Pre-Program Steps

In order to fully prepare for your trip, please use the following Pre-Program Checklist to ensure you’ve completed all program requirements before your departure. We also suggest that you follow the Pre-Departure Advice out together by the Puentes team and previous interns. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to us any time by phone or email.

PRE-PROGRAM CHECKLIST

1. pre-program form

Please complete the following steps at least two months prior to your internship.  To help us prepare for your arrival, please complete the Pre-Program Form as soon as possible.

Complete the Pre-Program Form
 

2. flight information form

As soon as you book your flights, please complete the Flight Information Form so that we can coordinate your pick up at the airport and transportation to your housing.

Complete the Flight Information Form

*IMPORTANT NOTE ON YOUR FLIGHT DATES*

  • Required arrival date: Friday, February 2, 2024

  • Required departure date: Saturday, April 27, 2024

Arrival timing: You must arrive to the airport listed below for your city before 12:30pm local time on the required arrival date. If you arrive outside of this arrival window or to a different airport, you will be responsible for your own airport transfer. There will be one group transfer from the airport, so early morning arrivals will await the later morning arrivals.

Overnight flights: Most international flights are overnight, so you should typically look for a flight departing the evening before the required arrival date.

Orientation schedule: We will have important orientation activities during your first two days in-country, and then you will begin your internships that Monday. We will share a personalized, detailed arrival itinerary with you about two weeks before your arrival date, which will provide details on airport pickup, housing, and orientation activities.

Airport codes:

  • Buenos Aires, Argentina: Ministro Pistarini “Ezeiza” International Airport (EZE)

  • Montevideo, Uruguay: Carrasco International Airport / General Cesáreo L. Berisso (MVD)

 

3. internship work agreement

Once your internship is confirmed, you will complete the Internship Work Agreement with your internship supervisor. The Internship Work Agreement includes information on expected dates for the internship and anticipated project work and outcomes. We want to ensure that your work plan and internship expectations are clearly defined in advance of your program so that you can hit the ground running on your first day of work and dive into your internship experience.


4. WhatsApp Messenger

In Argentina and Uruguay, everyone uses WhatsApp to communicate. Please send the following Puentes team members a WhatsApp test message with your “First Name Last Name Puentes.”

  • Lali Pereira: +54 9 11 3628 5039

  • Kelly Williamson: +54 9 11 5466 8512

When adding new WhatsApp contacts, be sure to include the plus sign (+), the country code (54 for Argentina, 598 for Uruguay), and the area code (9 11 for Buenos Aires and 2 for Montevideo).

Please continue to contact the Puentes team by email or phone for any non-urgent matters as you prepare for your time abroad. We will use WhatsApp as a way to connect in the case of urgent matters.

5. PRE-DEPARTURE WEBINAR

The mandatory Pre-Departure Webinar took place on Wednesday, November 15 at 10am ET. You can find the recording and slides below.

Watch the recording
View the slides

6. submit your international insurance information

If you did not yet have your international insurance information on hand when you submitted the Pre-Program Form, please submit your details to our team as soon as you receive them.

PRE-DEPARTURE ADVICE

ADDITIONAL STEPS TO TAKE BEFORE TRAVELING

  • Set up one of the following two cell phone options for your local communication.

    • Unlock your cell phone and use a local SIM card. Contact your cell phone provider before your departure and request that your phone be unlocked. In the Puentes Welcome Pack that you receive upon arrival, we will give you a local SIM card, which you can use in your unlocked cell phone. With the local SIM card, you can buy cell phone credit to be used as needed for your local calls, texting, and data, and you can also rely on widely available wifi for free over-the-internet messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and FaceTime.

    • Set up an international cell phone plan with your cell provider. Contact your cell phone provider to check cell service rates for your destination abroad, and then change your current cell phone plan to one that allows for temporary international service.

  • Decide how you will access pesos in country.

    • Bring U.S. dollars (Be sure to bring cash in US$100 bills as they are most widely accepted at exchange houses and lead to a much more favorable exchange rate).

    • Notify your credit and debit card banks about the dates during which you will be out of the country so that you will not be flagged for fraudulent activities. Also ask your bank to waive the ATM withdrawal fee as an exception during the time that you are abroad; some banks will do this and others will not, but it is always worth it to ask. 

    • If you plan to use Western Union to transfer yourself funds to pick up from a Western Union location abroad in pesos, create the Western Union account while physically located in the U.S. before you travel abroad.

  • Make sure that passport is valid for at least six months after your last planned date abroad.

  • Familiarize yourself with your insurance plan. You are responsible for understanding how your international insurance works (what’s covered, how to get pre-approval for medical visits, how to file claims, etc.). Puentes will help you navigate the medical system in Argentina and Uruguay but cannot assist with international insurance processes.

  • For U.S. citizens and nationals, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is a free service to register your trip with the U.S. Embassy in Argentina or Uruguay so that you will receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in the city during your stay. The registration is simple and can be done on the STEP website in a few minutes with your passport number, emergency contact information, and flight itinerary.

  • Leave the Puentes contact information with your family or point of contact.

  • Review the Puentes Participant Code of Conduct again to keep these considerations in mind during your program.

Currently, there are no COVID-specific entry requirements to enter Argentina.

PACKING SUGGESTIONS

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Your Passport
Your Passport

Make sure that passport is valid for at least six months after your last planned date abroad. U.S. passport holders can enter Argentina and Uruguay as tourists without a visa for the Puentes programs. If you are entering Argentina or Uruguay on a passport from a country other than the U.S., please review the possible visa requirements for Argentina or for Uruguay. It is ultimately your responsibility to secure a visa for the program if you are required to do so.

