“Mar del Plata Experience” Program

Located 400 km south of Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata is one of the most beautiful cities on the Atlantic Coast. Famous for its landscapes and beaches, it represents an important attraction to thousands of tourists every year. Mar del Plata is a place where people, specially young adults, can choose from a very wide variety of options and activities due to its all- year- round life.
During the summer, Mar del Plata offers many different activities for all ages such as surfing, diving and wind-surfing, as well as sun tanning in any of its amazing beaches. It is also very well known for its nightlife, where people can choose from night clubs, sports bars, lounges, comedy shows, theaters and much more. Mar del Plata has everything people need, entertainment, fun and rest.
Because of its stretegic location, Mar del Plata has its own International Airport, Bus Station and Train Station that make it easier for tourists to travel and visit some of the cities along the Atlantic Coast and the country. For instance, it is possible to travel to the South and visit the Glaciers, or to the North and get to know the Iguazú Falls. So, as it can be seen, the possibilities are endless and “Work and Hols” offers constant support and advice in every aspect of this amazing experience.

About the Program
Through this Program you will have the chance to explore the argentinian lifestyle, improve your social skills and your Spanish, meet new people and enhance your work experience.

The Program includes:

Before and during your stay, Work and Hols offers:

PRICE: 500 U$U (without accommodation or language course)
Program Lenght: undetermined. Can be adjusted to each student.

SPANISH COURSES

The program is designed to immerse students in a Spanish intensive learning experience and to offer them a real life exposure to the language within its cultural context. The rationale behind this course is to provide an effective encounter with the Spanish language, by means of a sound instruction, social interaction and hands-on experiences. It’s more than just Spanish lessons and more than just traveling... We challenge you to an adventure!

1. Placement test

There will be an initial test taken on the first day of classes to place the students at the right level of proficiency.

1. Duration  

Our Spanish courses begin every Monday, all year round. If you arrive any other day of the week and there is no group class available, you may begin taking individual classes and join a group later on. The minimum period of a group course is one week. However, we recommend that you take the course for at least two weeks to be able to appreciate your improvements. The average length of the courses is four to six weeks.

1. Schedule

Classes are in the morning from 8:30 to 12:30.
Monday through Thursday: Spanish Instruction.
Friday: Culture & Language Workshop (local traditions –cuisine, sports, politics, etc.). 
Friday is devoted to supplemental workshops that will enhance what has been learnt in the classroom. The students will have opportunities to get an insight on Argentinean traditions and culture through thematic clinics. Some of them are Local Cuisine, Sports, Lifestyle, Politics, and Media.

1. Levels

Every two weeks, the student will be awarded a one-level advancement (and corresponding certificate), unless enrolled in intensive training courses. 
The levels of Spanish Instruction are as follows:

Initial 1-2-3
Intermediate 1-2-3
Advanced 1-2-3
 
Intensive courses advance one level per week.
One-to-one courses advance levels depending on the amount of hours completed per week.

1. Class size

The courses are structured so that there can be no more than five students per class. This helps accelerating the learning process and allows the teachers to have the right amount of time to monitor and assist every student.

1. Materials     

Materials such as books, workbooks, audio, video, magazines and newspapers are included in the tuition.

1. The teachers

Our teachers are experienced native speakers, academically prepared to approach each student’s case according to their previous knowledge of the language, interests, skills and goals.

1. Prices

The registration fee (U$D 35) plus a 10% of the total tuition, are due a minimum of 15 days in advance to the arrival date.

1. Courses & details (per week)

Standard Spanish Course: 16 hs Spanish class + 4 hs cultural workshop + class material
Intensive Spanish Course: 16 hs Spanish class + 4 hs cultural workshop + 10 hs one to one lessons + class material
One to one lessons: individual lessons with the teacher

ACCOMMODATION
Work and Hols provides different options for the participants to choose from:

1. Hostels

Hostel del Mar: Located in downtown and close to the sea coast, this Hostel allows the participants to walk around the city, rent a bike and ride it through the coast or go surfing every afternoon. At night if you want to go out for a drink or a nice meal, there is a wide variety of Bars and Restaurants near Hostel del Mar.

Amenities
Hot water 24 hours.
Personal and safe lockers inside the bedrooms.
Towel service available in both doble and single rooms.
Living room with TV LCD and DVD.
Full equipped kitchen.
Free store for wetsuits and surf boards.
A market and an ATM just a few steps of the Hostel.

Services included
Check in 24 hours.
Touristic assistance, maps and information.
Social Schedule and events such as meals, barbecues or “asados”, shows and more.
Linens and breakfast.
Housekeeping.
Personal and safe lockers inside the bedrooms.
Free WIFI and desktop computers for participants to use.
“Hamaca Morada Bar” inside the Hostel.
All kinds of games
DVD’s

Services not included
Parking.
Laundry service.
Surf classes.

PRICES
August- September- October 2011
200 U$U a month.

November- December 2011
250 U$U a month.

January- February- March 2012
370 U$U a month.

April through November 2012
200 U$U a month.

Based on one bedroom for 6 people with one bathroom, including linens and breakfast.
Singles, dobles and bedrooms for 4 people are subject to availability.

1. Costs are subject to change.

Casagrande Hostel: This Hostel functions as Students Housing and Lodging from March 1st till December 1st. It is located in downtown and at 400 mts from the beach. Casagrande Hostel was not only thought of as comfort and relax, but also as a place to promote the  mixture of different cultures and ways of life.
Amenities
Full  equipped kitchen.
Play room with TV and DVD (connected to the dormitories from March to December).
Balcony with barbecue.
Solarium
Laundry room (availabre from March to November).
Central heating.
24- hour- free entrance and exit monitored with safety keyboard system.

Services included
24- hour- FREE internet connection and WIFI in common room (connected to the dormitories from March to December)
Phone that operates with long distance cards available for students to use.
24- hour- check in
Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
 

PRICES
Single room with private bathroom: U$S 230 a month.
Single room with shared bathroom: U$S 210 a month.
Double room with private bathroom: U$S 160 a month.
Double room with shared bathroom: U$S  150 a month.
Triple room with shared bathroom: U$S 130 a month.

Prices per person, between months March and December  2011 and for a 9- month- stay. Prices may vary for shorter terms according to the following standars:
15-days-stay: %30 + per month.
30-day-stay: %20 + per month .
Between 1 month and 6 month-stay: %15 + per month.

Summer prices may vary and are subject to availability.

1. All costs are subject to change.

Other types of accommodation available:

1. Family homes: subject to availability. Limited.
2. Apartments: subject to availability.
3. Hotels: subject to availability

JOBS
The participants would work in part-time jobs in Bars, Restaurants and Hotels, and may receive or not a small salary that would help them support the costs during their stay. This item would depend on the employer, the time of the year when the programe is going to be held and the participant’s previous job experience.