Pete, 29, London
Why did you choose to come to Argentina?
I have lived here before in 2003 for more or less 6 months, when I was 19 years old. After stopping through Argentina for a month, I went traveling through South America for 4 months and then decided I really wanted to come back. I worked in a couple of bars and really got to know Buenos Aires and my Spanish was at a really good level.
How was your Spanish before you came?
Pretty much non existent. I had studied Spanish for a year in high school learning basic introductory Spanish.
What made you want to come back?
I turn 30 in January and just had a bit of a life epiphany. Having of kept in touch with people I had met in Buenos Aires but had moved to Europe. I kept my Spanish going speaking to them and then realised I can really talk and thought I should dedicate some time to getting it back in to shape.
Why Expanish?
Well, it had a very good reviews and testimonials about this place. As well as the location being right in the center of town. It also seemed to have broad mix of students with different levels of ability. There also seemed to be a lot of places that just offered introductory and beginner courses. However, because I did have a background of learning Spanish,
When I came here I was fortunate enough to meet Gabriel. The first thing he did was ask me to do a test, to see how good my Spanish was. It was a little bit dissapointing as I was not as good as I thought I was. He then put me in a class with everyone at the same level as me. What I really liked is that the classes are not dictatorial, we talk loads and that really is the best way to learn Spanish! I am really enjoying it! One thing you kind of forget is that Brazil is just next door so you get a lot of brazilians in the school, which is awesome! If I look back at what I learn’t in school in that one year of High School, I have probably more in the one month that I have been here than I did in that entire year.
What do you like about Argentina?
I find that the people are generally really warm and welcoming. Obviously its sad at the moment with the state of the economy. However, on the flip side it means that we can live and travel and come to school quite cheaply, relatively talking. I like the fact that having spent 9 years in London where they are rules and regulations for everything, then in comparison here there isnt much order but in a positive way, there is rules and regulations too but not everyone respects them and it kind of makes you feel free in a way. I have been quite fortunate to end up in a neighbourhood called Caballito, which I didnt know so well prior to coming here. But, its really cool I really really like it.
What activities did you do here?
I have seen a couple of movies, which was really good. Then I went to the Intercambio which was fun and I think I am going to the Mate tasting this week.
How long are you going to be here for?
Well I am here to stay ! I plan to study here at Expanish until December, being 3 months in total, then I am going to do the DELE exam as I think it will be a worthwhile thing to do have a universal accredited qualification of my Spanish. Then, have a go at starting my own business here, with 9 years of Digital and start up experience under my belt so it seems like everything is coming together quite well.