Frequently asked questions - Argentina

Application - Information

When should I apply for a volunteer in Argentina program?

Global Crossroad has offered volunteer in Argentina program (including internship) since 2003. We are able to place volunteers on the 1st or 3rd Monday of any month, year round. We recommend applying at least two months in advance, as there is an ever-increasing volume of applications. If your application must be expedited for quicker placement, please contact our office for more information.

What happens once I submit my documents and application to Global Crossroad?

Once Global Crossroad receives and reviews your completed application, it is then forwarded to our In-Country Coordinator in Argentina who will then finalize a personal assignment as per your qualifications, experience and requests. Your finalized placement details are forwarded to you upon completion.

How long does it take to process my application to volunteer in Argentina?

The application process may take up to 2-4 weeks – occasionally longer given the time of year and influx of applications to your chosen country. However, in the event that an applicant requires quicker placement due to time constraints, we request you contact Global Crossroad's offices prior to submitting an application.

What documents do I need to submit with my application to volunteer in Argentina?

The only initial documentation required is our completed application form, which can be found online (http://www.globalcrossroad.com/apply). We reserve the right to request further information or documentation; however, in most situations information contained in the application is sufficient. Applicants have the option to either submit their application online or download the application from the website and submit the completed form to Global Crossroad's USA-based offices by either mail or fax.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in volunteer in Argentina projects?

The only qualifications are:

• Basic Spanish Fluency (if your Spanish needs polishing, consider enrolling in our Spanish language program in Córdoba)
• An open-mind, a willingness to teach others as well a passion for helping those in need
• Enthusiasm for living abroad, meeting new people and embracing varied cultures
• Be in good mental and physical health

Visa Information

Securing a tourist visa is the volunteer's responsibility and Global Crossroad requires all volunteers to obtain a tourist visa before departing for Argentina.

Please call our office or contact your nearest Argentina embassy to learn more about visa, visa fees and visa extensions. Much information can be learned online by searching out Argentina's embassy or consulate.

Placement Information

Who manages the volunteer in Argentina projects?

Global Crossroad's in-country Coordinator in Argentina is responsible for researching appropriate volunteer projects as per the qualifications, skills and interests of the applicants.

What are the daily schedules while volunteering in Argentina?

Project schedules vary for each project in Argentina. Most projects are from Monday to Friday, for approximately 5-6 hours a day. Most volunteers have the weekends and evenings off to sightsee or explore Argentina on their own.

Where are volunteer opportunities in Argentina located?

Most programs in Argentina will take place outside of the cities in rural areas. Review the details of your project on our website or in your placement documents for the particular city or area to which you will be travelling.

What is the language spoken in Argentina?

The spoken languages of Argentina number at least 40 although Spanish is dominant. Others include native and other immigrant languages.

When are volunteer in Argentina projects available?

Global Crossroad programs are available year round and begin on the 1st or 3rd Monday of every month.

We organize Spanish Language Studies orientation programs twice a month throughout the year and the schedule coincides with our volunteer assignments. We suggest that volunteers participate in this important program, as Spanish is essential to your success as a volunteer.

How long can I volunteer in Argentina?

We normally suggest participants volunteer for a 2-12 weeks timeframe. In general, most countries do not allow those travelling on a tourist visa to stay longer than 12 weeks. If you would like to stay longer, please contact our offices to discuss your options.

Arrival and Departure Information

Who will arrange my flight to Argentina?

International flight coordination and payment of international airfare is a volunteer's responsibility.

At which airport should I arrive to volunteer in Argentina?

Aeropuerto Córdoba is an international airport located in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. Most flights to Cordoba go through the international airport in Bueno Aires, the capital city of Argentina.

If my assignment begins on Monday, when should I arrive in Argentina?

Please arrive the day before your assignment begins. If you wish to arrive earlier, your accommodation and meals will be your responsibility. Please review our assignment or Spanish Language Studies start day details in your personal placement information package we will forward to you.

