Argentina Dossier 2012
Transcription
Argentina Dossier 2012
ARGENTINA Argentina offers a wealth of opportunities for the curious traveler. From the stunning Iguaçu Falls in the north, to ‘the city at the end of the world’, Ushuaia, Argentina is blessed with fantastic sightseeing. Substantial immigration from Europe means the country has a unique European flair which is reflected in its architecture, art and way of life, all of which are distinct from the other Latin American countries. Argentina’s population of 38 million is famous for being fashionable, open and welcoming - it’s no wonder people from all over the globe flock to this spectacular country. Córdoba In this dossier you will find information about the four Argentinean schools, in addition to specific details about the programs, activities and accommodation available at each. Schools Buenos Aires Pg.2 http://www.donquijote.org/english/la/buenosaires.asp Córdoba Pg.3 http://www.donquijote.org/english/la/cordoba.asp Mendoza Pg.4 http://www.donquijote.org/english/la/mendoza.asp Bariloche Buenos Aires Pg.5 http://www.donquijote.org/english/la/bariloche.asp Programs Pg.6 Accommodation Pg.7 Transport Pg.7 For more information, please visit our websites, shown above, or contact: [email protected] Mendoza - www.donquijote.org - [email protected] Dossier 2012 1 Buenos Aires A lively, complex and cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires is known as the Paris of the continent and enjoys the reputation of being one of the most influential cities in terms of art trends, and education in South America. The city´s structure is nearly as varied as its culture and heritage and is made up of individual neighbourhoods each with its own character. From the brightly painted houses in La Boca, to San Telmo with its rustic tango bars, and Puerto Madero with its glass skyscrapers, Buenos Aires offers a wealth of attractions. THE SCHOOL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES Opportunities to immerse yourself in Argentinean culture abound in Buenos Aires. And not only are they great fun, but also one of the best ways to aid language acquisition. Below are just a few suggestions: • Handicraft market at San Isidro • Evita’s grave at Cementario de la Recoleta • National Congress • Tren de la Costa - travel along the Rio de la Plata coast • ‘Fiesta Gaucha’ or ‘Asado Argentino’ - enjoy a traditional Argentinean roast meat • Opera concerts at world renowned Teatro Colón • Tango shows • Watch a football match at the famous stadium in the La Boca neighborhood Our partner school in Buenos Aires, is situated in the fantastic Belgrano district, one of the most emblematic areas of Buenos Aires. The school is situated in a well eauipped independent building and is near to a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and bars, as well as just 20 minutes away from the famous bohemian district of San Telmo. It has excellent facilities including multimedia classrooms, a tango room and an equipped kitchen. EXCURSIONS Day trips are easy from Buenos Aires, as there is lots to see and do in the surrounding areas, including: • Colonia, one of the most picturesque and historic sites in Uruguay, Colonia is just a short ferry-ride away a tranquil bicentenary city with a spectacular lagoon If you fancy traveling slightly further a field, you might consider a weekend trip to: • Mar del Plata, a city about 400 KM from Buenos Aires. Sights include the Museo de la Plata, the El Paraiso wildlife park, the Aquarium and Punta Mogotes Beach • Delta del Tigre, take a boat trip on the Tigre River, tour the Nation’s Naval Museum, take a shopping tour around the fruit market or visit the Martín García Island. • Chascomús, - www.donquijote.org - [email protected] Dossier 2012 2 Córdoba Córdoba is located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierra Chicas mountains on the Suquía River, about 700 KM northwest of Buenos Aires. The city has a population of over 1.3 million inhabitants making it Argentina's second largest city. Known as La Docta due to the presence of many students, the active intellectual university life continues to influence and shape the history and the culture of the city. Due to the geographical location of the city, Córdoba makes an excellent base for those who enjoy adventures in the outdoors. There is great hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and kayaking in the beautiful rivers and mountains only 30 minutes away. If outdoor activities do not interest you, there are numerous other attractions, such as the colonial district, Latin America’s second oldest university, the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, plenty of modern art and history museums as well as traditional tango bars, and confiterias (tea rooms). The city is also host to many antique shops, art showrooms, and a huge local craft market, while, if you enjoy lively nightlife you will love dancing until dawn in the city’s pubs and discos. EXCURSIONS Half-Days • Jesus Maria and Colonia Caroya, be dazzled by the Old Jesuit estancia (ranch) and casa, designated as World Heritage Sites • Alta Gracia, with a rich historical heritage, there are many things to see including Tajamar, an artificial lake constructed by the Jesuits and the house where Che Guevara used to live Day Trips • Valle de Punilla, stunning lakes and valleys make this one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Córdoba province • Valle de Traslasierra, offers an extraordinary environment with a mild climate, pure air and clear blue skies situated at the bottom of the impressive Cerro Champaquí, the highest peak in the province Weekend Trips • The North, traditional rural vistas mingle with red sandstone landscapes, streams, the deep green of carob trees, white “quebrachos” and palm groves - beautiful! • Mar Chiquita, proclaimed a Provincial Natural Reserve, this diverse environment is home to a great number and variety of birds, including the pink flamingo. THE SCHOOL Location The new Spanish school in Cordoba is newly renovated, nicely decorated and very comfortable. Moreover, it is located in the city center, just five minutes away from the main square and very close to the central shopping district. Facilities: Services: 8 spacious classrooms • First day welcome lunch and city tour Audio and video room • Weekly calendar with cultural and fun Students meeting room • activities Teachers room Equipped kitchen • Free Internet access — WiFi Ping-pong and football table • Free access to kitchenette Garden with barbecue grill • Free coffee, tea, milk, and refrigerated water. - www.donquijote.org - [email protected] Dossier 2012 3 Mendoza is a small city in the west of Argentina. With about 110,000 inhabitants, it is a frequent stopover for climbers heading up Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere) or for other outdoor activities such as mountaineering, hiking, rafting and horse riding. This picturesque city features five main plazas and wide tree-lined avenues, with many bars and coffee houses. Mendoza Province also hosts one of the largest ski resorts in South America as well as many rivers, valleys, mountains, and world renowned vineyards. Mendoza Visitors’ favourite activities include touring the wineries and national parks, or participating in water sports, such as windsurfing, fishing, water-skiing, or sailing, which can all be enjoyed a few kilometres away from the city. For those hungry for more adventure, rapids descending from the Andes are the perfect spot for white water rafting and kayaking. Transportation is available if you are interested in heading to the Andes. Moreover, Mendoza is well-equipped with good public transport services. EXCURSIONS Half-Days: • Parque San Martin, this national park is famous for its indigenous horticulture and houses a zoo and national science museum. Also visit the soccer stadium built for the World Cup and have a go at hang gliding! • Acuario Municipal de Mendoza, the first in the country, this aquarium houses a wide variety of fish, amphibians and reptiles • Puente del Inca, the Inca Bridge near Mendoza is on the route taken by ancient people traveling from the Andes to the sea. It is a natural formation over the Cuevas River. Nowadays it is possible to visit the ancient thermal baths and to bathe in the hot waters • Reserva Natural Villavicencio, 45 KM from the city and covering 160,000 acres, the Reserva was created to protect biological, historical, cultural and archeological diversity. The Villavicencio hot springs, at 1,800 meters above sea level, are famous for their healing properties Weekend Trips: • The State Park of Aconcagua, a natural wonder, Aconcagua's peak is the highest in the Western Hemisphere • Uspallata Pass to the border with Chile - one of the most spectacular trips to be made from Mendoza • Laguna del Diamante, in the south of Mendoza province lies a mirror of bluish-green water reflecting a magnificent Maipu Volcano THE SCHOOL Location Our school is in a neat renovated house ideally situated to the south of the citycenter, 20 blocks away from the main square. It has easy access to public transportation, and is just 5 blocks from the Aristides Villanueva Avenue, wellknown for its restaurants, night clubs, pubs and international hostels. You will also find the city’s most important monuments, the ‘Parque Cívico’, City Hall and ‘Casa de Gobierno’ very close by. Facilities • 8 spacious classrooms • Meeting room for breaks and free time • Kitchen where coffee and tea are served • Multimedia room with audio and video facilities • Computer room with free Internet access - www.donquijote.org - [email protected] Dossier 2012 4 Bariloche Bariloche is a city in the province of Río Negro, situated in the foothills of the Patagonian Andes and surrounded by lakes and mountains. Known as the little Switzerland of Argentina, the city of Bariloche lies in a valley that enjoys the reputation of having the best and largest ski resorts, including Cerro Capital - one of the most important resorts in South America. Trekking in the mountains, almost completely wild and uninhabited with the exception of a few high-mountain huts, is also a popular activity. The region is also home to indigenous communities which still preserve their unique languages and cultures. Bariloche is in a continental cold weather zone with a dry season. Average temperatures range from 2º C (36º F) in the winter to 16º C (61º F) in the summer. EXCURSIONS Half-Days: • Circuito Chico takes you westward along the shore of the lake and up to the Punto Panorámico, with its breathtaking views over the water toward Chile. It offers multiple activities including walking along paths through the woods, horseback riding, climbing slopes, and beaches Day Trips: • Circuito Grande, on this 250km tour you can see the picturesque Limay River and traverse ancient mountain paths such as the Cardenal Samoré Pass, the Chile Pass and La Villa La Angostura Pass Weekend Trips: • Nahuel Huapi National Park preserves an extensive area of the Andean region of north Patagonia. The park’s main features are glacial lakes and rushing rivers that flow into both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans • Los Alerces National Park is just 45km from Esquel. It has 13 lakes, 7500 mountains, and trees more than 300 years old. The park offers beautiful views of Andean Patagonia which you can enjoy while skiing, trekking, rock climbing or mountain biking at Comarca de los Alerces Location The school is a restored inn, located conveniently close (no more than 400m) to the center of town . You will receive a welcome