Over the last six months Mente has had the opportunity to get to know Jarryd and Megan, one of Mente’s favorite couples of all time. The two of them decided to leave their jobs and embark on an adventure to Argentina, a decision that is totally admirable and brave.  It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to spend time with them at Mente events and to hear about their experiences with their classes here in Buenos Aires.   Megan spent the first portion of her time here being certified to teach english abroad and the second portion of her time teaching english classes.  Jarryd, having had experience working in kitchens, decided to deepen his understanding of the culinary arts through our Culinary Arts Degree program.

Both Jarryd and Megan fit right in here in Buenos Aires.  With their easy going attitude (red:buena onda)  they seemed to comfortably slip into the rhythm of the city.  They lived together in a private apartment in the Palermo neighborhood. To give you a better idea of their experience here, check out the below feedback that we received from Jarryd, in his own words, as well as some pictures he took of the yummy looking dishes that he made.

HOW DID YOU LIKE YOUR COOKING COURSES?

“I am really enjoying my classes at the cooking school so far. I couldn’t really ask for a better set-up. With schools back home being at least fifty plus grand for a degree. I decided to go to community college for culinary back home and it was completely different. They were cheap, yes, but it was nothing like what my school here in Buenos Aires offers for close to the same price. Back home there were thirty something students crammed into a classroom where you could barely see the teacher if you were stuck in the back. You had to work in big groups and we shared the kitchen with the people from the cafeteria. At my institute in Buenos Aires there are eight students and at least two teachers in each class so you are able to get so much more one on one time with the teachers. The teachers also prepare and cook the food in front of you before you do it yourself which is a key for a successful dish that they did not do at school back home. Here we have all the nicest kitchen equipment and professional staff. It has definitely been an all-around great learning experience.”

HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH TAKING CLASSES ALL IN SPANISH? 

“Taking classes in Spanish was definitely a challenge. Coming from San Diego, California and being about a ten minute drive to Mexico, I had some background in speaking Spanish but coming to Buenos Aires I definitely felt like a fish out of water. The spanish is much different here and having to speak it all day for class I had realized that I was bit rustier than I had thought. The teachers/students have all been really helpful in making sure that I am understanding the information in classes. It was tough at first but as of now I am actually pulling the top scores in the written tests!”

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE THING THAT
YOU LEARNED HOW TO COOK?

“My favorite thing I have learned to make is a tough question. It was cool to learn some of the Argentine stews which they call guisos like “locro” as well as learning to cook some uncommon cuts of meat like sweet breads “mollejas”. But I think my favorite class would have to be the bread baking class. Learning to make Argentine breads and doughs was really fun, for example empanadas and chipa.”

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE?

“Of course Megan and I’s favorite part of our time here has been hanging out with Mente staff! We couldn’t have asked for a better program to be a part of. You guys have all been so helpful and kind to us.

Besides doing fun stuff with Mente, I would say just exploring the city. We are put in such a great location there is something going on all the time.”

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS EXPERIENCE MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO YOU IN THE FUTURE?

“This experience will definitely be useful for me in the future. I have worked in kitchens back home for about four years now and it is all a matter of what you can bring to the table, so to speak. When people in the food industry look at resumes, school is a good advantage but they want to know what type of different experiences you have had and what other places you have worked. A lot of times we would hire people that just graduated from a well-known  culinary school but have no in kitchen experience so they go down in flames.

By adding my education to my resume it shows that I am dedicated to culinary arts enough to go to school in another country, learn what they have to offer, and apply that wherever I may work next. Also, I can now say I am bilingual which is huge in San Diego.”

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING OF COMING TO BUENOS AIRES?

“Our experience with Mente is more than we could have hoped for. We were definitely apprehensive at first since we didn’t know what to expect but Mente has exceeded our expectations. Our apartment is amazing and in a great location and they are always available to answer any questions and to help in any way. I would tell anyone looking to come to Buenos Aires for anything more than a vacation to do it with Mente Argentina, and to look out for dog poop.”

We are smitten with both Jarryd and Megan and although it is hard to imagine that they will soon be leaving us for California, we wish them the best of luck with whatever and wherever their adventure takes them.  

Heather Houde