Will someone pick me from the airport? If so, how will I know who they are and where they are?

You will be greeted up at the airport, but you must send your travel itinerary to our Argentina in-country Coordinator and to us at Global Crossroad's offices before your arrival in Argentina. You will be met by a local staff member or our in-country coordinator. They will be holding a sign with your name, awaiting your arrival outside of the airport.

If you miss our representative due to flight delay or confusion, please call the in-country coordinator number provided in your placement details. This rarely happens, but be prepared by keeping this important information with you as you travel. Make sure you look carefully for your pick-up representative, as it is normally busy outside of the airport.

What should I do if my flight is delayed?

• Try to call our Argentina in-country coordinator from the airport to notify him/her of the possible delayed arrival time.
• Check your placement instructions pertaining to details of hotels that have been recommended for late arrival if your flight will after midnight./

Call/email our Argentina in-country Coordinator once you arrive so that s/he can orchestrate a new pick-up time.

How can I get to my accommodations from the airport, if I did not connect with Global Crossroad's local representative in the airport?

In the event that your arrival time is changed/delayed, requiring you to stay overnight in a hotel (or if you failed to meet Global Crossroad's representative at the airport), you should hire a taxi at the airport. Request the taxi deliver you to the hotel designated in your placement details/pre-departure information. Remember to request a receipt from the driver.

IMPORTANT: Ensure that you have contacted Global Crossroad's in-country coordinator BEFORE boarding a taxi. Participants are advised to contact Global Crossroad's ARGENTINA In-Country Coordinator the next day and let him/her know their whereabouts.

What do I need prior to departure from my home country?

• Please make sure that you pack all your necessary documents: passport, copy of passport and at least one other form of picture ID.
• Please bring your volunteer assignment placement details.
• Prepare financially to cover unforeseen expenses up to $50-100 USD/week for extra expenses and travel to your project each day.
• Prepare your mind and spirit for the experience to which you have committed. Culture shock affects everyone and it may be so strong that you want to quit the week after arrival. Take precautions: read about your county/city, study the culture and language(s) and learn about food and customs.

If I want to arrive earlier than when my assignment begins, where do I stay and who will organize the accommodations?

You can arrive up to a week early for your assignment; however, you are responsible for making and paying for these arrangements (including accommodations and food), and must still meet the in-country coordinator at the airport on the designated date.

When should I depart from Argentina?

We ask that participants depart from Argentina on the Saturday following the completion of their assignment.

From which airport shall I depart?

All Argentina volunteers should depart from Aeropuerto Córdoba.

Who will bring me to the airport for my departure?

GC does not offer airport drop-off services. You will need to arrange a taxi or bus ride to the airport following your assignment's completion. This is a simple process and our Argentina in-country coordinator or your host family will normally be very happy to assist you with the arrangements.

Living Accommodation and Food

Who will arrange my accommodations and what are they?

Global Crossroad's weekly fees include management of volunteers' accommodations throughout projects and travel options. Meals are not included in Argentina, but there are restaurants and markets nearby the homes in which our volunteers stay.

In Argentina, most volunteers stay in our homebase. This concept is a permanent residence set up especially for international volunteers. There are several bedrooms at our homebase and volunteers will normally share a room with a same gender volunteer. There are community rooms and a television. The environment is very relax and social and a great place to unwind after a busy day. The kitchen and bathrooms are shared, and there is running water and "western-style" toilets. The neighborhood is very safe and clean. There are many amenities nearby like internet cafés, grocery stores, restaurants and mass transit stops.

Are singles rooms available?

Occasionally, in most cases you will share a room with a same-gender volunteer. Please note your request and we will do our best to meet your needs.

If I arrive with my friend, or girlfriend/boyfriend, can we stay together?

In many situations yes, but please contact our office regarding your situation, since it may depend upon individual accommodation availability and time-of-year circumstances. Please be reminded that volunteers of different genders are often not permitted to stay in the same room, unless they are a married couple.

