A Guide to Working in Argentina
Argentina is a South American country being bordered by Chile to the West and South, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north and Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast. The country is officially known as the Argentine Republic and is comprised of 23 provinces and the autonomous city of Buenos Aires, the nation’s capital. Argentina is a recognised regional and middle power and is the third largest economy in Latin America. It has the fifth highest nominal GDP per capita.
On the country’s western fringe are the Andes mountains and the South Atlantic is located to the south and east. In the centre of the country lies the Pampas an area of fertile lowlands, to the south of that is the Patagonia, a vast plateau to the South.
The generally temperate climate ranges from subtropical in the north to sub polar in the far south. The north is characterized by very hot, humid summers with mild drier winters, and is subject to periodic droughts. Central Argentina has a temperate climate, with hot summers with thunderstorms, and cool winters; and higher moisture at the east. The southern regions have warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous zones.
Best Places to Work in Argentina
You are more likely to find work in the larger towns and cities including:
- Buenos Aires
- Córdoba
- Rosario
- Mendoza
- San Miguel de Tucumán
- La Plata
- Mar del Plata
- Salta
- Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz
- San Juan
Popular Industries to Work in Argentina
- Advertising
- Au Pair
- Creative Arts/Media
- Ecology/Conservation
- Education
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Hotels
- Hospitality
- IT
- Marketing/PR
- NGO/Non-Profit
- Sales
- Teaching
- Telecommunications
- Tourism/Travel
Jobs for Backpackers in Argentina
One option which is popular with backpackers and travellers in Argentina is to work in exchange for food and accommodation. Lots of hostals and hotels offer these types of jobs throughout Argentina. Most posiitons are unpaid but usually you wil get free board and food whilst some places offer a stipend salary and other free benefits. You might like to read this article about working at the Rivera Hostal in Cordoba.
Acclimatising Tips When Working in Argentina
While working in Argentina, there are so many potential priorities vying for your time and attention. From the need to get to grips with the language to the necessity of learning the layout of your local area, there are so many things clamouring for your attention from the moment you move in.
However, it is essential to ensure that you don’t get sucked in to thinking that acclimatisation is all work and no play. While it’s obviously important to get into the mind-set of your new job and surroundings as quickly as possible, taking the time to discover activities that are fun as well as relevant can be equally as important.
It’s natural to find working in a foreign country a stressful and complicated process that taxes you both physically and emotionally. Even if you don’t have a new language to familiarise yourself with, the people, customs, local geography and pace of life can all add up to make things seem a little bewildering at times. This is why it’s vital to get out there and do something that is fun as well as educational and helpful in letting you understand the local culture.
For example, in Argentina then one ideal method of combining culture with recreation would be to experiment with some tango. This sultry, vibrant form of dance is a national treasure and as such it is considered a cornerstone of Argentinian culture. Not only will learning the dance help you understand a little better what makes the Argentinians tick, but it’s also an incredibly energizing experience and a lot of fun to boot.
Taking fun classes in your local area and learning dances like Argentine tango is also a great way to meet people and engage in an activity where there is no language barrier, only the rhythmic language of quick stepping feet and twirling bodies!
One of the great things about getting involved in national pastimes is that it gives you something fun to do that is also an excellent talking point. This can be essential in helping you make a good impression at work and in social contexts where you can tap into the psyche of local people and strike a rapport with them.
Activities that are deeply imprinted in the national psyche often appeal to people of all ages and stages in life. Argentine tango classes are no exception as they are designed to be as inclusive as possible to appeal to anyone regardless of their physical fitness level.
So if you decide to work in Argentina, always make time to have fun. This can be as immersive as any number of language classes or workshops. Getting to see the locals doing what they love and joining in with them is a sure-fire way to ingratiate yourself with them and keep yourself grounded at the same time.
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