Gina during her internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Type of internship

Internship

What did you think of the city?

FANTASTIC!!! Really, if you get the chance, go there! Buenos Aires has become one of my favorite cities in the world. I’m sure I’ll be back here soon. There is always something to do, the people are incredibly kind, and there is a large expat community, so making friends is easy. Especially if you enjoy going out, this is the place to be. There are countless fun clubs, (secret) restaurants, lunch spots, and bars. BA is different from all other cities. On one hand, it's very South American; dinner isn't until after 10 p.m., and buses don’t follow a timetable, so you just wait at the stop. On the other hand, it’s quite western with many European influences, especially seen in the beautiful architecture. You’ll never get bored in this city!! Unfortunately, my time here is almost over. I could definitely stay here for a few more months and would do it without hesitation.

What did you think of the internship?

It was very educational and, above all, really, really fun. The company I’m interning at feels like a family, and a lot of emphasis is placed on spending time together with colleagues and doing activities together. My Spanish improved quickly because of this. My input was always valued, and I feel like I was able to make myself useful in a short time. I went to the internship every day with a lot of joy for 3 months.

What is the most special thing you've experienced?

Right now, the World Cup is still ongoing, and it's amazing to watch it here! I live with many people from different countries, so there's a lot to cheer for. But especially the matches of Argentina are special. There are large screens in the park where the matches are shown, and everyone goes crazy! There are also many restaurants and bars with "puertas cerradas" (closed doors). These are secret, you need to know exactly where they are to find them, and often you need a password. So, every time is a special experience.

Do you have tips for students?

Learn Spanish beforehand! Some people speak English, but life here is really in Spanish. You can also take lessons in BA (which I highly recommend), but it's important to have a basic level of Spanish when you arrive. It makes everything much more enjoyable.

The economy in Argentina is quite unstable, and the peso isn't really a stable currency. Bring as many dollars as you can, because you can exchange them at a much better rate. It might sound strange, but it's completely normal here. Just make sure to find a safe place to exchange your money, and you can always ask your internship company for advice.

What rating would you give your experience?

10