To stay/not to stay in BA: Tango fever x the economic crisis

[Ana Luisa]

I can relate to that. Hopefully, I'll make the "best" choice, whatever "best" might mean...

 

[Meri]

I feel like tango as well as being an awesome physical expression may embody qualities about the culture here that are speaking to you. Argentina is such a weird unique place but I think it just works for some of us and gives us something we won't find elsewhere (even if it drives us completely crazy at times). I can understand the lure after a passion drought and feel like living here taps into something that has been sort of brushed aside in other cultures. You're honestly still soooo young and sound very resourceful - so I say go for it and you can always switch gears (with effort) in the future if you need to. Maybe it's just not time for you to leave just yet? Good luck!!

 

[Ashley]

Definitely follow your passion. I think many of us want to leave for practical or economic reasons but as much as I love BA, I can do what I love to do anywhere...it's not so tied up in BA like the tango.
Personally, if I were you I might find out about transferring credits from La UBA to your university in Brazil so that if you do find yourself in a position where living here is no longer feasible (maybe in a year or two), you can go back temporarily to finish your degree with minimal upheaval.

 

[Lamb]

I want to, but I just started. That would mean at least 4 years in BA. All reasonable predictions reveal the crisis will get even messier. Subsist like that, not knowing the future of an unstable country run by unstable Cristina (still deciding between "nutcase" or just plain unscrupuous), while Brazil is doing infinetely better ever since the people finally gave Lula a chance.

What I most see is everybody here in BA Expats saying they're leaving soon. And for plausable reasons. Brazil is no UK (yet! ), there is lots of room for improvement. There are some civility issues as well, but things definetely function better than here. In Brazil, I have stability. In Argentina, I have my drive. Again, in doubt. Sigh... Somebody tell me what to do...

Is there anywhere else in the world where one can pursue tango JUST AS MUCH?

How about Uruguay?

 

[Montauk_Project]

Brazil is going strong right now, but things might change. I think a lot of people on this board are overreacting, and while they say they want to leave they still stay.
I am in contact with a lot of Argentines, most are business owners or professionals. Some like the current gov´t, others do not, but they are all pretty optimistic about the future and are making good money.
When I tell them that a lot of foreigners are upset and want to leave, they don´t really understand, as they are not freaking out.
Also most of the world isn´t in too good shape: there is economic recession in most of Europe and the US, so by comparison. . .
UBA is a great school, it is free, and if your passion is here, the other part is just details. I´ve been here ten years, there are times it gets frustrating, but home is where your heart is.
Follow your passion, the rest will fall into place.

 

[Ana Luisa]

Meri, Ashley, Lamb and Montauk_Project: thank you very much for your insightful thoughts. I truely appreciate the help.

I just hope things start to get better soon for me here. That the target that was placed on my forehead eventually fades away. I've been here for 4 months and a half now and am sick of so many people trying to exploit me for my good will. It's affecting my mental health. It's hard enough that I'm on my own and that it's sooo hard to get a job here in BA. Or maybe it's because the first months as a foreigner anywhere on the planet are hard on anybody, regardless.
The amazing friends I was able to make through the process do compensate the suffering a bit though.
Well, I better go to sleep already. Tomorrow will be a long day: packing everything, moving to my first BA apartment on Monday if everything goes well.