Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Expat Report: Month 3 - Adjusting to Life in Argentina

Three months ago, I made one of the toughest decisions of my life and relocated to Argentina with my spouse. Although we both knew that things would be different, the months that followed since we landed have been a huge learning experience for both of us.  

Adjusting To The Changes 
We now use kilos to weigh fruit, vegetables, cold cuts, meat, and pastries, instead of pounds. We think in pesos when making purchases instead of U.S. dollars. We use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit when determining the weather. We’ve had to adjust to the seasonal changes too. When we arrived in June, we were in the middle of the Argentine winter. Now we are only a week away from the Argentine spring.  
We’ve learned to appreciate the simple things. The stress level in Argentina (at least for an expat) is minimal. Argentinians are very laid back, whether they´re dealing with business or pleasure.

Keeping Busy 
My spouse is in the process of becoming an Argentine resident and the immigration process is grueling, but we will overcome this obstacle eventually. In the meantime, he has been keeping busy in the kitchen doing what he loves best, which includes baking cakes, pastries and many other treats. As for myself, I’ve been keeping busy by offering private English courses to one of my cousins, and to her boss, who's a medical doctor at the "Hospital Nacional De Clinicas," which is a public (free) hospital. 


Long Term Goals 
My goal for the next three months is to land myself a more permanent job. Teaching English is great, but it’s not what I came to do in Argentina. I would also like to apply for an Argie driver’s license. I have my New York License, but it’s irrelevant here if you're an Argentine resident, or citizen. I’d also like to get a better grasp at the Castilian grammar before I attempt to translate my novels. While I'm at it, maybe I can take a break and make some friends here. 

 Wish me luck!

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