Will there be other foreign volunteers/interns at my placement?

Yes, more often than not, but this depends on the exact assignment and accommodation placement. If you want to travel with a companion or group, we allow and encourage this option. You may be placed with different host families, but these residences will generally be located close (within one to two miles) to each other. Please be reminded that volunteers of different genders will normally not be allowed to stay in the same room, unless they are a married couple.

What are the bathroom facilities like?

Bathroom facilities depend up on the location and project. Most of our homebases and host families have running water and western (or modern)-style toilets. However, in a few projects/accommodations there are varying toilet and bathroom situations.

What are the laundry arrangements?

In most cases, laundry will be washed by hand. It is the responsibility of volunteers.

Can I use appliances if I bring them from my home country?

Yes, but you will need an electrical converter. Information for different countries can be found on the internet, for example http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity. Your local small appliance specialty or travel retailer can advise you on plugs and voltage converters.

What are the local cuisines? Who manages my meals?

Global Crossroad does not organize meals for volunteers in Argentina. However, there are many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines and grocery stores nearby our residences.

Is the running tap water safe for drink?

In most developing countries, tap water is not safe to drink. We recommend that you purchase bottled water for your consumption, but make sure that the cap's seal is not broken! You can also request that the homebase offer boiled water for you each day for you to consume.

Are there hot and cold-water facilities available?

Specifics pertaining to availability of hot water will be included in participants' placement details.

Will bottled water be provided?

No, the purchase of bottled water is a volunteer's responsibility.

Health and Safety

How safe is Argentina?

Any international travel requires caution and awareness. We suggest that all volunteers consult their own government advisory office before participating in a Global Crossroad program.

International travel does present risks, especially with the modern-day threat of international terrorism. The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings and advisories in many countries for American travelers. These travel advisories and warnings change frequently as situations in each country transform.

• British Foreign Office Advice ( http://www.fco.gov.uk/)
• American State Department Advice ( http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html)
• Australian Government Advice ( http://www.dfat.gov.au/)
• Canadian Government Advice (http://canada.gc.ca/main_e.html)

What are the principle health risks in Argentina?

We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations www.cdc.gov. You should also consult a travel doctor who will be knowledgeable about current epidemics, health risks and recommended vaccinations.

Is the food safe if I buy it from a street vendor?

No! Argentina is still considered a developing country and you should be cautious. While you are in Argentina, food safety should be a major consideration. You can hardly resist the tempting novelty of street vendors and their food variety, but you should abstain. Our suggestion is to avoid eating on the streets until you get familiar with the general situation. The food will likely taste quite different from anything you have had before. Food safety problems can range from chemicals and contaminants, to bacteria as well as some other diseases. In Argentina, poor food cooking, preparation, and storage, as well as improper cleaning and disinfecting of cooking supplies is very common among street vendors. Therefore, we do not suggest buying food from street vendors.

What are the sanitary conditions in Argentina?

• Be prepared and never expect a clean toilet 100% of the time. Carry some tissue in case you need to use the public toilet.
• In Argentina, toilets generally do not do well when flushing large amounts of items or feminine hygiene products so do not flush them and throw them away in the trash.
• In some areas/restaurants, toilet systems are old, have very narrow plumbing and are easily blocked. In these cases, a small basket is usually placed beside the toilet (for your used toilet paper).

Use hotel lobby toilets; these are everywhere and are tend to be clean. Still, they may not always have toilet paper.

Money

Are ATMs easily available? If yes, which debit and credit cards are accepted?

Credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Master and Visa are accepted at the local large hotels or tourist stores. You also can withdraw cash from most international banks from ATM machines, but $2-4 USD surcharges apply for each transaction.

Ensure that you notify your home bank of your intent to travel to Argentina. This will provide you necessary information and alleviate any confusion at your home bank regarding international transactions (which can result in a cautionary freeze on your account in some cases).

