Education & Community Development Internships: Intern abroad in Cordoba, Argentina

Accommodation and WiFi

All interns in Cordoba are hosted in various homestay accommodations. These are all located in the downtown area, in middle-class neighborhoods, with convenient access to public transportation routes, and near to a variety of shopping and entertainment districts. Most homestays are situated in high-rise apartments, which is a common feature of urban living in Argentina. They are also located in close proximity to one another.

Interns will be provided with a public transportation pass with a small amount of money preloaded on the card. You will just need to add additional money to cover the cost of ongoing commutes throughout your stay. Most interns use the local bus to commute throughout the internship and you will need to cover the cost for this (approx. US$1.50 per day).

All homestays have fans and WiFi. To keep connected when out and about, you can also opt to purchase a local SIM card with data (you will need to ensure that your phone is unlocked for international use). The local team can assist you with this at the orientation, if need be.

Homestay accommodations may be mixed-gender. In most cases, individuals will be allocated a private bedroom within the homestay apartment. However, the availability of private rooms cannot be guaranteed, as these are subject to availability. Bedding is provided, but it is recommended that you bring your own towel and toiletries.

While homestays may accommodate up to 2 or 3 interns at a time, interns may also find that they are the sole participant at any given homestay depending on the size of the home. Guests must be prepared to share common living spaces, such as shared kitchen, living, dining, and bathroom areas. Requests for any exceptional accommodation arrangements (subject to availability) must be communicated in advance of the internship start date. For those seeking alternative arrangements, accommodation “upgrades” are available (at an additional cost) upon request (subject to availability).

Homestay accommodations provide international interns with an extra layer of support, while also providing a valuable opportunity to become immersed in the Argentine way of life, meeting local people, eating authentic cuisine, practicing Spanish, and engaging in typical customs. Argentinian hosts vary - accommodation hosts are not always standard, traditional families (e.g. mother-father-children). Rather, accommodation hosts may also include single-parent families, young couples, retired couples, Argentinian university students, older women (whose children have already grown up and left home), etc. All interns will be welcome to complete a “homestay family preference form” in advance, so that we can do our absolute utmost to accommodate you in the best possible way.

A weekly budget of US$60 per week should be sufficient for use of public transport, in addition to miscellaneous expenses, such as laundry, bottled water, snacks, etc.

Meals

Internships in Argentina include three meals per day provided by the host family. Homestays typically cook meals for their guests in the traditional ways of the country.

Breakfast may be served sometime between 7-9am. A typical Argentinian breakfast does not normally include food items like cereal, eggs, fruits, bacon, pancakes. Therefore, if you want to have a heavier breakfast, please budget independently to “top up” what you want to eat, according to personal preference.

Dinner is typically served later in the evening, usually between 9pm - 10pm. (Most restaurants are not open to serve dinner before 9pm and usually stay open until 1am or 2am).

You’ll find Argentine meals to be hearty and nutritious, but perhaps different from what you’re used to eating at home. In general Argentineans do not eat a lot of vegetables, cereal and fruits. If there are special snacks you like to have, please budget for them and take care of your own preferences independently.

Please be sure to let us know of any specific dietary requirements that you have in advance (i.e. allergies and intolerances). Be prepared to discuss this with the team in-country as well, and budget to supplement the meals that will be provided to you. Note that gluten free products and alternatives (such as gluten free breads, cereals, cookies, etc) can sometimes be more expensive to source, and you may not find certain brands that you’re used to. Meat is very commonly eaten in Argentina, so if you are a vegetarian or vegan, please feel free to discuss meal recommendations with the local team.

A weekly budget of approximately US$50 should be more than generous for covering extra snacks, treats, and drinks, as a supplement to what’s already going to be included for you. Meal prices for even a cheap restaurant will begin at around US$10.