Read more!
Volunteering in Buenos Aires: Don’t PAY for the chance to help!
Buenos Aires is full of free volunteer opportunities. Many of these opportunities are sold to bright-eyed travelers for upwards of $300 USD and many pay up to $1000 USD just to join a program. Some of these programs offer Spanish lessons and advisors as part of the package and say you are also making a ‘donation.’ These things are true but too often the advisor is notably absent and while you are making a donation, you can’t be sure what the money is going towards and you are also paying salaries.
It is clear that these organizations are not out to steal your money (although it would be a great scam) but basically what they do is hook you up with a community center or project going on in the city that needs volunteers. They are middlemen and the savvy Internet researcher can easily find these opportunities without handing over any cash.
I write from personal experience. When I arrived in Buenos Aires 2+ years ago I had no plan, no Spanish language skills and a little money. I moonlighted as the worst translator ever (Sorry to the lady who paid me $40 to translate that wine article...I didn’t even use subjunctive!) and decided I had to find some way to occupy my time- and fast.
Volunteering had always been a hobby so I put my fingers to the keyboard and searched Google for volunteer opportunities in Buenos Aires. I quickly found a link to Centro Conviven, emailed the director and got a response the next day. He invited me to an “interview” at the gas station coffee shop around the corner from the community center, explained to me what activities I could do there and that I could begin the very next day. Since I had done some research and found those expensive umbrella organizations I asked the director how much I’d have to pay. He laughed and now I’m laughing. But you know who was not laughing? All of the volunteers I met at Conviven who were paying $300 USD to do the same volunteer work as me.
They were all part of an organization that promised an advisor who always disappointed, and not much else. They were all pretty P.O’ed when I told them I had arrived on my own. I understand that having a program waiting for you once you arrive in a new country is comforting- but anyone is who is brave enough to come all the way to Buenos Aires can handle a few scary days, do a little research and find a great program.
The moral of the story is that travelers are a strong, courageous, intelligent breed, equipped with the power to find our own opportunities and spend our money wisely.
As for the money paid upfront “going towards to programs” the truth is you never know how the money is spent. When I arrived at Conviven I saw the need for many improvements. I took my USDs and helped buy fans and heaters to keep the classrooms pleasant all year round. When it’s too cold to be outside, the kids know they have a warm place to come and play where they are safe from street violence. When the summer sun gets a little too unbearable they know they can come to Conviven, sit in front of a fan and learn English, do art or just be.
Centro Conviven is just one of the many exciting places to volunteer for free in Buenos Aires. If you have had a positive experience with the middlemen organizations or a specific program please comment about it here!
Read more!
Showing posts with label study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label study. Show all posts
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What are you doing in Buenos Aires?
Read more!
Meet Annie Ofew. She recently graduated from U. Michigan and came to Buenos Aires to learn Spanish and live la vida loca. Annie spends a few months partying in Palermo, taking the obligatory Spanish language classes and doing some sightseeing- looks like she’s done here. The only exception is that she happens to have fallen in love with Buenos Aires- she’s not ready to go. Her inner monologue goes something like this:
Mini floating devil: Annie, you are jobless and homeless in the US, stay in Buenos Aires!
Mini floating angel: Annie, you’re broke. Go home and get a job.
Mini floating devil: Boluda! There are no jobs there!
Mini floating angel: But your parents miss you and your college boyfriend is waiting for you to return!
Mini floating devil: Your parents have secretly moved to a one-bedroom condo in Florida and last night at Rumi you gave your number to seven different guys.
Mini floating angel: But what on Earth will you do all day in Buenos Aires? What kind of life can you lead?
Mini floating devil: Oh angelito, Buenos Aires is built and maintained by people whose first priority is living well and second priority is work and progress. Let the Porteños show our sweet Annie how it’s done.
Porteños have mastered the art of filling their days with sun, fun and social interactions under the clever guise of work, study and their much-needed rest. In contrast to the United States or Europe where work and study is neither sunny nor funny, Buenos Aires provides many opportunities for us foreigners to experience this daily balance of accomplishment and enjoyment.
Note: For Annie Ofew, it is very easy to sit in your house or nearby plaza and do nothing all day. You can do that for about two months before you realize you are broke, have gained 20 lbs and miss your mommy. You will not find the aforementioned balance this way. Refer to the following information and take advantage of what this big city has to offer.
Below are options for Annie Ofew; living in Buenos Aires, not looking for a full-time job or university degree but still wanting to live a reasonably productive life while slowly chipping away at that big bank account of bar mitzvah money back home. These selected options fall into 2 categories; clowns and cultural centers.
