Expanish Volunteer Blog
Let your inner self out during your volunteer program in Buenos Aires!
Most of us can be either very shy at times or very outgoing, depending on the situation, how we feel, and who we are with. If you are taking on a volunteer program in Buenos Aires, it is common to be shy when you first arrive, begin your program, and starting meeting new people. Try not to let the anxiousness of starting so many new things at the same time get the better of you and do you very best to be yourself, talk with other people, and leave that anxious feeling behind.
Argentina is a country of both Latin and European (Italian, French, Spanish) influence, and people from both these parts of the world are known for their excellent social skills, the ability to speak with almost anyone, and overall not fearing most social situations. There are other regions of the world, such as North America, where in social situations, people can act a little more reserved and tend to avoid being the centre of attention, simply because it is part of that culture.
If you are in a volunteer placement in Argentina, it is very important that you try to bring out the best of your people skills and open up to the people you are working with. At times, shyness in Argentina can be taken for bad onda (vibe) and you may be actually be taken as someone who is not very friendly. Even if this is not the case, it is hard for Argentines to understand, and they in turn may be more hesitant to speak with you.
This situation is nothing more than what you call a ‘culture difference’ and with the right efforts and attitude, both sides can do what they can to create a bridge between the cultures and make everyone feel more comfortable.
Learn more here about adjusting to a volunteer program in Buenos Aires!
