BIENVENIDOS A LA MONTAÑA Y BARILOCHE Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina

PRE-ARRIVAL PACK

&

BENEFIT CLUB

Get ready to immerse yourself in the Spanish Language and Argentine culture!

Please go through the following pre-arrival information and Benefit Club. Feel free to contact us if you still have any questions.

+ GETTing to Bariloche

n  From Buenos Aires: o  By Plane: 2h flight o  Airlines: LAN, Aerolineas Argentinas/Austral o  By car or Bus: 1650 km o  20h in comfortable buses n  Distance to other cities in Argentina: o  Mendoza - 1287km o  Córdoba – 1588km o  Puerto Madryn - 960km o  El Bolsón – 131km

n  Distance to cities in Chile: o  Santiago - 1140 km o  Osorno - 250km, 4h bus/car o  Puerto Montt - 390km, 6h bus/car o  Pucón – 353km, 4.5h bus/car

BARILOCHE

School Location

ª Prime location in a quiet spot in the heart of the city, near internet cafes, bars, pubs, restaurants, shops, hotels and hostels, public transportation and other services.

Elflein 251, 2nd Floor Bariloche, Rio Negro Argentina 8400

§  13.5 km from San Carlos de Bariloche Airport.

§  2.2 km from the Bus Terminal.

§  We recommend students to use a Remis (A cab for a set rate for longer distances) or schedule an Airport Pick up with us.

ARRIVING AT LA MONTAÑA

Free Airport Pick

Up* For courses 2 weeks or more

+ What is included in your course?

Group Classes: Mon-Fri 9am-1pm

Free Wi-Fi and Computer Access

Study materials

Borrow books, movies and music CD’s

Free Coffee, Tea and Snacks

Certificate for your completed Spanish Level

After class activities

Local discounts and benefits

FREE Airport Pick-up for courses of 2 weeks or more

After Class Activities

•  2pm New Students Orientation

LUNES

•  2pm City Tour

MARTES

•  2pm Clase de cocina

MIER

•  2pm •  Cultural

Quest

JUEVES

•  2pm Juegos de viernes

VIERNES

Other activities and half-day trips around Bariloche

n  Every week we organize several free after class activities to facilitate Spanish learning and introduce students to Bariloche and the Latin American culture. They are led by Spanish teachers and Spanish is the only language spoken!

LA MONTAÑA BENEFIT CLUB n  Students taking Spanish courses at La Montaña, Bariloche, will be part of our Benefit Club

through which they will receive a range of great discounts and offers from shops and businesses all over Bariloche. Our Benefit Club is constantly evolving, and provides members with discounts including chocolate shops, bike rentals, Bus companies, books, postcards, etc. in order to help our students enjoy the best of Bariloche and Argentina for less pesos!

•  Bus Buenos Aires – Bariloche: Discount/benefit: 20% OFF •  Rapa Nui chocolate shop: Discount/benefit: 20% OFF •  Bike rental: Discount/benefit: 10% OFF •  Postcards: Take 5 - pay 4. •  La Montaña exclusive T-shirts: 25% OFF •  Books for practicing Spanish: 25% discount •  Skipasses (for 3 consecutive days or more): 10% OFF •  Airport pick up (for courses of 2 weeks or more) Free

SAVE $$$!!!

BENEFITs at school n  All our students have free access to our facilities while we are open. Use our space to

relax, interact with other students in a friendly atmosphere and have a “base” spot in town center.

Our students have free access to: o  Lounge area & Garden/terrace to relax. o  Bright and comfortable classrooms: Stay after class and do your homework. o  Computers you can use for free to navigate internet and/or download your pictures and files. o  Free WI FI o  Cinema Club o  Book-swap o  Ludoteka (you can borrow games to practice Spanish both at school or at home) o  Library for Spanish students (according to Spanish level) o  Library for Spanish Teachers o  Microwave: Stay for lunch. (you bring your meal and you can use our microwave and oven) o  Fridge: Willing to have your own snack during school break? Just bring it and keep it in our fridge. o  Storage: Store the luggage your do not need for travelling around and pick it up when you need it. o  Mail box: Use our address if you need one to receive a pack. o  Invite a friend: your friends and relatives are welcome if they want to join our after-class activities.

FEEL AT HOME…

San Carlos de Bariloche

n  Location: Situated in the foothills of the Andes, in the heart of Nahuel Huapi National Park, Rio Negro Province, Patagonia.

n  Population: 120,000 permanent habitants.

n  Elevation 893m, cool climate, 4 seasons: pleasant summers (Dec -February) and white winters (June- Aug).

QUICK FACTS:

§  The biggest ski resort in South America and a haven for all sports enthusiasts and travelers.

NAHUEL HUAPI LAKE

BARILOCHE

+ DISCOVER BARILOCHE

MAJESTIC LAKES

AND BREATHTAKING

VIEWS

LEARN SPANISH, LIVE PATAGONIA

What to do in Bariloche?

SPORTS n  Ski & Snowboard n  Trekking n  Mountain Biking n  Kayak n  Yoga

GREAT VIEWS n  Cerro Otto n  Cerro Campanario n  Refugio Frey n  Circuito Chico n  Cerro Catedral

ADVENTURES n  Rafting n  Rock Climbing n  Kite and Wind Surfing n  Canopy/Zip-Lining n  Horseback Riding

DAY TRIPS n  Isla Victoria/Bosque

de Arrayanes n  Los Siete Lagos n  El Tronador n  El Bolsón n  Villa Angostura

LOCAL FOOD n  Chocolate artesanal n  Empanadas n  Cordero Patagónico n  Picada con cerveza n  Alfajores y helados

GETAWAYS n  Ruta 40 n  Puerto Montt n  Puerto Madryn n  Glaciar Perito Moreno n  Volcán Villarrica

*You will be given information about what to do in Bariloche the first day and we can arrange trips and excursions for you.

