When most people think of Buenos Aires they think of tango, meat, and soccer. After spending almost six months in Buenos Aires I think of drinking mate with the families in the barrio, strikes almost everyday, and café con leche with medialunas.

After having such a good experience using Connect-123 for an internship I did in Cape Town two years ago it was an easy decision to use them again and this time to go to Buenos Aires. Coming to Buenos Aires with Connect-123 has been such a great experience.  From the start they did everything they could to help me find the right placement. With the laid back culture that is Argentina, Connect-123 had their hands full with me, an organized person, who likes to have things planned weeks ahead of time.  Connect-123 was there for me every step of the way until they found me a great internship.

I worked in an organization that offers families who live in substandard or poverty housing the opportunities to work towards solving their own housing problems by working together. When I found out that I would be working for this organization, I was thrilled as it was just what I wanted. The best part of being a volunteer was that I was able to see and live every reality that Argentina has to offer.

Buenos Aires is a modern, metropolitan city; however the Buenos Aires that I fell in love with was the one of the barrio. Families of six living in one room, streets made of dirt, families graciously inviting the architects I work with, who are there to give them free advice on how to better their homes, with open arms and a hot mate. To the rest of the world these people may look like they have nothing but to me they have all the strength and warmth in the world. These are the people who will do anything for their family, to better not only their situation but also to change the world for those around them.

My experience has been everything that I asked for and more. I am grateful for Connect-123 for being there and answering every question I had, and for placing me in the internship that made my time in Buenos Aires the best it could be.