Put your passport in your carry on bag - not in your checked bag.

Money: Cards and Cash
Money: Cards and Cash

Bring a debit card, a credit card, and U.S. dollars in US$100 bills (smaller denominations are often not accepted in exchange houses) so that you have options for payments while abroad.

Also notify your credit and debit card banks about the dates during which you will be abroad so that you will not be flagged for fraudulent activities. Ask your bank to waive the ATM withdrawal fee as an exception during the time that you are abroad. 

If you plan to use Western Union to access pesos while abroad, create the Western Union account while physically located in the U.S. before you travel.

Laptop
Laptop

You must bring your own laptop. Also of note is that electronics are very expensive in this region of the world, so it’s best to bring any cords, plugs, and accessories that you need for electronics.

Cell Phone + Back Up Phone
Cell Phone + Back Up Phone

It is a requirement to have a functioning cell phone (with both a calling plan and data plan) for the entire duration of your program. Set up one of the following two cell phone options for your local communication:

(1) Set up an international cell phone plan with your cell provider. Contact your cell phone provider to check cell service rates for your destination abroad, and then change your current cell phone plan to one that allows for temporary international service.

(2) Unlock your cell phone and use a local SIM card that you can purchase in-country at most "kioscos." Contact your cell phone provider before your departure and request that your phone be unlocked.

If you have an extra cell phone already on hand, you may want to bring it with you in case something happens to your phone while in country so that you have a ready, easy replacement.

Cell Phone
Cell Phone

It is a requirement to have a functioning cell phone (with both a calling plan and data plan) for the entire duration of your program. Contact your cell phone provider to set up an international cell phone plan

If you have an extra cell phone already on hand, you may want to bring it with you in case something happens to your phone while in country so that you have a ready, easy replacement.

Adaptor
Adaptor

Argentine and Uruguay electricity is 220 V, 50 Hz, which is different than the 110V in many countries. When using a computer, generally there is a voltage converter on the plug that protects your computer, but with bigger electronics like hairdryers and hair straighteners, you might need a 220 to 110 volt transformer.

Argentina and Uruguay use a mix of European and Australian plugs. The most common plug in Argentina is two flat blades in a V shape (type I). The most common plug in Uruguay is the plug with three points (type L). You can either bring adaptors or buy them upon arrival in any “ferretería” (hardware store).

Prescription medication
Prescription medication

Bring more than enough of any prescription medication for your entire stay abroad. Medicine cannot be sent via postal mail from your home country, and you cannot use an international prescription at a pharmacy abroad. We encourage students to continue their prescription medication and to take enough medication for the program, plus 14 days, just in case. We also recommend to take it in the original packaging. If you need prescription medication filled while abroad, you must see a local doctor.

Clothes for Fall Weather
Clothes for Fall Weather

The month of May in Bariloche can have varying temperatures, rain, and sunshine, so do bring different options for layers, including a rain jacket and a warm jacket. Buildings do not have central heating systems so be sure to bring warm clothes for the workplace too. 

Outdoors/Walking Shoes
Outdoors/Walking Shoes

Comfortable and durable walking shoes are a must to get around Bariloche’s streets, many of which are unpaved and gravel or dirt.

Zipper Bag
Zipper Bag

Do not bring open-top tote bags to transport your laptop, but instead opt for a zippered bag or backpack for daily outings. You’ll find most people carry their belongings in a fanny pack or crossbody purse, rather than their pockets, when out in public.

Reusable Lunch Bag
Reusable Lunch Bag

Bring a reusable lunch bag to take your lunch to your workspace each weekday.  The office of your host organization may not have nearby options to purchase food or receive food delivery, so you should plan to take your lunch to work each day. 

Preferred Toiletries
Preferred Toiletries

If you prefer certain brands of toiletries, such as hair or skin-care products, we recommend bringing them from home. They might be hard to find here or more expensive. Keep in mind that tampons are sold without applicators here.

Medical Certificate
Medical Certificate

If you plan to join a gym, you will need an “apto físico.” This can be a simple, signed note (in English or Spanish) from a doctor stating that you are in good health and able to undertake physical exercise in a gym.

Homestay Gift
Homestay Gift

While not expected or mandatory, host families often appreciate small gifts. Something from your hometown, an item related to a hobby you like, or something meaningful to you. Sentimental consideration is more important than economic value.

Items to not pack
Items to not pack

No need to pack towels or sheets; your Puentes housing provides them.

We also recommend that you do not bring any expensive or irreplaceable jewelry or personal items so that you do not have to fret about them while adventuring.

Important to note when packing:

  • No need to pack towels or sheets; your Puentes housing provides them. We also recommend that you do not bring any expensive or irreplaceable jewelry or personal items so that you do not have to fret about them while adventuring.

  • Review the Money section of the Living Abroad page to consider which peso cash access option is best for you.

  • Argentine and Uruguay electricity is 220 V, 50 Hz, which is different than the 110V in many countries. When using a computer, generally there is a voltage converter on the plug that protects your computer, but with bigger electronics like hairdryers and hair straighteners, you might need a 220 to 110 volt transformer. Argentina and Uruguay use a mix of European and Australian plugs: either a plug with two circular prongs or one with two flat blades in a V shape with or without a third blade below. The most common plug in Argentina is two flat blades in a V shape. The most common plug in Uruguay is the plug with three points. You can either bring adaptors or buy them upon arrival at any ferretería (hardware store).

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