Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
Aiesec Mendoza
WELCOME Welcome to Mendoza and congratulations on being selected to work as a trainee! We are so excited to have you as part of our team, get to know about you and your culture. This handbook is a compilation of information put together by the AIESEC Mendoza ICX team. It will provide you with information about AIESEC Mendoza, the city, daily life in Mendoza, as well as other relevant issues. We are aware that this booklet is not exhaustive, so please, contact the ICX team to ask any question! AIESEC Mendoza will try to support you and ensure you have the best experience possible as you grow both professionally and personally. AIESEC Mendoza provides local support with immigration issues, housing, social events, the buddy system, and city orientation. Upon arrival at Mendoza, we’ll give a welcome party in your honour and assign you a buddy. Along with your buddy and the ICX team, we will ensure the first few days in Mendoza and in the workplace are as smooth as possible. Enjoy your time in Mendoza! We are confident that during your time here, you will grow professionally and have an important impact in our city as well as have a lot of fun, AIESEC style! -
AIESEC Mendoza: ICX team
Welcome to AIESEC Mendoza! The LC is very happy that you chose to do an internship on our behalf. We look forward to guiding you as best as possible so that you have a unique experience. We’ll be waiting for you to show you our province, ‘tierra del sol y del buen vino’; a place where mountains, wine and adventure make a wonderful combination! -
Juan Manuel Verdeslago, AIESEC President
Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
Index
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A B C
General info on Mendoza and Argentina
1. Arriving in Mendoza 2. Currency 3. Mobile phones 4. Living in Mendoza 5/6. Means of transport in Mendoza
Info on AIESEC Mendoza
7. LC Mendoza 8. Legal Matters
Important info you MUST take into account
9. Reciprocity fee 10. Checklist 11. Contact
+ BONUS
Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
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Introduction
Travelling from
Arriving in Mendoza
Buenos Aires to Mendoza International flights will arrive at International Airport Ezeiza (EZE). Getting to Mendoza by plane requires that you take your flight to a domestic airport, Aeroparque (Jorge Newbery). Transfer WILL be included if you hired AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS. It WON’T be included if you hired LAN. Travelling from
Santiago de Chile to Mendoza
In case it IS included, show your boarding pass at Manuel de Tienda If you’re leaving Santiago de Chile by León stands in: plane, you won’t need a transfer: the flight takes off from the same airport - Ezeiza, arrival hall and international to the one you’ll arrive at from your hall (Terminal A); country. - Aeroparque, in arrival hall (Terminal A)
If you leave Santiago de Chile by bus, you’ll need a transfer to the bus In case it IS NOT included, these are terminal (20 min by taxi; 45 min by bus options for you to transfer from Ezeiza leaving from the airport). to Aeroparque:
More info about buses in Chile: a) Take a remise to the airport or bus www.terminaldebusessantiago.cl terminal, which will cost you about ARS $195; Flying from Santiago de Chile to Mendoza is the easiest and, often, the b) Use the service provided by Manuel cheapest option. Tienda León, a transport company that has combi vans leaving the airport IMPORTANT! every 30 minutes. This will cost you approximately ARS $40. -Transport services (taxis, remises, vans, buses) http://www.tiendaleon.com.ar DON’T ACCEPT dollars. You’ll have to change In case you plan to travel to Mendoza by bus, you’ll also have to take a transfer from Ezeiza to the bus terminal in Retiro. To do so, you can either take the remise or hire Manuel Tienda León, as we already said.
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Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
some money to ARS or CLP at airports or bus terminals. - If you happen to have any problems (flight delays, flight cancellations, getting lost, etc.), please contact the VP ICX right away! There are telephone booths and cybercafés in every airport and bus terminal for you to call, email or skype him. Make sure you have our contact info at hand in case you need it. The ICX team will be waiting for you!
A
Economy
ABOUT THE MONEY
Credit cards: sometimes you’ll be
Currency
charged extra for using them.
Currency
Purchase
Sale
Dollar Euro Real
ARS$ 4.47 ARS$ 5.75 ARS$ 2.17
ARS$ 4.54 ARS$ 6.05 ARS$ 2.57
*Currency rates as at June 2012. As dollar price in Argentina is in continual change, we suggest visiting www.bna.com.ar or www.cambiocash.com.ar
ATMs: you can find them all around the
city. It’s the easiest way to get money. Remember to contact your bank to let them know you’ll be withdrawing money from another country. Since you’ll be charged a withdrawal fee, it’s best for you to withdraw a big sum at a time.
Travellers’ checks: you can change them in exchange houses.
Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
02
Communications
MOBILE PHONES
Our recommendation:
bring a mobile phone! -Make sure it is unblocked. - Chip cost: ARS $10 Companies: • Movistar: www.movistar.com.ar • Claro: www.claro.com.ar • Personal: www.personal.com.ar
Top-up cards: you can hire this service. Cards are sold city-wide in kiosks or telephone kiosks for ARS$ 10 - ARS$ 50. The cost for messaging and calling service will depend on the company. Calling to Mendoza: • Landline: 0054 + 0261+ number • Mobile phone: 54 + 9 +261 + number
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Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
Customs
Living in Mendoza
The traditional “Mate”
Food
There’s a wide range of restaurants offering Italian, Chinese, Mexican, vegetarian, etc food.
An Argentinian food?
Definitely, ‘asado’. It’s widely prepared all along Argentina. We grill different kinds of meat: cow, pork, chicken, goat, etc. It’s difficult to explain with words how delicious it is, so you’ll HAVE to try one!
What other food do we eat?
Empanadas (usually of meat), milanesas, pizza, pasta, etc.
Something sweet?
Dulce de leche is the answer! You’ll also HAVE to try it. Argentinian food is unexplainable!
Drinks
Do you know what ‘mate’ is?
A traditional drink, very important in our culture even today. It’s an infusion drunk out of a gourd with a ‘bombilla’. You can have it with or without sugar.
And what about ‘fernet’?
It’s an alcoholic drink served with Coca Cola. It’s the most common drink you’ll find in clubs and bars.
The famous ‘siesta’
Period of time between 1 and 3 pm. Most shops are closed (until 5 pm, actually) and most people are taking a nap. *No shop is opened on Sundays, except for supermarkets and shopping malls, which in addition, do not pay attention to siesta hours on weekdays). Just in case, check whether your workplace respects or not ‘siesta’.
Punctuality?
People in Mendoza are known for being always late, so don’t take it personally if someone keeps you waiting. In the workplace, however, you’re expected to arrive on time
Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
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Transport
MEANS OF TRANSPORT IN MENDOZA
Public Bus system
Bus Terminal
The public bus system (buses and trolleys) works with a machine that accepts only and doesn’t give change.
Av. Acceso Este y Costanera Guaymallén Information Tel. (+54) 0261 4313001 - 4315000
-How to avoid this problem? We’ll give you a RedBus card on your arrival.
-Long-distance buses to districts in Mendoza, cities in Argentina and bordering countries.
-Where to charge my RedBus card? In many kiosks around the city. -Trip costs? ARS $2.10 or $2.70 depending on the distance. -What about bus stops? We’ll show you where to get on and off the bus to travel from your house to your workplace and back home. -Info on buslines? www.colectivosdemendoza.com.ar www.ciudaduniversitaria.gov.ar
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Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
-Day or night departure. -Meals provided -‘Cama’ or ‘semicama’ seats. -To check schedules, prices and destinations; and to book or buy tickets, visit: www.plataforma10.com
▶
Taxis and Remises
◄ Typical destination and estimated trip duration Buenos Aires Córdoba Santiago, Chile* Viña del Mar, Chile* San Rafael
*
12 hs 8 hs 7 hs 7 hs 3 hs
Trips to Chile will require passing through customs, which adds extra time to the trip. The time it takes will vary according to the season (high or low season). Remember to take your passport and fulfill all international travel laws. No fruit, vegetables, weapons without licence, drugs, etc. can be taken through customs.
You can call ahead if you want to take a taxi or you can get one on the street as well. Remises are safer and more reliable but more expensive than taxis. You should call in advance to get one since they look like ordinary cars. Airlines -2 main airlines in Argentina: Aerolíneas Argentinas and LAN. - Mendoza has daily direct flights to Buenos Aires and Santiago, among other destinations. - Check promos, schedules and other destinations online: www.aerolineas.com.ar www.lan.com Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
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Information
Info on AIESEC Mendoza
OUR LC
In addition, we have established bonds with the most important universities in Mendoza, Universidad Nacional de AIESEC Mendoza was set up in 2008 by Cuyo, Universidad Tecnol贸gica Nacional, a group of students from Universidad Universidad de Mendoza, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. At present, AIESEC del Aconcagua, Universidad Juan Agust铆n counts on 55 members and has fulfilled Maza, Universidad de Congreso. more than 30 outgoing and incoming exchanges between 2011 and 2012. Altogether, our main challenge is Such numbers position Mendoza as the to maintain the high quality of the fourth largest commitee in Argentina. internships we offer by making our best in every exchange we carry out We have vast experience in and by paying close attention to the coordinating projects and internships experience both the trainee and the TN oriented to social development by taker get. Such monitoring warrants contributing with well-known NGOs in that people not only trust AIESEC but Mendoza, through NGO management also recommend it. Up to now, we are programmes, education-oriented proud of our work and by working harder projects and art-oriented workshops. day by day, we are looking forward to Aditionally, we have recently entered placing our LC as a valuable experience the business market by providing local purveyor. The several times NGOs have companies with international human renewed their contracts with us and resources, achieving excellent results. the great number of trainees that have extended their internships indicate We have reached sponsorship that we are doing well! agreements with important local firms that have supported us in several events.