Clown
Clown is the local name of the profession of circus-try and represents the opportunity for Annie Ofew to take classes and become skilled in any one of the following areas: acrobatics, street performance, juggling, make-up artistry, costume design and murga.
One of the things that makes Buenos Aires so appealing is that the majority of the young people you meet are either artists, musicians, clowns or some other profession where you don’t have to wake up at 7 am and the only rule is ‘be creative.’ It’s a miracle that these people can live on whatever they earn, but they do, and you can too!
The first step to get involved in clown is to take a class. There are talleres in every neighborhood in Buenos Aires and you can find them online or simply by keeping an eye out for signs. Ads for clown classes are posted all over building walls and bus stop poles around town- don’t be afraid- call that number and go check it out.
Acrobatics! For those hailing from the Maryland/ DC area, this is a Marva-Tots dream!
From sailing through the air on trapezes to climbing and dangling from beautiful ropes, acrobatics is good for your mind and body. These activities help integrate thinking and doing while giving your muscles a good work out.
Street performance includes impromptu acting and general ‘clowning around’ in public. Those in Buenos Aires may have noticed dirty hippies juggling at big intersections and then passing through the cars with a hat to collect tips. These are not bums! These are clown students out on assignment for their class. (Don’t confuse these with the real hippie bums who have wet themselves and want to wash your windshield.)
Make-up artistry and costume design are great ways to get involved in clown while having your parents think you are in the fashion industry. In addition to clown classes, there are also many classes for special effects design. Check out www.studiofx.com.ar for information on how to study special effects with the pros.
Murga, the last but very not least of the clown arena, can be thought of as clown as a team sport. If you have been hearing loud drumming from your window at the same time each week, you have probably been listening to a murga practice. Murga is a form of musical theater involving a chorus of dancers and a group of 3-6 drummers. There are special murga dances (not difficult to learn) that are performed to the beat of the drums. All murgas have their own specific costume, which invariable includes sequins, bright satins, bells, whistles and the kitchen sink. The drumming is very exciting and generally includes a redoblante (snare drum), bombo (a shallow bass drum played horizontally and worn at the waist) and platillos (clash cymbals).
The best part about clown is that everyone at home will think you are ridiculous, but you are the one having all the fun and learning outside the box.
Cultural Centers
Cultural centers connect Porteños to the art, music, education and creative thinking that breathe life and soul into Buenos Aires. Each neighborhood has it’s own centro cultural and most offer history and information concerning the area as well as classes open to the public. Many classes are free or have a very low fee and include activities such as folklore dancing, tango dancing, massage, painting, English language acquisition and miscellaneous lectures.
There are also many cultural centers bearing the name of a famous historical figure such as Centro Cultural Borges located downtown or Espacio Cultural Carlos Gardel located in Chacarita. These centers pay homage to their namesakes in the form of theater and arts classes as well as special performances.
Those living in Recoleta should stop by the Centro Cultural Recoleta located by the Recoleta cemetery. This center always has excellent art exhibits as well as art classes open to the community.
Centro Cultural Ricardo Rojas, located near Abasto, is part of the excellent (and free!) University of Buenos Aires. This center has a huge listing of classes, both cultural and vocational, taught by PhD’s from the UBA. Cultural courses fall under the following categories: fine arts, art and architecture, circo (clown), dance, science and humanities, film, photography, music, theater, design, languages, literature and communication. Vocational courses fall under these categories: education, therapy, psychology, information sciences, communication, foreign languages, administration, small businesses, home repair, design and tourism. The courses cost about $10 - $90 USD per semester. Do more research at www.rojas.uba.ar.
Now, between running off to the circus and taking a course in 20th Century Latin American art, Annie Ofew should be feeling pretty good right about now. These ideas offer a great way to meet local people, pick up new skills and feel great about living in Buenos Aires.
Read more!
Mini floating devil: Annie, you are jobless and homeless in the US, stay in Buenos Aires!
Mini floating angel: Annie, you’re broke. Go home and get a job.
Mini floating devil: Boluda! There are no jobs there!
Mini floating angel: But your parents miss you and your college boyfriend is waiting for you to return!
Mini floating devil: Your parents have secretly moved to a one-bedroom condo in Florida and last night at Rumi you gave your number to seven different guys.
Mini floating angel: But what on Earth will you do all day in Buenos Aires? What kind of life can you lead?
Mini floating devil: Oh angelito, Buenos Aires is built and maintained by people whose first priority is living well and second priority is work and progress. Let the Porteños show our sweet Annie how it’s done.