OUR TOP 5s

+ What to Pack

Winter (June – Aug):

Barloche is the biggest ski center in South America and we have a lot of snow in winter so make sure you bring warm clothes and boots, and ski/snowboard gear. (You can also rent it here.)

ü  Warm Boots

ü  Thermal Clothes

ü  Ski Gear

ü  Gloves, Hat, Scarf

ü  Backpack

ü  Sunscreen

ü  Sleeping Bag

ü  Trekking Shoes

ü  Tent

ü  Sunscreen

ü  Backpack

ü  Rain/Wind Jacket

ü  Beach towel

Summer (Dec – Feb)

Summers can be nice and warm but always bring your jacket with you because the weather in the mountains is unstable and windy. You will have plenty of opportunities for camping and outdoor activities so don’t forget comfortable clothing and camping & sports gear.

+BARILOCHE

Secretaría Municipal de Turismo: Centro Cívico. (10 mins walk from school) Online Info: http://www.infobariloche.com/

USEFUL INFORMATION

Public transportation: Purchase your prepaid card righ in front of La Montaña: Elflein 313/113 Inter City: http://www.viabariloche.com.ar/ 20% off for our students Airport: BRC: http://barilocheairport.com/

Shopping: Traditional chocolaterías, cafeterias, breweries, bars, restaurants, artesanal stores, supermarkets and mountain gear stores are located mostly around Mitre and Moreno Streets, minutes away from our school.

Hospital Privado Regional - 20 de Febrero 598, (5 mins walk from school) San Carlos Emergencias - Av. Bustillo 1.000 (15 minutes walk from school) Pharmacies – the nearest well stocked Pharmacy is 2 mins walk from school

Post Office: Correo Argentino, Moreno 175, (0294) 4423100, www.correoargentino.com.ar, (2 mins walk from school)

Safety: - The schools is located in a very safe area. There are two Police Stations nearby: Tiscornia 6 (5 mins walk from school); Centro Civico (8 mins walk from school)

+Cost of Living

$ARG pesos*

Urban Bus Ticket $10

Taxi (Remis) from the Airport $300

Taxi (15 blocks) $80

Water, Soda (500ml) $40

Daily menu in a restaurant $100

Sandwich (on the street) $50-$80

Coffee (small cup) $30

Breakfast (coffee+2 croissants) $55--$70

Ice-cream (3 scoops) $45

Hamburger $80

Cinema Ticket $80

Please check the current exchange rate before you come and shop around before you buy pesos in Argentina.

At our school students can benefit from discounts in local shops, restaurants and travel agencies.

*Approximate prices as of March 2015

+ Paying in Argentina n  PAYING YOUR COURSE:

- We advise our students to pay their course in advance by bank transfer or PayPal. We have discounts for early payments.

-  You can pay cash on the first day of class. We accept $ARG, $US and Euros. You can always decide to extend your course once you are here.

LATE ARRIVALS, ABSENCES & EARLY RETURNS: For cancellations before arrival, cancellation fees may apply. After the program has started: no refunds shall be given for any course, accommodation or any other services booked. No refunds are given for late students or for loss of classes during the course due to any kind of absences on the part of the student or for early returns.

IMPORTANT: We want you to make the most of your time with us. In case you feel your educational expectations are not being fulfilled, you must inform the school director immediately so that we can review your particular situation an reschedule your Spanish program.

n  PAYING IN ARGENTINA:

-  Credit cards are generally accepted but there are many places that accept cash only or give discounts for paying cash.

-  Bear in mind that, you will get the best deals with dollar cash.

- There are many banks and ATM’s near the school. Keep in mind that because of currency control you cannot get foreign currency from ATM’s or banks. Exchange offices. You can exchange foreign currency at various places and we advise you to first ask around and compare exchange rates.

USEFUL INFORMATION

n  La Montaña - LEARN Spanish in Bariloche – the leading Spanish school in Patagonia is always working to maximize the quality of the academic and cultural experience of each and every student.

“ At our Spanish school, the philosophy of tailor-made, one-to-one courses is applied to small group classes” Verónica Leone, Director and Founder of Spanish in Bariloche.

About Us

n  Founded July 2002

n  Specialized in tailor-made and group courses

n  College Credits

n  Founder of AACELE

n  Co-working with Universidad de Rio Negro

n  Spanish teachers training courses

n  Extensive social & cultural activities

✚

+ Who we are:

çVerónica Leone - Director and Founder. Teaching and leading Spanish immersion programs since 2002.

Our Teachers: è Highly qualified, native speakers

teachers. Specialized in teaching Spanish as a foreign language.

Our Team and Teachers

Victoria Soler Excursions & trips

Uxue Andoño Environment, Marketing and Social

Media Mariano Morazzani

Adm. and Commercial Consultant

+ Get in Touch:

251 Elflein, 2do Piso, San Carlos de Bariloche, 8400 Rio Negro, Argentina www.lamontana.com www.Spanishinbariloche.com

info@lamontana.com

La Montaña Spanish School

@LaMontanaBRC @SpanishinBRC

lamontana.com

+54 294 4524212