Cultura Argentina - Empanadas

Empanadas

Está noche cociné empanadas en el hostel y quise saber más sobre el origen de las empanadas. Las empanadas eran del norte de España en la región de Galicia. Ahora, las empanadas son un plato muy popular en muchos lugares en Latino y Sudamerica. Afuera, las empanadas se hacen con una masa. Adentro, las empanadas puede ser rellenas con distintos tipos de comida. En Argentina, las empanadas tradicionales se hacen con carne, cebolla, y huevos.
Otras tipos de empanadas incluyen jamón y queso, pollo, o calabaza, cebolla, y queso. Esta noche, hice tres tipos de empanadas vegetarianas. El primer tipo era tomate, queso y albahaca. El segundo tipo era calabaza, cebolla, queso, y choclo. El último tipo era berenjena con cebolla. Hicimos 110 empanadas para 16 personas. Mañana, voy a cocinar una cosa poco más simple.

Nanditha Badami.

Para saber más acerca de nuestra escuela de español en Bariloche, Patagonia Argentina, puedes entrar aquí.

FAQs

COURSES

How many students will be in class? 

 
The maximum number of students in a group class is 6, but we have an average of 3 students per group. If there are no other students at your level, the daily 4 hours of group classes will be replaced by 2 hours of private classes, without additional charge.

What level should I take?
 

We do not work with fixed group levels. Every week we analyze levels of all the students, to see which students match up to be in the same class. Before you arrive you will have to fill in our placement test, which will give us an initial idea of your level.

What is included in the course?  

The course includes all study materials, three or four after class activities per week, free snacks and coffee and use of our computers and library.  

Do the teachers speak English?

All the teachers speak English, but students are encouraged to communicate only in Spanish during the classes and after-class activities. We also have teachers who speak French, Portuguese and German.

What is the class schedule?

The group classes for both the Intensive Spanish Course and the Super Intensive Spanish Course take place from Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm. Around 10.45am, you will have a break of about 20 minutes. Students taking the Super Intensive Spanish Course will have 2 hours of private classes in the afternoon as well. The schedule for private classes is flexible.

Can I start any day?

Group courses start every Monday. In emergencies and special cases, we can arrange for you to join a group during the week.

Do I get any certificate of accomplished level?

Yes, you will get a certificate of attendance including dates and hours of Spanish lessons taken.

What is the qualification of the teachers and the accreditation of the school?

All our teachers have University Degree in Spanish and specialize in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. They are all native speakers and come from different regions of Argentina, so students can notice the difference between different accents.

La Montana and Spanish in Bariloche are accredited by AAECELE and SEA.

The schools works with and provides teacher training courses.

ARRIVAL:

When do I have to arrive in Bariloche? 


One day before the classes start would be enough, but most of the students arrive a couple of days in advance.

How and when do I pay?

The program fee has to be paid by the first day of class. We accept bank transfers, cash Credit card and PayPal (5% fee applies for the last two). You can pay in $US, Euros, Swiss Francs and Argentinean pesos.

Can you pick me up from the airport? 

 
Yes, we offer airport pick-up service from the international airport of Bariloche. Every day there are many flights from Buenos Aires, and there is bus service from many cities in Argentina and Chile. The airport pick-up is included in the program prices (For courses of two weeks or more). If you give us your flight details, we will be waiting for you at the gate when your flight arrives.

Can you pick me up from the bus terminal?


As the arrival time of the buses can vary significantly, we do not offer bus terminal pick up. The most convenient option for students is to catch a taxi or bus to the center. The bus terminal is just out of town, only a 5 minute drive.

Is the school in the center of Bariloche?
Yes, the school is in the heart of Bariloche, just 2 blocks from the main street.

Las Diferencias culturales entre EEUU y la Argentina.

Soy un estadounidense que está viajando por tres meses en la Argentina para mejorar mi castellano y conocer la cultura de acá. Estoy en la Argentina hace un mes y medio y he visto muchas diferencias culturales entre este país y el mío.

