Moving to Buenos Aires: 3 pieces of advice

“The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on” (Oscar Wilde).  Around four months ago I departed the frost biting terrain in England for the warmer waters of Argentina.  In all honesty I was very unprepared.  I couldn’t speak a word of Spanish, I had never travelled alone and I could barely point out Argentina on a world map (I know that is a shameful thing to admit).  I can now tell you that I can point out Argentina on a world map, travelling alone is a lot of fun as you’re never really alone, and my Spanish has certainly improved.  Leaving behind your motherland is always a bit daunting so I’d like to share with you three bits of advice that I wish I had been given before I set off on my travels.

• Take a Spanish course.  This is the perfect way to settle in, enjoy your time here as much as possible and appreciate the city and its people in all their glory. Being able to communicate in the native language is pretty much vital to your day to day activities, not to mention getting around the city, and even more importantly being able to eat!  The Spanish course doesn’t have to be long or incredibly intense but enough to learn the basics to get you from A to B, it will be invaluable to your time here and beyond.  Not only will it help you get to grips with Porteño culture it enables you to meet people from all over the world.  Check out some courses on the Elebaires website https://www.elebaires.com

• Live like a local. It can sometimes be overwhelming arriving in a new city but in my opinion the best way to get to grips is to grab the bull by the horns and put yourself out there.  I would recommend doing a home stay which gives you the opportunity to live with an Argentine family.  Not only is this a fabulous way to keep improving your Spanish but it is also a great way to learn about the culture and the city itself.  For my first three weeks in Buenos Aires I lived with an Argentine lady who showed me the ropes: where to go out to eat, the best places to visit and the most popular bars in town, as well as the hidden gems.  Living with a local is an experience I would recommend to anyone and everyone!

• Be a yes man/ woman. Take a leaf out of Jim Carey’s book and just say “Yes”.  The best way to experience new things is to say yes.  Would you like to go to an Asado?  Querés tomar mate?  Do you want to go to Uruguay?  I am sure you have all heard your parents say that slightly annoying phrase “you won’t know if you like it unless you try it”, but it’s completely true.  I am not telling you to say yes to something totally ‘loco’ but if you get the opportunity to try something new don’t turn it down.  Being a ‘yes man/woman’ will ensure you encounter exciting foods, beautiful places and different cultures that you can’t be exposed to from the comfort of an armchair!

I can only hope that Oscar Wilde would consider these pieces of advice worthy of passing on.  In summary and my final snippet of advice: take the leap and head out to Buenos Aires, it won’t be something you regret that I am sure of!