Submitted by Elizabeth Fleming on the 2018 fall semester program in Buenos Aires, Argentina…
One of my favorite activities I’ve participated in thus far in Buenos Aires is Mate Club. The name comes from the traditional Argentine drink mate (pronounced mah-tay), which is essentially hot water mixed with special herbs. Drinking mate is a custom that comes with its own specific set of rules and is a drink intended to be shared and consumed in a social setting.
At Mate Club, we drink mate of course, but the primary purpose is conversation. Those learning English and those learning Spanish can get together to practice, switching off between languages every 15 minutes so everyone gets a chance to work on their language skills. As someone who struggles with confidence while speaking Spanish, especially when talking to native speakers, Mate Club has helped me improve immensely. Everyone is in the same boat when they are trying to learn a foreign language, so there is a common understanding that bonds everyone who goes. Through Mate Club, I have met tons of locals as well as people from other parts of Argentina, other countries in Latin America, and even places like New Zealand or Poland. I love Mate Club because it is a combination of those who are traveling and those who plan to travel, and there is always a new topic to discuss no matter what table you are sitting at. Everyone has a story to tell, and through Mate Club I have heard some interesting stories about some interesting people. I love the mixture of academic practice, cultural education and fun that Mate Club provides. It is run by a few university students and holds three meetings a week. I would highly recommend Mate Club to anyone passing through Buenos Aires who wants to improve their Spanish or their English, or to anyone who wants to meet some interesting people in a less conventional way!