Porteños have mastered the art of filling their days with sun, fun and social interactions under the clever guise of work, study and their much-needed rest. In contrast to the United States or Europe where work and study is neither sunny nor funny, Buenos Aires provides many opportunities for us foreigners to experience this daily balance of accomplishment and enjoyment.
Note: For Annie Ofew, it is very easy to sit in your house or nearby plaza and do nothing all day. You can do that for about two months before you realize you are broke, have gained 20 lbs and miss your mommy. You will not find the aforementioned balance this way. Refer to the following information and take advantage of what this big city has to offer.
Below are options for Annie Ofew; living in Buenos Aires, not looking for a full-time job or university degree but still wanting to live a reasonably productive life while slowly chipping away at that big bank account of bar mitzvah money back home. These selected options fall into 2 categories; clowns and cultural centers.
Clown
Clown is the local name of the profession of circus-try and represents the opportunity for Annie Ofew to take classes and become skilled in any one of the following areas: acrobatics, street performance, juggling, make-up artistry, costume design and murga.
One of the things that makes Buenos Aires so appealing is that the majority of the young people you meet are either artists, musicians, clowns or some other profession where you don’t have to wake up at 7 am and the only rule is ‘be creative.’ It’s a miracle that these people can live on whatever they earn, but they do, and you can too!
The first step to get involved in clown is to take a class. There are talleres in every neighborhood in Buenos Aires and you can find them online or simply by keeping an eye out for signs. Ads for clown classes are posted all over building walls and bus stop poles around town- don’t be afraid- call that number and go check it out.
Acrobatics! For those hailing from the Maryland/ DC area, this is a Marva-Tots dream!
From sailing through the air on trapezes to climbing and dangling from beautiful ropes, acrobatics is good for your mind and body. These activities help integrate thinking and doing while giving your muscles a good work out.
Street performance includes impromptu acting and general ‘clowning around’ in public. Those in Buenos Aires may have noticed dirty hippies juggling at big intersections and then passing through the cars with a hat to collect tips. These are not bums! These are clown students out on assignment for their class. (Don’t confuse these with the real hippie bums who have wet themselves and want to wash your windshield.)
Make-up artistry and costume design are great ways to get involved in clown while having your parents think you are in the fashion industry. In addition to clown classes, there are also many classes for special effects design. Check out www.studiofx.com.ar for information on how to study special effects with the pros.
Murga, the last but very not least of the clown arena, can be thought of as clown as a team sport. If you have been hearing loud drumming from your window at the same time each week, you have probably been listening to a murga practice. Murga is a form of musical theater involving a chorus of dancers and a group of 3-6 drummers. There are special murga dances (not difficult to learn) that are performed to the beat of the drums. All murgas have their own specific costume, which invariable includes sequins, bright satins, bells, whistles and the kitchen sink. The drumming is very exciting and generally includes a redoblante (snare drum), bombo (a shallow bass drum played horizontally and worn at the waist) and platillos (clash cymbals).
The best part about clown is that everyone at home will think you are ridiculous, but you are the one having all the fun and learning outside the box.
Cultural Centers
Cultural centers connect Porteños to the art, music, education and creative thinking that breathe life and soul into Buenos Aires. Each neighborhood has it’s own centro cultural and most offer history and information concerning the area as well as classes open to the public. Many classes are free or have a very low fee and include activities such as folklore dancing, tango dancing, massage, painting, English language acquisition and miscellaneous lectures.
There are also many cultural centers bearing the name of a famous historical figure such as Centro Cultural Borges located downtown or Espacio Cultural Carlos Gardel located in Chacarita. These centers pay homage to their namesakes in the form of theater and arts classes as well as special performances.
Those living in Recoleta should stop by the Centro Cultural Recoleta located by the Recoleta cemetery. This center always has excellent art exhibits as well as art classes open to the community.
Centro Cultural Ricardo Rojas, located near Abasto, is part of the excellent (and free!) University of Buenos Aires. This center has a huge listing of classes, both cultural and vocational, taught by PhD’s from the UBA. Cultural courses fall under the following categories: fine arts, art and architecture, circo (clown), dance, science and humanities, film, photography, music, theater, design, languages, literature and communication. Vocational courses fall under these categories: education, therapy, psychology, information sciences, communication, foreign languages, administration, small businesses, home repair, design and tourism. The courses cost about $10 - $90 USD per semester. Do more research at www.rojas.uba.ar.
Now, between running off to the circus and taking a course in 20th Century Latin American art, Annie Ofew should be feeling pretty good right about now. These ideas offer a great way to meet local people, pick up new skills and feel great about living in Buenos Aires.
Read more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
