Study Abroad Programs in Argentina

Despite being at the far end of the continent, students who venture to Argentina to study abroad often have a hard time coming back. Rich in culture, cuisine, and history, studying in Argentina will stimulate every one of your senses. Whether you’d like to climb sand dunes or wade in one of the country’s many cool, blue rivers, Argentina offers all kinds of natural wonders, ranging from the highest peak in South America to Patagonia’s world-renowned landscapes. But your environment won’t be the only incredible thing you encounter, you’ll also travel through some amazing cities, Buenos Aires the most widely recognized, and fabulous, of all. Learning to tango or sinking your teeth into some of the world’s best steak, Argentina will never leave you bored.

South America's second-largest country and the world's eighth, Argentina is a fiery melting pot of distinct cultures despite its dominant Latin roots. Because of Argentina's large size, you will find very different regions, allowing you to experience stark contrasts within a single country. From the remote wild to the busy plazas of Buenos Aires, there's a study abroad program out there that best suits your goals and interests.

Argentina is different from many South American countries as its population is largely composed of people of European heritage. Despite the fact that the majority of the population are of Spanish and Italian descent, Argentina is a diverse, multicultural center with pockets of indigenous groups spread across the country. Immerse yourself in a new culture, study a language among native speakers, and experience Argentina the way it's meant to be experienced—as a resident, not a passerby!

City or college town?

No matter where you study in Argentina, you can be sure that your program will either be in cities or near them, allowing you plenty of chances to fully explore the abundance of culture in Argentina. There are really two very different parts to Argentinian culture—one being Buenos Aires, the second being the rest of the country. We recommend giving both a shot while you're there!

Buenos Aires:

Buenos Aires is somehow a combination of indigenous, colonial, modern, and futuristic—you've got to see it to believe it! Nicknamed the "Pearl of South America" and the "Paris of South America", Buenos Aires is home to 32 million citizens (about forty percent of the population!) AND serves as a major center for local cultural, economic, and political life. You will find that the architecture of Buenos Aires is much more reminiscent of Europe than you will find in other South American cities—and it provides a great selection of top-notch museums, theaters, and other culturally significant (and entertaining!) places.

Tree-lined boulevards, pop-up tango lessons on street corners, reggae music, and a wealth of landmarks make Argentina's capital city an ideal location for a study abroad experience.

Mendoza:

Big city living comes to pass in beautiful Mendoza, found in Argentina's wine country. While featuring a ton of activities for nightlife, great dining, and many entertainment scenes, this city also has its share of tranquil areas, and is known for being very "green!" Its location at the foot of the Andes Mountains certainly doesn't hurt, either!

If you prefer to experience a different side of Argentina, one that is not found in the oft-visited Buenos Aires, Mendoza is the city for you. It is a perfect destination for lovers of the outdoors.

How to Choose a Program

Now that you've made the exciting decision to study abroad here, all you need to do is select which program you're going to participate in. While it can feel overwhelming at times, we've made a cheat sheet to help make your decision process a little clearer.

Language:

Take advantage of your time spent in Argentina by selecting a program that gives you opportunities to study the local language—Spanish! An incredibly useful and widespread language, Spanish is the language of everyday life in Argentina. Don't make the mistake of not taking language study seriously enough.

While English is used in business, you would be wise to learn a few key phrases to help enhance your experience there. You can learn Spanish in Argentina alongside students from all over the world!

If you are not entirely confident in your Spanish language skills, select a program that teaches students in both English and Spanish.

Housing:

Living abroad can mean different things to different people. If you're interested in a true immersion experience, you would likely take advantage of any opportunity to closely interact with the locals, including participating in a homestay. On the flip side, if you prefer a bit more independence abroad, you may find an apartment is a more suitable living situation. Whatever you fancy, select a program that ultimately fulfills your desires for your study abroad experience.

Some universities offer dormitories or residencies, and those that don't provide accommodation counseling services for international students. As an international student, you can rent a room in a students’ residence, or alternatively, rent a room in a house or an apartment.

With API's study abroad program in Buenos Aires, students are automatically placed in a homestay environment, with the aims of improving students' understanding of Argentinian culture and Spanish language. On the other hand, Panrimo gives their students the option to stay in a homestay or to stay in a single or shared apartment in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires. If neither of these options sound ideal to you, we recommend CEA's program which provides accomodation in international student residence halls.

Activities and Sightseeing:

Different study abroad programs use different approaches to helping students experience a culture outside of the classroom. Some programs will opt to pre-organize meaningful events for students to participate in with the hope of giving students the most enriching experiences possible.

Other programs, conversely, prefer to allow students to organize their weekend activities independently, thus giving them more freedom to see the sights they truly want to see. Which is better? You decide!

IES Abroad organizes a slew of fun activities for students participating in their semester and year-long programs in Buenos Aires. From day trips to traditional ranches, longer trips to neighboring Uruguay, or visits to local craft markets, IES Abroad students certainly won't have time to get bored! If you're looking for a little more outdoor fun, check out Panrimo Abroad, who organizes a short trip to the nearby Andes mountain range! Sweet!

Life in Argentina comes at an extremely affordable price, so rest easy knowing that studying in Argentina will not lead to long-lasting debt. Even though the cost of living is relatively inexpensive compared to the U.S. or European nations, getting there may not be.

Instead of playing the "Find a Flight" game for hours on end trying to save a couple of bucks from different websites, jump the gun and instead apply for scholarships (which may end up saving you a large chunk of cash in the end).

API Study Abroad has a variety of scholarships available for students studying abroad in Argentina averaging $1,000 per award. For more information, including requirements and deadlines, just visit their application page!
Scholarships Argentina offers 30 partial scholarships to international students interested in learning Spanish in Argentina!
IES Abroad offers a variety of scholarships for those participating in their programs - including a few great options in Argentina!
More Study Abroad Grants and Scholarships