Por un lado no hay barreras grandes entre personas no conocidas. Siempre la gente se esta saludando con un beso, incluso los hombres. Hay que saludar casi a cada persona que se encuentra como si fueran amigos viejos (pero me parece que es más difícil ofender a un Argentino que a un estadounidense, entonces si metes la pata, no pasa nada). También, especialmente en la Capital Federal, no hay mucho espacio en los colectivos porque son muy usados. Por eso, encuentras mucha gente en cada viaje, quieras o no. En mi país es un poco diferente. Normalmente, no es necesario dar la bienvenida a todas las personas que se vea. Casi nunca se besan personas desconocidas (especialmente los hombres no se besan) y (salvo en Nueva York, tal vez) hay mucho mas espacio en los transportes públicos y normalmente se puede sentar (aunque no hay tanto transporte público en mi país).

Por otro lado, los Argentinos no tienen nada de fe en su gobierno. Por supuesto, en EEUU (como en casi todos países) la gente se queja mucho sobre el gobierno y piensa que puede ser mejor. Pero en EEUU es más que la gente le gusta un partido en vez de otro, y sabe (más o menos) cuales cambios que quiere. Acá, en contrario, todas las personas que conocí me dijeron que todas las cosas están empeorando y piensan que el gobierno no puede cambiar nada. Muchas personas me dijeron que no les gusta ninguno de los candidatos para presidente y solamente están votando porque es obligatorio. Aunque la gente quiere un cambio, creo que es más difícil explicar exactamente cual cambios quiere. Parece que la gente se pone un poco nerviosa por la elección que viene y tal vez va a cambiar en poco tiempo.

Finalmente, los horarios en Argentina son muy distintos. En EEUU la gente come más temprano cada comida salvo el desayuno, que casi no existe en Argentina. Por ejemplo, una hora regular para cenar acá es diez de la noche. En EEUU la hora para comer es cerca de las siete y media. También, todos salen más tarde por la noche. Acá, es normal salir de la casa a las tres a un boliche y no regresar hasta el amanecer. En Argentina, a veces la gente trabaja a la mañana siguiente. No sé cuando duermen (tal vez en la siesta). En EEUU, los bares y clubs están cerrados después de las dos de la mañana!

Aunque la cultura es diferente, me gusta mucho. Estoy viajando para conocer otra cultura y tener una experiencia afuera de mi vida normal. Me encanta que existan tantas diferencias para disfrutar.

The Cultural Differences Between the USA and Argentina

I am a student from the USA who is in Argentina to improve my language skills and get to know the culture. I have been in Argentina for a month and a half so far and have seen many differences between the culture of this country and my own.

Initially, there are not very many barriers between people who do not know one another very well. People are always greeting each other with a kiss, including the men. Here, you have to greet every person you encounter as though you were old friends (though it has been my experience that it is very difficult to offend people in Argentina, so it probably won't be a problem if you do not act appropriately). Also, in Buenos Aires there isn't a lot of space on the busses, so you have to meet many people every trip you take, whether you want to or not. It is a little different in my country. People rarely, if ever, kiss each other hello (especially the men) and (save maybe in New York) there is generally a lot of space and you can generally have your own seat (though, really there isn't very much public transportation in the USA).

Additionally, the Argentineans do not appear to have a lot of faith in their government. Of course, in the USA (like almost every country) people generally complain about the government and think that things could be done better. However, in the USA, people generally side with one party over another and they seem to know more or less what changes they would like the government to make. Although the people there appear to want changes in the Argentinean government, it is difficult to explain exactly what changes they would like. It could just be that the people are concerned about the upcoming election and all of this will change shortly.

Finally, the daily schedule in Argentina is very distinct. In the USA, people generally eat earlier for every meal than people do in Argentina, except for breakfast, which basically does not exist in Argentina. For example, a regular time to eat dinner is ten o'clock at night. In the USA the typical time to eat is 7:30 or so. Furthermore, the people here go out later than those in the USA. It is normal to leave the house at three in the morning and not return until dawn. I the USA, the bars and clubs are closed before two at night. And, here, the people work the next day after going out for so long. I have no idea when they sleep.

Although the culture here is different, I like it a lot. I am traveling in order to experience another culture and have a different type of experience from my normal daily life. I love that there are so many differences that I am able to enjoy.