Study Abroad in Argentina

Argentina may not come immediately to your mind when you are selecting a destination for your study abroad plans but the fact is that many students, especially Americans, are allured by the country’s vibrant culture and an exceptional sense of style, peculiar to Latin America.

Best Study Abroad Programs in Argentina

Why Study in Argentina

Study abroad programs are more than just changing the locale of your visit where you can experience a new environment. It is also important for your personal growth and should provide you a professional edge in the highly competitive job market. Even a summer course for a short period should give you the valuable experience of studying the similarities and differences between the cultures of your domicile and the host country.

This kind of experience may go a long way in changing your preconceived notions. Students get a deep insight into the way other people think and behave in similar circumstances. In fact, during your study abroad program, you can also learn to be tolerant and appreciative of differing opinions and cultures. Additionally, it is also a productive way of exploring new places. And there are few better destinations in South America than Argentina.

Argentina is regarded as one of the best Latin American destinations due to its richness and contrast. Buenos Aires, the capital city, is most indicative of the art and culture of Argentinean people and is emerging as a major urban centre that is not uncomfortable with its guttural tango roots.

No matter where you go or what you do when you study abroad in Argentina, you will experience the beauty of this exotic South American country.

Highlights include Buenos Aires, the capital city full of cultural monuments and exotic resorts, as well as a picturesque stop at Iquazu Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

Whilst living here you can eat at tasty Argentine restaurants and try empanadas, a Spanish pasty stuffed with fish or chicken. Or head over to a stadium to catch a game of Argentina’s most popular sport, football.

Education System in Argentina

Education in Argentina was fractured until the time President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (1868–1874) placed emphasis on bringing Argentina up to date with the modern educational systems as is prevalent in developed countries. For that purpose he encouraged immigration of trained teachers, along with establishing schools and public libraries all over Argentina.

Secondary education in Argentina is called, Polimodal, meaning, having multiple modes and it allows students to choose their own disciplines based on specific and individual preferences. The school year in Argentina starts in March and runs through December with a two week vacation in July that is subject to change according to provincial laws.

Foreign students find the system of teachers changing classes during the school hours, as a very convenient tool for interacting and making friends with classmates. Unless your study abroad is in any of the technological areas of study, you can expect to attend either morning or evening classes only.

Best Universities in Argentina for International Students

If you’re traveling to Argentina to learn the Spanish language or to increase your fluency in it, there are many universities you can attend that provide hands-on programs for international students.

For the beginning Spanish student, you can join the over 20,000 international students who attend the University of Buenos Aires. This university has a prestigious Foreign Language Department that not only offers language courses in Spanish, but also in English, French, Japanese and Latin. Located near the Obelisk, a 220 foot high monument created to commemorate the founding of the city of Buenos Aires, the University of Buenos Aires offers enough educational and recreational activities to keep every student busy.

For more advanced Spanish students, and for those students interest in learning about the Latin American culture, the University of Belgrano offers courses in both Spanish and English. You can take classes in everything from Economics and Architecture to Engineering and Political Science.

This university is recognized as a distinguished higher education institution in Argentina, and it proudly offers modernized computer labs, well-equipped libraries and a wide variety of athletic programs for its students.

A Guide to Studying in Argentina

Types of Courses
Your choice varies from languages to humanities to technology and science. To facilitate easier understanding of study courses and interaction with teachers and classmates, Spanish language classes in Argentina are offered for those interested in learning the language. In fact, one of the most popular high school summer abroad programs in Argentina is the study of the Spanish language itself. Some of the other popular study abroad programs are in the fields of history, politics, and people of Argentina and Hispanic America.

Cost
There is no dearth of public, free, and private universities in Argentina that offer different study abroad programs in various fields of study.

Language
Language is not a problem for study abroad students as English, German, and French are understood and spoken even though the official language is Spanish.

Scholarships
A study abroad scholarship is not a problem for students with a good academic record and there are numerous study abroad organizations that offer scholarships for studying in Argentina.

Visa
Visa requirements for entry into the country are simple and easy to comply. With a completed application form you have to submit:

• one photograph
• a return ticket
• copy of your passport
• a letter from the institution that has accepted you as a study abroad student

Free Time
Argentina ranks among the leading tourists destinations in Latin America and is the most appropriate place to learn the tango.

Some of the most impressive natural marvels include the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Iguazu Falls, are awesome and outdoor activities like skiing, white water rafting, and mountaineering act as stress relievers for study abroad students looking for a break.

Your experience would also not be complete without a stop at:

• Patagonia, an amazing South American destination that’s home to the Andes Mountains and is located in both Argentina and Chile. Patagonia consists of some of the most beautiful mountains and lakes in the world, and offers activities such as hiking, whitewater rafting and golfing for tourists. The most southern tip of Patagonia is called Tierra del Fuego, and there you can go skiing and see penguin colonies.
• The Mendoza province, where you can hike the Andes Mountains or go horseback riding.
• The Colon Theater in Buenos Aires, considered one of the greatest opera houses in the world.