Expert: Cintia - 3/25/2004

Question
Hola Cintia, que tal? I backpacked through Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Argentina last year and fell in love with Buenos Aires. I love cultural cities - the cinema, theatre, food and music are my passions. My idea is to arrange an internship at a media organisation like the Buenos Aires Herald newspaper (english speaking publication). My spanish is basic conversational. I really want to live in Buenos Aires for about six months and I could teach english as well.
How difficult do you think it would be to arrange such a thing? Is it easy for foreigners to find work in Argentina? What is Buenos Aires like to live in? I have only visited as a tourist and living there must be different. Any information or advice you have for me would be very welcome. Thank you very much, Rebecca.

Answer
Dear Rebecca,

Thank you for your email.  I am glad you have fallen in Love with Argentina and feel like coming back.

Regarding the possibility of working here, first of all it is important that you bear in mind that you should apply for a working permit. If you enter Argentina as a tourist and don´t apply for the corresponding permit, that would be against the law. Things are pretty "flexible" here but it is my duty to inform you how things should really be done.

For sure, if you want to work for a company like Buenos Aires Herald, you will be asked to fulfill all the legal requirements.

As for teaching, I am aware that there are many English speaking people who have come as tourists (mainly backpackers) and are now teaching English either at institutes or by giving private classes. If you check on Herald, you will find that there is a big demand for English teachers, but usually a university degree is required.

Also, it is important to point out that the unemployment rate in Argentina is VERY high. The official one is around 16% and the real one surpasses 20%. This means that there are a lot of people in need of a job, and unfortunately in many cases the working conditions are not good because many employers take advantage of this so they pay you little and make you work very hard (because if you complain, there are thousands of people behind you waiting for your job).
I am not trying to discourage you but the truth is that I don´t know how easy or difficult it will be for you to get a job here. Anyhow, I suggest you check all the legal requirements so that you avoid trouble and have more chances of getting a good job.

I wish you the best!

Cintia
Buenos Aires, Argentina