Study abroad confessions: What I wish I'd known before coming to Buenos Aires

Send Love BA is proud to announce our new series: Buenos Aires Study Abroad Confessions

Native Marylander and 2010 Buenos Aires study abroad student Rachel tells it like it is.

Entry 1: The Truth about Home Stays in Buenos Aires

Most programs offer a “home-stay” with an Argentine “family” to experience the culture. Often a residencia (dorm) is available for an additional cost. The “home-stay” is a great experience—for about one month, and then it gets old. Some get lucky and live with a great family with host-siblings, and other students have less luck. Many of the home-stay “families” consist of a single old lady or a married old lady who needs the income. You probably won’t be permitted to invite guests or use the kitchen (though you are expected to provide your own lunch, which get’s expensive when you have to go out nearly every day). But the residencia has its drawbacks as well; there are many rules (no guests after 10pm, for example), the food is not great, it’s expensive, most residents are Americans, and you won’t have as many opportunities to practice your Spanish.

This is what I wholeheartedly recommend: If your program offers an intensive month, DO IT. Only pay your program for the home-stay for that one month (they will refund your housing money if you declare independent housing before the payment deadline), and use that month to find an apartment. That way, you will still get the “home-stay experience,” but won’t have to sacrifice your independence while living abroad. You can practice your Spanish with roommates your age rather than with an old couple. There are plenty of ways to become “immersed” in the culture here—It doesn’t have to be with a family. Obviously you can still end up in an American-culture bubble if you live with other students from your program, but if you look, you can also find some cool Argentine of South American kids your age to share an apartment with.

There are websites to help you find the right living arrangement; the one I used was www.spareroomsba.com . Unlike in the US where most apartment leases are year long, apartments in Buenos Aires are frequently rented on a month-to-month basis. I had 3 roommates from Spain and one from France, and my Spanish improved so much just from living with them (and I obtained more of a ‘hip’ vocabulary). I was also able to invite my friends over to have dinner, or to crash after a night of going out, but I hadn’t been able to do any of that while living in my home-stay (I moved out of after three months).

Summer Semester & Winter months in Buenos Aires

Coming to Buenos Aires for your "summer semester?" Pack some heavy clothes! This is a special note for gap year and college students who are preparing for a summer in Buenos Aires.

June, July and August are chilly months in Argentina. It's super important to pack layers, stockings, turtle necks, long johns, a snug hat, hoodies, thick socks and a big coat/fleece. Snow isn't an issue, but Buenos Aires is specifically humid year round and the cold can really settle in.

Also important to note is that dinner and night time festivities will be indoors as opposed to the usual outdoor hanging out that takes place in popular locations like Plaza Serrano (Cortazar) and Plaza Armenia. Don't be shy to stick your head into smaller joints and peñas to join in on the fun.

Food from the north of Argentina is specifically great for the winter with steamy empanadas and stews called "guisos." Locro is a specific stew that has white beans (very rare in BA!) but is also packed with gross animal parts that are not part of a healthy human diet.

The best way to keep warm this winter semester is by enjoy Send Love BA's home made chicken soup. We make it fresh to order and deliver 6 servings right to your door. Cold and flu season is here and we're here with our Get Well Soon package to sooth your sniffles.

Need help on planning your (or your child's) stay in Buenos Aires this winter? Contact us at www.SendLoveBA.com or www.BACulturalConcierge.com

Sweet Newsletter from Send Love BA

Greetings from the Send Love BA Kitchen! This edition of the newsletter is full of special offers, new packages and US brand extras for our cherished friends, new and old.

It seems that the summer sun has finally set on Buenos Aires and in it’s grand tradition, fall is flying by. We’ve got just what the doctor ordered for staying warm, happy and healthy!

To brighten up the gray days this season we are offering 20% off on flower deliveries! Use the code “FlowerPower” to get your discount when placing your order.

We’re excited to announce a new care package to delight you and your loved one:

Breakfast in Bed

* Aunt Jamima syrup

* Bisquick pancake mix

* Dunkin’ Donuts coffee

* Fruit salad

* 6 big Banana or Poppy Seed Muffins

* Fresh squeezed orange juice

Price: $85 USD

Limited time only extraordinary Extras!!!