What is the local currency and how do I know the exchange rate?

Argentina's local currency is the Argentina Peso (ARS) (locally known as "Pesos Argentino"). You can find the current exchange rate at currency website like www.xe.com, or by looking in a newspaper like the Wall Street Journal.

Where should I exchange my money?

There are banks in Córdoba and in several other major cities that will allow you to withdraw cash from ATM or credit cards. You may be charged a service fee, depending on your bank. There are many ATMs now in those cities that are open 24 hours a day. Be sure to keep all currency exchange and ATM receipts, as they are required at the airport bank to convert back to your original currency. If you don't have them, they will refuse to convert your currency.

Visa is the most widely accepted credit card, but all major international credit cards, including Diners Club and MasterCard, are accepted in the large establishments, although facilities may be limited outside major cities.

Traveler's checks are a good travel option, but will be very difficult to exchange in small towns and villages. Travelers are advised to have cash on hand. You may exchange currencies at the airport or at a bank.

How much money should I bring with me?

Global Crossroad manages accommodations for our volunteers throughout the assignment; however, we do not provide meals. Volunteers should budget funds for groceries and meals. Additionally, if you plan to take part in activities outside of our organization or buy some souvenirs, you will need to bring extra money.

On a side note, you must also remember the fee for visas, which can range from US $50-100 depending on the length of stay. There may also be an airport tax that you pay upon your departure from Argentina. You will want to determine the amount of extra money you bring based on these factors.

Is it safe to carry cash with me?

Carrying cash is not always safe; therefore, do not carry a large surplus of cash with you. Important Reminder: Retain your receipts whenever you exchange any currency or traveler's checks. You may be asked to show proof of the exchange. Without receipts, you will not be able to exchange your currency back to any other currency upon your departure.

Communication

How do I contact with Global Crossroad's local coordinator?

The contact details of our Argentina in-country Coordinator will be given in final placement sheet. You can contact him by email or telephone; we suggest all volunteers talk with country coordinator before they arrive.

How do I contact my family and friends once I arrive in Argentina?

International Direct Dialing from Argentina is available in cities. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices, hotels and phone booths on the streets. In hotels, local calls are generally charged at a nominal fee. Internet cafes are available in most towns, although they can sometimes be noisy as they are a popular spot for the youth to play online games. You can use any type of communication to call back home.

How can my family members contact me?

Communication options depend on where you are placed. Most placements will have access to a post office, so mail and postcards are an option. If you are in a city placement, there are many places to make international phone calls or access the internet. These details will be provided prior to your departure to Argentina, so you can share communication options with your family and friends before you depart.

Can I bring my telephone from my home country?

Yes, but it may or may not work. You will want to contact your mobile phone provider to make sure that your phone will work while you are in Argentina, but remember that roaming will apply and those charges can be very, very expensive. To avoid them, you may be able to buy a local SIM card to use in your phone. Research and confirm this information before traveling.

Culture & Customs

Is there a special dress code that I should follow while staying in Argentina?

Volunteers should dress conservatively when at their assignments. Jeans and a t-shirt are acceptable. No short-shorts and tank tops please. Remember to consider the regional religious beliefs of Argentina, which may be extremely conservative and revealing clothing is unacceptable - shorts and skirts must be at least knee-length and no one should show their shoulders.

What should I know about religious conduct in Argentina?

Argentina respects different cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs and moral concepts. A majority of the population of Argentina is Christian and, according to Wikipedia, about 76.5% of Argentines are Roman Catholic, You may practice on your own accord, yet remember to be respectful of Argentinean customs and traditions while traveling.

How do I respect the people of Argentina?

Be inclusive and show respect of their culture.

Argentina's culture is rich in customs and traditions. People of Argentina enjoy sharing their customs and traditions with foreigners so feel free to take part with them. You can go with your hosts on outings if they ask you to or invite them along with you to go on an outing. Simply helping your family do household chores will be another bonding experience that you can enjoy.