyard/garden and on nice days (so almost every day) I would try to spend some time there.
FAVORITE PLACE TO STUDY: My room with some “mate” and hot water (an essential study buddy).
MUST-TRY LOCAL DISH: The asado (barbecue). It’s seasoned with just salt and slow cooked over a wood fire.
BEST PHOTO OP: Either Potrerillos Dam or go on a hike to one of the Aconcagua (tallest mountain in the Americas) base camps.
BIGGEST FAIL: Finding myself in the middle of a flash flood while on a trip to Buenos Aires and only having packed one pair of shoes.
BEST PURCHASE: Mate and bombilla (a gourd and metal straw for drinking the customary hot beverage)
MOST INTERESTING CLASS: Close tie between my “Water Resources in Arid Climates” class and my winery internship.
BEST PART OF THE PROGRAM: Meeting people through the local Ultimate Frisbee club (no need to be any good, great way to meet locals, this is where me and the other exchange students were invited to a bunch of social events (kayaking in the mountains, barbecues, etc.), Facebook group: Ultimate Mendoza).
MOST MEMORABLE TRIP: Even though it wasn’t a long trip, going to my host sister’s wedding. It was especially fun acting as a Spanish/English translator for her host parents who came from Australia (she studied abroad years ago). Favorite “far-away” trip was to Bariloche. Great hiking and outdoorsy activities — and chocolate!
BEST LOCAL EVENT/HOLIDAY: Vendimia (wine grape harvest festival).
FAVORITE LOCAL WORD/SLANG: “Ojo”. It literally means eye, but there is an associated hand gesture and someone does it when they want to say “be careful”, “stay on your toes” or something to that effect. My host mom would say this a lot.
IF I COULD DO IT OVER AGAIN… I’d stay for two semesters.