Study Abroad in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is truly a brilliant and multifaceted cosmopolitan city, exuding a flavour of both European sophistication and Latin American passion, and defining itself as the capital city of South America.
"...known as the Paris of South America..."
European and Latin American history...
Celebrated for its unique Euro-Latin American culture, a large majority of the residents of Buenos Aires are descendents of Spanish founders and Italian and French immigrants from the early 18th and 19th centuries that came to Argentina and together created their own Europe outside of Europe.
Buenos Aires is made up of more than 47 distinct neighbourhoods, such as the trendy, shop-filled and tree-lined Palermo, residential and upscale Belgrano, central and architecturally rich Recoleta, and traditional, bohemian San Telmo.
Buenos Aires is profoundly beautiful and deliciously eclectic in every aspect. No other city in the Americas offers quite as much: international dining, traditional cafes, intimate music shows, global concerts, city parks, world class shopping, tango shows, soccer games, polo competitions, bars and nightclubs, art exhibits and museums, the list never ends in the city that never sleeps.
What to do in Buenos Aires:
- Make like a local and spend hours talking with friends at a café, the epicentre of social life in Buenos Aires
- Stroll through "revolutionary" Plaza de Mayo, site of the President's "Pink House", the National Cathedral and historic home of political protest
- Learn the bold and elegant steps of tango, and follow it up with a tango dinner/show in San Telmo, cradle of the national dance
- Visit Recoleta Cemetary, prestigious "city of the dead" and resting place of the iconic Eva (Evita) Perœn
- Sink your teeth into one of Argentina's famous steaks with an asado (Argentine barbeque) at a local parilla restaurant
- Spend a day appreciating Latin American master works of art at the Museum of Fine Arts or the Museum of Latin American Art (MALBA)
- Make your way to a fútbol stadium to feel the fervor of Argentine fans, unlike any sporting event you'll ever witness
Studying Abroad in Buenos Aires? The Peso vs Foreign currency.
Is Buenos Aires affordable?
After the economic crisis of 2001, the Argentine peso lost its place among other strong world currencies, making the illustrious city suddenly incredibly affordable to travel, live and study abroad. Almost ten years later, Argentina has recovered from its financial worries, and although prices are not what they once were, the cost of living has remained very affordable on a foreign currency, allowing visitors to continue to take advantage of everything this city has to offer.
Is Buenos Aires Safe?
Like any large metropolitan city, Buenos Aires has its share of crime. However, for a capital city, Buenos Aires is said to be one of the safest in all of Latin America and as long as common precautions are taken, the same that would be taken in cities like Paris or New York, Buenos Aires will pose absolutely no threat to your safety while studying abroad.
Daily Life in Buenos Aires
- The culture of Buenos Aires is still true to its European roots, especially with regard to its food, music, and warm hospitality.
- Famous for its nightlife, Porteños generally begin their evenings with a long and lively dinner around 10PM, often revolving around a main dish of the world's finest beef and plenty of rich wine (with pastas and pizza also figuring prominently among the Italian-influenced Argentine cuisine).
- Late nights in Buenos Aires often turn into early mornings; dinner is regularly followed by coffee and dessert, a drink at a bar, a dance club, and a sunrise breakfast before heading home.
- Plenty of concerts, tango shows, and street performers create the city's backdrop from the afternoons until the wee hours of the morning.
- The public transportation system is the engine behind it all; taxis, the subte (the subway system), and buses transport the majority of porteños all day (and all night!) long.
Check out our activities in Buenos Aires page for more ideas about what to do in Buenos Aires!
Fast Facts
- Official Language: Spanish
- Population: 13 million (including surround areas)
- Over 47 neighbourhoods
- National dance: Tango
- National Sport: Polo
- National Drink: Mate tea