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Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
B
Website of AIESEC Mendoza
Information
Legal matters
GIPs:
GCDPs:
DON’T FORGET TO CONTACT OUR VP ON LEGAL MATTERS. THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE FOR YOU; HE’LL GIVE YOU ALL THE DETAILS.
You will get your tourist visa upon arrival in Argentina. This will expire after 90 days. If you plan to stay longer, you may leave and re-enter the country or pay ARS $300 or ARS $100 (if you come from countries belonging to MERCOSUR) at the Argentine immigration office in Mendoza. You should ask for the extension 60 days before the expiry of the visa and you’ll only have to pay the charge once the visa expired.
Both people coming from countries that are part of MERCOSUR and those who aren´t will get a temporary residence visa expiring after 2 years have gone by. Both need to make copies of all documents brought to Argentina: • ID cards; • Certificate of criminal records issued by Argentine Federal Police and corresponding authorities in your country; domicile certificate; • 2 pictures (no copies for these). Fees are payable in Mendoza and as follows: MERCOSUR: ARS $300 + ARS $35 | Other countries: $600. Every documents shall be certified by the Argentine Embassy or by means of Apostilla (Apostille, Convention de La Haye). If documents are written in other language than Spanish, they need to be translated and certified by ‘Colegio de Tradcutores’.
*
Those coming from countries out of MERCOSUR, need to file pre-contract of services and proof of employer’s registration at AFIP.
Migration Office in Mendoza San Martín N° 1859 Godoy Cruz (Mendoza) 4243510 / 4243512 7 am – 2 pm del.mendoza@migraciones.gov.ar
Insurance Your insurance policy should include your name, type of insurance, duration of insurance -which should be longer or equal to the internship duration-. Your insurance should be provided by an international company.
Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
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Important info
Reciprocity Fee
Reciprocity fee
Entering Chile
A reciprocity fee is an entrance fee charged to American, Canadian and Australian citizens when they enter Argentina and Chile. The fee is compulsory and is as follows:
-Collection will be at airports only, and will not be charged for passengers in transit (you will only be charged if you leave the airport)
Entering Argentina -Collection will be at Ezeiza airport (EZE) only. -Payable in pesos, US dollars, credit card, and travelers checks Australia.
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Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
-Payable in pesos, US dollars, and credit card. ATTENTION! Once this fee is paid, it will expire when the passport does. The cost varies according to the country you are from and to the country you are entering to.
C
Important Info
CHECKLIST
Checklist!
•A flag of your country for our office
You shouldn’t forget:
•A typical drink or recipe from your country for you to share with us on our •ID cards other than your passport cultural nights (driving licence, student card, etc.) •An unblocked mobile phone •Policy insurance Things to send to us •2 copies of ALL papers/ credit or debit BEFORE YOU TRAVEL: cards/ ID cards you’re taking with you • A copy of your policy insurance; • Emergency contact information; •Visa documents • Airline tickets •Our contact info (phone number and • Pre-arriving survey FULLY FILLED email)
Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
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Information
contact
Local Committee Mendoza
more information www.aiesec.org/mendoza http://www.facebook.com/aiesec.mendoza
HAVE A NICE TRIP!
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Mendoza Trainee Guide Information
Testimony
BONUS
Gustavo Walker From Brasil
W
hen I arrived at the airport, there were at least 10 guys carrying welcoming posters and from that very moment, I knew I would have an excellent experience. I worked for an NGO called CIMA (Comunidades Infantiles Mendoángeles). It deals with nutrition of children who live in impoverished communities. I learnt quite a lot working there. I was in charge of marketing and fundraising, also with issues I have no idea about or had little academic knowledge of. However, carrying out social work is a unique experience because, apart from learning while you work, you have the chance to make an impact, to make the difference. My exchange provided me with much more than work. I made lots of friends, some of which are closer to me than childhood friends of mine and I know they will still be my friends although I’m away now. I also travelled pretty much and had wonderful experiences, for example when I spent Christmas in Santiago, Chile. There is an endless list of things I will never forget: places, people, food, music and more.
“When I arrived at the airport, there were at least 10 guys carrying welcoming posters and from that very moment, I knew I would have an excellent experience.” The best thing of making an exchange it’s not what you can add to your CV. Actually, the best thing is how you change. Today, I see things differently from how I perceived them before going to Mendoza and now I have other objectives in mind. That’s why I recommend making an exchange if you have the possibility to do so. I’m pretty sure that it will be unforgettable and very enlightening. Don’t be afraid of changing your plans, your view of the world, of getting out of the “comfort zone”. Making an exchange leads you to know things from oneself and no other experience will do the same to you. Enjoy it! Mendoza Trainee Guide Information