Teaching - ARGENTINA Volunteer Stories

Teaching in Argentina - Valeria Mariani

Coincidentally, just before embarking upon my gap year, someone asked me what one of the most amazing things I'd done in my life was. To which, after a lot of thought, I didn't really have a reply to. If I was asked that same question now, I would know exactly what to answer without even having to think about it. My experience in Argentina is something that I will treasure for ever. I think I've already bored my friends to death with stories of "When I was living in Argentina."

I arrived in Unquillo after a long and tiring flight, not quite knowing what to expect but excited that I would be spending the next couple of months living there. I was happy to have found such a warm and hospitable family who welcomed me with open arms. I think it's safe to say that I have never met such friendly and happy people as I did during my time in Argentina. The fact that it was a new Projects Abroad destination made it a very special experience for those involved, as we were the first group of volunteers in the country. This meant we were a novelty in the town we were living in. Everyone was extremely curious, firing questions at us whenever they got the chance. We also bonded really well as a group because there weren't too many of us. Life is so relaxed and easy-going over there. it was a nice change from London.

I didn't even have time to be nervous on the first day of my teaching placement at the school. I rocked up thinking it would be a fairly relaxing day shadowing one of the teachers, but I was immediately put in front of a class of fourteen year olds and asked to cover their lesson as the Italian teacher was ill. Against all odds, the lesson went well and I managed to get all the kids talking. I think they all really enjoyed being able to put to use this language they'd been learning for the past three years. With the exception of the first day, I was always assisted by the Italian teacher, and it was really great fun. Some of my best and funniest moments were at the school, and I cannot think of a better placement for me. The children are so eager to learn, and especially loved it when I showed them pictures of Italy, England and my friends and family. It was really fun to be allowed inside the staff room. even though I always felt like I was on the wrong side of the door!

One of the things the majority of us found hardest to adjust to was the gastronomical side of the experience. I don't think I've ever eaten so much meat in my life. We were fed it at lunch and dinner every single day. Once I was even offered some salami for breakfast, which I kindly declined saying I felt ill. Asados are a great experience that you can only truly get involved in if you're living with Argentineans. They are a sort of weekly barbecue where the family gets together (often with family friends as well) and enjoys a variety of different meats whilst discussing the week's events. The Argentineans find the concept of vegetarianism extremely hard to grasp!

Football matches were an exciting experience. There is a massive rivalry between the two main teams in Cordoba; Talleres and Belgrano, and we of course went to see quite a few matches, kitted out with shirts, flags, hats and scarves, accompanied by a group of our Argentinean friends. We were there during the World Cup, and matches were watched at school on giant screens when Argentina was playing, or at friends' houses. I've never witnessed such patriotism as those weeks during the World Cup. we ended up supporting Argentina over our own countries. It was great to be there during such an exciting and dynamic time.

On weekends, some of the volunteers would go and explore the regions surrounding Cordoba. Argentina is such an incredible and diverse country. You can find yourself on the beach at Mar del Plata one day, and skiing in the Andes the next. In May, we decided to trek all the way up to the Iguazu Falls as we had a long weekend. We soon discovered that the Argentineans love their national holidays! We arrived after a 21 hour bus journey, and after having spent an entire day in the bus terminal due to problems with our luggage, we finally went to see the waterfalls. They were one of the most incredible and awe-inspiring things I'd ever seen and it was an amazing trip. When we finally got home however, I realised I'd missed my 'family,' and I remembered a beautiful quote by George Eliot, "What novelty is worth that sweet monotony where everything is known and loved because it is known?"


Valeria Mariani

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