Tabasco sauce, Skippy peanut butter, Aunt Jamima syrup, Bisquick pancake mix, marshmallows, Swiss Miss chocolate mix and everyone’s college favorite, Easy Mac.

These items are only available as ‘extras’ when you order a care package.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming offerings including a gluten free package and other discounts! Also, as cold and flu season rears it’s pretty head make sure to order our Get Well Soon package, including delicious homemade chicken soup.

Best gift in Buenos Aires!

Mother's Day is this coming Sunday!

Attention all grateful kids and pseudo-kids: This Sunday May 9th is Mother's Day in the USA
This is a reminder to call your momma on Sunday to say "I love you" but also, this is your chance to show your Buenos Aires home stay Mom how much you care. Visit www.sendloveba.com to order your home stay Mom a bouquet of flowers or a delicious care package full of American -style sweets.

Homesick in Buenos Aires? Here’s what you do...

1. Get out of the house and distract yourself

Homesick days are usually dragged out by staying indoors. Luckily, there is tons to do in Buenos Aires even if you feel alone or haven’t made friends yet. There are a few fool-proof ways to go out and meet people, our favorites are Spanglish language exchange and the BA Pub Crawl. Spanglish is a cool event held almost every night of the week where locals and foreigners come together in a speed-dating style language exchange. The entry is super cheap ***, comes with a drink and you are guaranteed to meet many new people. The Pub Crawl is an amazing mixer if you’re in the mood to get drunk and meet people from all over the world. Again, with events almost every night of the week and a crazy good deal for entry you’ll be sure to have a blast. The Pub Crawl also has a Gay Night Out that is ideal for those looking to meet other gays in the city.

Heres a link to an article with things to do when you’re feelin’ lame:

Clowns and Cultural Centers, what to do when you're bored/sad/lost living in BA.

2. Get some exercise!

Whether you like to run, bike or do acrobatics, Buenos Aires is full of exercising opportunities. And to quote Elle from Legally Blonde, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” Well...the last part might not apply but you get the idea.

For more ideas, check out this LandingPadBA article: How to stay fit in Buenos Aires

3. Skip the call to Mom and Dad

Calling home sometimes makes you feel worse but your parents do, of course, want you to feel better. We suggest sending them a link to www.SendLoveBA.com where they can order you a personalized and delicious care package with all your favorites from back home. Sinking your teeth into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a bagel with cream cheese or a fresh baked chocolate cake might just do the trick! Feeling blue with a cold? Order up a week long supply of homemade chicken soup and you’ll feel better in no time.

Heres the link to send on over: Care Packages In Buenos Aires

How to ‘pasarla bien’ on your Birthday in Buenos Aires

Spending a birthday abroad can be:

Wild: you’re underage back home and legal in Argentina

Lonely: you’ve never spent a cumple away from the family

Boring: you have no idea what to do for the big day

Extravagant: birthday money comes in foreign currency and you spend pesos

Successful: you’ve read this article, have received a birthday care package, spent the day on a boat with friends, had the best dinner and danced all night.

Whether you are stoked to turn 21 or are missing gifts your family, we’re here to help you celebrate and pasarla bien.

Budget Birthdays

Those who are actually earning pesos will have to get creative. While sushi sprees are out of the question, there are many free activities and dining options to take advantage of.

Plan a picnic in the Bosques de Palermo or Tigre

Materials needed:

1. Bed sheet from your apartment (preferably clean but lets be honest...)

2. Sun block and bug spray

3. A cute local with a guitar (optional)

4. A thermos with hot water and mate

5. Sandwiches de miga bought from a bakery (crust less sandwiches with various fillings)

6. $.080 cent train tickets if going to Tigre

Add friends and enjoy!

Find a free cultural event

Spend your birthday doing something you’ve never done before. Buenos Aires has multiple free and almost free events happening everyday. Whether you are into music, dance, history or the outdoors, a little Internet research will lead you to some great options.

