Mendoza Trainee Guide

Mendoza Trainee GuideInformation

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

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Index

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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+ BONUS

01

Introduction

ArriviNg iN MENdOzATravelling from 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.

In case it IS included, show your boarding pass at Manuel de Tienda León stands in:

- Ezeiza, arrival hall and international hall (Terminal A);

- Aeroparque, in arrival hall (Terminal A)

In case it IS NOT included, these are options for you to transfer from Ezeiza to Aeroparque:

a) Take a remise to the airport or bus terminal, which will cost you about ARS $195;

b) Use the service provided by Manuel Tienda León, a transport company that has combi vans leaving the airport every 30 minutes. This will cost you approximately ARS $40. http://www.tiendaleon.com.ar

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.

Mendoza Trainee Guide Information

Travelling from Santiago de Chile to Mendoza

If you’re leaving Santiago de Chile by plane, you won’t need a transfer: the flight takes off from the same airport to the one you’ll arrive at from your country.

If you leave Santiago de Chile by bus, you’ll need a transfer to the bus terminal (20 min by taxi; 45 min by bus leaving from the airport).

More info about buses in Chile: www.terminaldebusessantiago.cl

Flying from Santiago de Chile to Mendoza is the easiest and, often, the cheapest option.

IMPORTANT!

-Transport services (taxis, remises, vans, buses) DON’T ACCEPT dollars. You’ll have to change 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!

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Economy

ABOUT THE MONEY

Credit cards: sometimes you’ll be charged extra for using them.

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.

CurrencyCurrency Purchase Sale

Dollar ARS$ 4.47 ARS$ 4.54Euro ARS$ 5.75 ARS$ 6.05Real ARS$ 2.17 ARS$ 2.57

*Currency rates as at June 2012. As dollar price in Argentina is in continual change, we suggest visitingwww.bna.com.ar or www.cambiocash.com.ar

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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


Customs

LiviNg iN MENdOzA

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

The traditional

“Mate”


Transport

MEANS OF TrANSPOrT iN MENdOzA

Public Bus system

The public bus system (buses and trolleys) works with a machine that accepts only and doesn’t give change.

-How to avoid this problem? We’ll give you a RedBus card on your arrival.

-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.arwww.ciudaduniversitaria.gov.ar

Bus Terminal

Av. Acceso Este y Costanera GuaymallénInformation Tel. (+54) 0261 4313001 - 4315000

-Long-distance buses to districts in Mendoza, cities in Argentina and bordering countries.

-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

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Typical destination and estimated trip duration

Buenos Aires 12 hs Córdoba 8 hsSantiago, Chile* 7 hsViña del Mar, Chile* 7 hsSan Rafael 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.

Taxis and Remises

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


Information

iNFO ON AiESEC MENdOzA

OUr LCAIESEC Mendoza was set up in 2008 by a group of students from Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. At present, AIESEC counts on 55 members and has fulfilled more than 30 outgoing and incoming exchanges between 2011 and 2012. Such numbers position Mendoza as the fourth largest commitee in Argentina. We have vast experience in coordinating projects and internships oriented to social development by contributing with well-known NGOs in Mendoza, through NGO management programmes, education-oriented projects and art-oriented workshops. Aditionally, we have recently entered the business market by providing local companies with international human resources, achieving excellent results. We have reached sponsorship agreements with important local firms that have supported us in several events.

In addition, we have established bonds with the most important universities in Mendoza, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional, Universidad de Mendoza, Universidad del Aconcagua, Universidad Juan Agustín Maza, Universidad de Congreso. Altogether, our main challenge is to maintain the high quality of the internships we offer by making our best in every exchange we carry out and by paying close attention to the experience both the trainee and the TN taker get. Such monitoring warrants that people not only trust AIESEC but also recommend it. Up to now, we are proud of our work and by working harder day by day, we are looking forward to placing our LC as a valuable experience purveyor. The several times NGOs have renewed their contracts with us and the great number of trainees that have extended their internships indicate that we are doing well!

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Websiteof AIESECMendoza


Information

LEgAL MATTErS

GCDPs:

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.

Migration Office in Mendoza San Martín N° 1859 Godoy Cruz (Mendoza)4243510 / 4243512 7 am – 2 [email protected]

GIPs:

DON’T FORGET TO CONTACT OUR VP ON LEGAL MATTERS. THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE FOR YOU; HE’LL GIVE YOU ALL THE DETAILS.

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.

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.


Important info

rECiPrOCiTY FEE

Reciprocity fee 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:

Entering Argentina

-Collection will be at Ezeiza airport (EZE) only.

-Payable in pesos, US dollars, credit card, and travelers checks Australia.

Entering Chile

-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)

-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.

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Important Info

CHECKLiST

Checklist!

You shouldn’t forget:

•ID cards other than your passport (driving licence, student card, etc.)

•Policy insurance

•2 copies of ALL papers/ credit or debit cards/ ID cards you’re taking with you

•Visa documents

•Our contact info (phone number and email)

•A flag of your country for our office

•A typical drink or recipe from your country for you to share with us on our cultural nights

•An unblocked mobile phone

Things to send to us BEFORE YOU TRAVEL:

• A copy of your policy insurance; • Emergency contact information;• Airline tickets• Pre-arriving survey FULLY FILLED


Information

CONTACT

more information

www.aiesec.org/mendozahttp://www.facebook.com/aiesec.mendoza

HAvE A NiCE TriP!

Local CommitteeMendoza

Mendoza Trainee GuideInformation

Testimony

BONUS

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.

I worked for an NGO called CIMA (Comunidades Infantiles Mendoánge-les). 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.

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!

“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.”

gustavo WalkerFrom Brasil

Mendoza Trainee Guide

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