The next couple of months we from Expanish, Spanish school Buenos Aires, will have guests from the University of California. We have joined forces with University of California’s Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) to make sure the students of UC have a good time in Buenos Aires. Making sure that they enjoy the city and country, get the best out their study abroad program at the University of Belgrano and offcourse make sure that they Learn Spanish in Argentina.
University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP)
We have joined forces with the University of California’s Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) to assist in the operation of the UCEAP Buenos Aires program. We work directly with the UCEAP administrators, staff, and students in offering a wide range of logistical and support services. In this case, we have partnered UCEAP with the University of Belgrano in Buenos Aires, so students from across the UC system can enroll in Intensive Spanish courses for an academic semester at this local university.
February 2012: UC students, welcome to Argentina!
This is the second year that Expanish is working with UCEAP and we are very pleased to welcome this new group of students to Buenos Aires.
In order to provide excellent quality service, we follow a calendar of general events, in addition to our weekly programmed activities so that the students can experience the Argentine culture while simultaneously developing their Spanish language skills.
February 1st Arrival in Buenos Aires
The group arrived in safe and sound Buenos Aires and were welcomed by the Expanish staff at the airport. After settling down in the city, we shared dinner at a cozy downtown restaurant, where students sampled their first tastes of traditional Argentine fare and watched a live tango performance. Students were able to introduce themselves to other students and start making some friends.
February 2nd Orientation
Once the students got to rest after their long trip, Expanish provided them with an extensive orientation, designed to give them all of the information necessary to be successful in their program (system of credits, grades, etc); general facts about Argentina with regard to its history, geography, and culture; tips related to security and health matters (who to contact in case of an emergency, how to act in such cases, and where to go). Students were also taught how to use the public transportation system and how to move around the city in the safest possible way so that they can make the most of their time here in Argentina.
February 3rd Orientation II plus city tour
This year, we were fortunate enough to have Representatives from the United States Embassy come to our Orientation to provide the students information regarding the history of the relationship between the United States and Argentina, which, fortunately, is growing stronger day after day. They also ensured students that they can count on Embassy services in case of an emergency, and discussed documentation issues and any other type of assistance required.
After the orientation, the students were taken on a city tour around the different neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. We made stops in Plaza de Mayo (May Square), here the Casa Rosada (Government House) is located, and in the traditional and colorful barrio of La Boca, the port of the city.
February 4th
What could be better than ending orientation with a day out at an Estancia? On Saturday the students boarded busses and we all headed out to San Antonio de Areco, to spend a day in the country at a beautiful Estancia, or a ranch. The students enjoyed a delicious asado, the traditional Argentinean barbeque, rode horses, played football and volleyball and were treated to a special show from one of the gauchos, or Argentine cowboys, who showed off his skills.
We hope that the students enjoy their time learning Spanish in Buenos Aires and make the most of this wonderful experience abroad. It is something that will definitely change their point of view and will open their minds even more.