Fasionistas: Buenos Aires Moda Fashion Festival, March & September

Opera Enthusiasts: Teatro Colon, March-Dec

Electronic Music Muses: South American Music Conference, March

Film Freaks: BAFICI 10-Day Independent Film Festival, April

If you dig it all: Codigo Pais Festival of Music and Design, April

Tangueros: Tango Festival, 9-Day Tango Extravaganza, mid August

Artsy Fartsies: ArteBA International Art Festival, mid May

Winos: Feria de Vinos y Bodegas, early Sept

Music junkies: Creamfields Techno Music Festival, early November

Jockey Jocks: Gran Premio Nacional Horse Races, mid November

Dancing in the moonlight: Festival de Buenos Aires de Danza Contemporanea, Dec

Specific dates:

May 25^th Revolutionaries: Subte-it to Plaza de Mayo for festivities and national sing-alongs. This being the bicentennial, get ready for live music, special performances and lots of white blue and....white.

July 9^th Independent Spirits: Hit up the cafés along Avenida de Mayo, enjoy hot chocolate with churros followed by a mass at the cathedral is attended by the hot president, and revel in a serious talking-to given by the archbishop of Buenos Aires.

October 10^th Athletes: Buenos Aires Marathon, Adidas – do you?

November 1^st LGBTIA: Gay Pride March, dress to impress ... and shock

Earning dollars / It’s on the ‘rents aka “It’s on us honey...anything you want”

Sailing trip with hottie Captian and Crew

Wondering where the water is in this town? Forget what a cool breeze feels like? Spoil yourself and your friends with a private sailing trip around the Rio de la Plata or out to Uruguay. Choose one special person to share a romantic night under the stars or your 3 best friends for music-blasting champagne-popping day in the water. Check out www.Zheroba.com.ar to organize the best sailing trip for your special day.

What about gifts? I mean...it IS only natural.

We’ve taken care of your Buenos Aires birthday, but what about your family and friends back home who want to help you celebrate? Until now there has been no way to send gifts internationally and have them arrive safely in Buenos Aires. Thank goodness for SendLoveBA.com that invites your peeps back home to order you a care package online, customize it and have it delivered on time and full of fresh deliciousness.

SendLoveBA care packages are a god-send to those who are loving life in BA but miss homemade favorites from home such as brownies, bagels, chocolate chip cookies and of course, birthday cake! With American bakers making these traditional sweets fresh to order, you can celebrate your birthday with the same flavors and aromas as always.

Who knows? The sender may even choose to include extras from the a la carte list including US brand peanut butter, Tabasco sauce, Aunt Jamima, and more! Tell the ‘rents not to waste their money on a UPS package that will arrive 4 months late with stale cookie crumbs and a Happy Birthday card...we make it easy! No shipping costs, no question that it will arrive on time and exactly how you like it.

A Thank You gift for Your Buenos Aires Homestay Family

    A gift from Send Love BA is the best way to say "Thank You" to a great homestay host in Buenos Aires! With sweet customized packages, easy online ordering and personalized attention we ensure that the gift you send to your home stay host will leave them feeling appreciated and missing their foreign "child". 

    At the end of your study abroad program in Buenos Aires you are stressed, sad and rushed to check everything off of your to do list. You still need to buy souvenirs in San Telmo for your Mom and get your brother an Argentine soccer jersey. Your bags are packed and you give one more hug to your homestay mom. It seems like only yesterday that you arrived in Buenos Aires, making awkward introductions and stumbling over your Spanish. You can't believe that 5 months have passed so quickly. The question is, how can you express your gratitude for this family that hosted you?  You could  send something from the back home, but you know it's both costly and risky. You can take them out to dinner, but you know they would never let you pay for the whole fam. Even better? You could order something for them once you are home that is both cost efficient, practical and full of sweetness. You can share with them a bit of your culture. Anyone who has been in Buenos Aires knows that porteños love sweets and what better gift than delicious fresh baked favorites like brownies, cupcakes and banana bread. Remember all the kind things they did for you and send love!