Study Abroad in Latin America
Study in the artsy, culturally-complex, and developing region that is Latin America.
Lush rain forests. Staggering beaches. Booming urban centers home to the arts, sports, and business. When you study abroad in Latin America, it's both challenging and exciting to keep up with its dynamic and rapidly evolving cultural landscape.
The diverse, twenty-odd nations of Latin America were born of a mixture of glorious indigenous civilizations, immigrants, and landscapes, all united by Spanish and Portuguese language. Whether you want to study literature in Mexico, explore rainforests in Costa Rica, or get an inside look into the performing arts scene in Argentina, we have the study abroad programs to meet your needs and abilities. Perhaps you want to improve your Spanish language skills abroad in Chile or are looking to explore the cultural charm of the Dominican Republic.
How to Study Abroad in Latin America
With CIEE study abroad programs in South America spanning all across the region, you can study what you want, where you want. Add cultural excursions, homestays, volunteer opportunities, and diverse coursework into the mix, and you have the recipe for a successful college study abroad experience. Start your application today!
Countries to Study Abroad in Latin America
Costa Rica
Study abroad in Costa Rica with CIEE and spend your time camping, hiking, snorkeling, or exploring rural Costa Rica through site visits and a homestay.
Argentina
Study abroad in Argentina for a semester, summer, or year and enjoy an immersive, cultural experience in the most popular destination in South America.
Mexico
Study abroad in Mexico for a year, semester, summer, or winter term and become immersed through community service, and cultural excursions.
Chile
Study abroad in Chile with CIEE, and immerse yourself in rich, local and regional culture with programs in the dynamic cities of Santiago, and Valparaiso.
Dominican Republic
Spend time exploring the challenges facing a developing nation that is, nevertheless, the Caribbean’s foremost tourist destination.
Trending Study Abroad Programs in Latin America
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Study Program
People travel from all over the globe to dip into the cultural treasures here
- Big City
- Host Institution
- Language Immersion
- Monteverde, Costa Rica
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
Monteverde the place to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most astonishing biodiversity.
- Small City
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Study Program
January in Buenos Aires is designed for students interested in exploring Argentinian identity and culture.
- Big City
- Monteverde, Costa Rica
- Study Program
Wake up to the sound of howler monkeys at a unique biological station, on the doorstep of the 57,000-acre Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
- Small City
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Study Program
- Part-Time Internship
...for 1, 2, or 3 term blocks!
Our Open Campus Block program allows you to start studying in Buenos Aires, then study in two other countries in one term.
- ASU Courses
- Big City
- Volunteering
- Yucatan, Mexico
- Study Program
Merida is famous worldwide for its efforts to preserve and promote culture.
- ASU Courses
- Small City
Study in up to 3 Cities this Semester
With CIEE's open campus model, you can design your very own study abroad semester program to include up to three different locations. Feel free to build your own program using our custom study abroad tool, spin the globe, or take a look at experiences around some of our most popular open campus combinations!
Questions about Latin America Study Abroad
If you’re wondering, “Where are the best places to study abroad in Latin America?” we’d recommend looking into the following destinations:
- Argentina: A mix of cultures and people perfect for a student interested in the arts, nature, economics, and more!
- Chile: A great destination for students looking to be in a modern, dynamic capital city full of culture and traditions.
- Costa Rica: A biodiverse paradise best suited for students passionate about nature, hands-on research, and cultural immersion.
- The Dominican Republic: A historically and culturally charming destination for students looking to improve their Spanish and explore Dominican culture.
- Mexico: A unique destination well-suited for students looking for an affordable, culturally diverse location with natural wonders.
The cost of studying abroad in Latin America varies depending on the specific program that you choose and how long you plan to study abroad for. For detailed cost information, we recommend researching each individual Latin America study abroad program page.
For costs not included in your program’s outlined fees, it’s important to consider factors surrounding your individual journey while abroad.
Read more: How Much Does it Cost to Study Abroad?
Yes, Latin America is safe for students to study abroad, but as with any major city, students should take certain precautions to keep themselves and others safe. We advise students to travel in safe areas of the city, keep their personal belongings secure, and travel in groups when possible.
For more information, visit Safety at CIEE.
Latin America is a great study abroad destination for students looking to be in a culturally diverse region with beautiful landscapes and top-rated universities. With study abroad programs spanning across five countries, CIEE allows students to pursue study abroad programs in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico.
Reasons to study abroad in Latin America include:
- Improving your Spanish language skills
- Completing diverse coursework
- Trying new cuisines
- Engaging in the local community through internships and volunteer work
- Immersing yourself in a new culture
Put simply, yes! Students can study Spanish abroad in Latin America on one of CIEE’s programs. By immersing yourself in a Spanish-speaking location, you’ll quickly advance your Spanish language skills both inside and outside of the classroom.
Whether you’re a beginner or have a high level of Spanish language proficiency, studying abroad in a Spanish-speaking country will undoubtedly improve your Spanish skills! For a fast-track language program, check out our Summer Intensive Spanish Language program in Argentina! For less intense language learning, we’d recommend a program like our Liberal Arts program in Santiago where you supplement elective courses with a Spanish language class.
While the best study abroad programs in Latin America is quite subjective, we can provide you with a list of some of our most popular study abroad programs in Latin America:
- Sustainability + the Environment (Monteverde)
- Liberal Arts (Buenos Aires)
- Tropical Ecology + Conservation (Monteverde)
- Summer Global Internship (Monteverde)
- Open Campus Block (Monteverde)
- Liberal Arts (Santiago de los Caballeros)
- & more!
