My beloved Buenos Aires

Why did you choose to go to Buenos Aires, Argentina?

To be honest, it was because it wasn't a well known scholarship when I asked for it and although I didn't meet the requirements, it was easy enough to be granted with it as nobody dares to move 10, 000 km away from home.

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How long does this grant last? How much money do you recieve as aid?

The grant lasts for 4 months and you receive 3, 000 euros in one single instalment, around 1 week after arriving at the home university.

How is student life in Buenos Aires?

Buenos Aires can't be compared to any European city. Of course, there is an atmosphere but it is nothing like an Erasmus. Dedicate yourself to travelling and growing. You will meet people from all over South America, you can go out 7 days a week, live incredible things but first, learn to fend for yourself.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Buenos Aires to other students?

The city is great. I have seen so much cultural offering in just a few places: theatres, cinemas, workshops and concerts.... every day and at all hours. It isn't an especially dangerous city if you avoid the so called 'villas' (shanty-towns) but nor that doesn't mean you should be careless. They see us in the league of tourists.

You can't see Buenos Aires in a few days. You'll get to know Buenos Airs when you're been there for a few months. The University of Salvador is spread out through the city. There isn't a campus. The buildings are old with many students and insufficient facilities but the teaching quality is optimal, that's for sure. The teachers are really good. They know how to obtain classes with participation and they evaluate you more for your attitude than for your grades. The 'Argentinian gift of the gab' must come from somewhere.

How is the country's food?

Meat. Buenos Aires isn't for vegetarians. The 'asados' or barbeques in English are almost a ritual, as is the Mate (a drink). Dulce de leche, alfajores (caramel cookies)... Of course, you won't go hungry.

'Mate'

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How did you find accommodation?

This is an important point. After my own experience and those of many foreigners who came here, without a shadow of a doubt, the best option is the following: Hostel. It's a kind of youth hostel. They have loads all over the city. It's best to reserve a bed a few days before arrival. The majority include transport from the airport (the international is an hour and a half away from the Buenos Aires city centre). Here, you will meet people who are also looking for apartments, who will end up becoming your group of friends, as well as your travel companions.

There are many people who opt to stay in the hostel to live, as I did and it's the best decision I have made in years. The experiences I had living with so many different people wouldn't have had me locked up in a flat. They give you a special price for a fixed term and it's much better value than a flat that for sure, you won't find in the city centre.

How are the prices of accommodation? And the prices in general?

A euro is almost 6 Argentinian pesos. I recommend you to bring euros and covert them in Airport National Argentinian Bank. It's the best exchange rate I found. Then it depends on the bank that you have. You can take money out directly in pesos from the ATM. My hostel costed me 760 pesos a month, around 125 euros. The prices are really cheap compared to Europe and Spain. You can live perfectly well with the 3, 000 euros from the grant.

How is the language? Did you go to any courses in the University?

They give Spanish classes to foreigners at the University. However, I honestly believe that they should include an 'Argentinian course for foreign Spanish speakers'. The 'dialect' can lead to many comical situations. You have to learn to use new words instead of others, you'll end up changing even the tone (forget the word 'coger' (to take). From now on, you say 'agarrar'... ).

What is the most affordable way of getting to Buenos Aires from your city?

From Spain, it's from Madrid and I suppose from Barcelona too. There is a 12 hour direct flight with Ryanair (I suppose that all of this will have already changed) and another with British Airways, with a layover in London and stop in Sao Paulo (Brasil). Obviously the most affordable option is the one with the layover, but if you conform to the time change it's more than a day of travelling.

Which places would you recommend to go out and party in Buenos Aires?

You can't go without having been in a real Milonga - none of the expensive spectacles for tourists. Find a Milonga, where the Porteños (people from Buenos Aires) go to drink and dance tango. These establishments normally open at 11PM and at around 8PM, they give tango classes (to pay for, obviously) so that when the time comes, you really know how to move. One of my favourite neighbourhoods is San Telmo. If you know Paris, you can compare it to Montmatre. There are fairs on Sunday afternoons, which means street markets and people playing music all over the place. You can't miss it.

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And to eat in Buenos Aires? Can you name your favourite places?

Delivery. There are as many as there are taxis. They are restaurants which deliver to your house. They don't charge you extra to deliver it to your home, they take less than half an hour, the prices are super low and the food is really good. For 12 pesos (less than 3 euros), you have an escalope or a steak the size of your head, which can serve you almost for dinner. The empanadas (pastries) are also very popular. They aren't like they are here (in Spain). You have to try them. There are all the flavours you can imagine and in fact, there are restaurants selling exclusively empanadas. You wonder if it's really worth going to the supermarket and cooking.

Empanada

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And as a cultural visit?

Travelling. Don't try and see the whole of South America because you would need years. I recommend that you focus on the country that you're living in because you already have everything there. What I did personally was stay another month to do precisely this - travel. I grabbed my backpack and travelled around Argentina. I started with the North... the Iguazu Falls shared with Brazil in the middle of the jungle. Monkeys, a tropical climate, toucans...

The Iguazu Falls

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I followed this with the North West - sharing a border with Bolivia and pure desert. Llamas, cacti, mountains, dunes....

The centre: Mendoza, the land of wine, a posh city.

Pagatonia:

• The South West: Bariloche, snow, the Heidi mountains. Seriously, the Andes are around here bordering Chile. Santiago is less than 2 hours away. Goats.
• South South: Ushuaia - The call it the city of the end of the world and it's true that it's the last populated city before reaching the South Pole. So imagine the warmth there is around here. Penguins, seals, sea lions...
• South East: The Peninsula Valdes, whales!

You can get around by bus. They are long distances, averaging at a 20 hour bus journey per trip, but it's worth it. From Buenos Aires itself, you can go over to Uruguay; around 3 hours by boat leaving and returning on the same day. It's quite cheap.

Any advice that you want to give to any future students of Buenos Aires?

This is a journey for you to grow and mature as an individual. Don't just look to party and get drunk and do not squander it.