lunch and a city tour on the first day Facilities • 10 spacious classrooms • Student meeting room and audiovisual room • Free WiFi access • Weekly leisure and cultural activities • Free coffee, tea, milk and chilled water • Beautiful garden and fully equipped kitchen THE SCHOOL - www.donquijote.org - [email protected] Dossier 2012 5 General Information • All classes last 55 minutes • Average of 3 students per class and a Programs Intensive Group maximum of 7 (6 or 8 in Buenos Aires) Made up of 20 group lessons per week these classes aim to develop your communicative competence in Spanish in the four main skills: speaking, reading, listening, and writing. Teachers also expose students to the local culture by complementing the course with extra-curricular activities. • All levels of Spanish are welcome • Starts dates every Monday of the year (specific start dates for beginners in Belgrano, Buenos Aires) • Minimum age of 18 years • All study materials are included • Courses can be combined between different schools This course is designed for students who would Super like to deepen their learning experience and Intensive accomplish a higher level of proficiency in a Group shorter amount of time. It includes 30 group lessons per week. One-ToOne This course is designed to meet your individual needs and is ideal for those planning to take a specific Spanish exam, for those needing Spanish for work, or if you are preparing to go to a Spanish-speaking university. During the course, you will be exposed to a wide variety of topics according to your own interests and pace. This course is available at all levels, from Beginner to Advanced, in packs of 10 lessons per week. For anyone wanting to learn Spanish in a different setting there is also the option of doing Volunteer voluntary work in Argentina. These unpaid placements give students the chance to learn Spanish whilst undertaking meaningful projects in a variety of settings, including community development, education, health care and the environment. N.B. This program is only offered in Buenos Aires and Córdoba. A four-week intensive Spanish course is required to be eligible for this particular program. Spanish & Tango This course is ideal for the tango lover and is made up of 20 regular group Spanish lessons in the mornings plus 8 dance and cultural lessons in the afternoons or evenings. Buenos Aires and Córdoba also offer plenty of shows and real-life opportunities to dance at popular milonga and tango bars. All levels are catered for and a minimum course length of one week is required. The course also includes one conceptual tango lesson and a trip to see a tango show during the first week. N.B. This course is only available in Buenos Aires and Córdoba. N.B. In the exceptional case that there is only 1 student enrolled on a course in the same level group, the number of classes per week will be reduced slightly. NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 2012 January 1, February 21, March 24, April 2, April 6, May 1, May 25, June 20, July 9, August 20, December 8, December 25 ADDITIONAL REGIONAL HOLIDAYS: Buenos Aires: February 22, October 8 Cordoba, Baroliche & Mendoza: February 20, October 15, November 19 N.B. In the event that a national holiday falls on a weekday, there will be no classes. - www.donquijote.org - [email protected] Dossier 2012 6 Accommodation & Transport Homestay in Mendoza HOMESTAY This accommodation offers total immersion into Argentinean culture and the opportunity to experience the typical life of an Argentine family. You may choose between single or shared rooms and the homestays are usually 15-25 minutes away from the school (25-35 minutes in the case of Buenos Aires) and tend to be a house or an apartment. Households are always wellprepared to welcome their guests, and food is provided - you may choose whether you’d like B&B or half-board. Additional services such as changing of sheets and towels once a week are included, while laundry is optional. Please note that in Bariloche, double rooms are only for two students traveling together. HOMESTAY PLUS Our homestay Plus Package guarantees the student a bigger room, food that is better suited to their tastes and accommodation with some extra features, such as a private bathroom, a swimming pool, garden or better location, for example. This option is available only in the Belgrano school of Buenos Aires. Homestay in Bariloche STUDENT RESIDENCE/ SHARED APARTMENT Student Residence, Córdoba This type of accommodation is available in Buenos Aires and Córdoba and one of the main benefits is that they allow plenty of student interaction and are often centrally located. They may be a house or an apartment, depending on availability, and most have more than 6 rooms. There is also the added security of a doorman, who may or may not live on-site. You may choose to stay in an individual room or share a double room with another student. In Córdoba, only double rooms are available in student residences. Breakfast is optional, while other meals can be managed by meal vouchers that are valid in various restaurants. Our residences are open to both sexes and are located throughout the cities. All residences have private or shared bedrooms and all the facilities that students might need such as a common room with television, kitchen and internet access. Classroom, Buenos Aires N.B. No meals are provided on Sundays in any type of accommodation. Common Room, Mendoza School Swimming Pool, Córdoba School TRANSFERS Upon request, a 24-hour transfer service is available for students, with costs depending on the location. This service is compulsory for students arriving at their destination airport between 10pm and 6am. Flight details should be provided one week in advance. - www.donquijote.org - [email protected] Dossier 2012 7