5 Tips for Your Buenos Aires Study Abroad Adventure

Coined the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires earned the nickname because of its grand architecture similar to buildings in Madrid and Paris. At first glance, you might wonder what continent you’re on! Don’t let the aesthetics fool you – Buenos Aires is incomparable – full of Latin beauty and culture unique to this Argentinian city. 

As you plan your study abroad adventure in Buenos Aires, remember these tips:

KNOW YOUR ARGENTINIAN SPANISH

Argentinians speak a dialect called Rioplatense – known as River Plate Spanish. This is the dialect you’ll be hearing and practicing during study abroad in Buenos Aires. It’s reminiscent of a romantic language, like Italian, with a more rhythmic pace. Prepare to hear different pronunciations than the Spanish you learned at your university. Most notably, the “ll” becomes a “sh” sound, unlike the “ya” sound you might have formerly learned. Common vocabulary words are also different. For instance, strawberry is “fresa” in Spanish, but in Argentina, the word is “fresilla.”

PACK FOR THE RIGHT CLIMATE

Winter in the United States is summer in Buenos Aires, and vice versa! Depending on the term you study abroad in Buenos Aires, you’re either packing a summer wardrobe for October through March or multiple layers for April through September. The weather is mild, so even in the winter, the coldest days generally don’t dip below 50 degrees. Pack an umbrella and raincoat though – a typical day in Buenos Aires can bring hot sunshine one minute and a rainstorm the next. 

IT’S A MEAT-LOVING CITY

On almost every menu in Argentina, you’re going to find a lot of meat selections. Meat is a very prominent part of the Argentinian diet. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, have no fears, there are plenty of options for you to enjoy the local cuisine, including empanadas, pastries, provoleta, an Argentinian version of provolone cheese – grilled/fried until the cheese is gooey and crisp, and lots of gnocchi and pasta. These are some of the most common meat-dishes on the menus:

• Asado & Parrilla: a sizzling griddle of steak, pork, and sausage
• Chorizo: spicy Argentinian pork sausage
• Chimichurri: commonly used with grilled meats, this green salsa is made up of parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, olive oil, and chili pepper flakes
• Empanadas: pastry pockets filled with stewed meats, cheese, or veggies
• Choripan: toasted sandwich filled with Argentinian sausage, salsa criolla, and chimichurri

FÚTBOL = MORE THAN A GAME

Put “attend a soccer game in Argentina” on the top of your study aboard bucket list because it’s something you definitely don’t want to miss! There are several Argentina teams to root and rally behind, including Boca Juniors, Independiente, Racing Club, River Plate, and San Lorenzo de Almagro. Whichever team you choose, it’s an experience you’re never going to forget. The atmosphere is lively and infectious, with fans singing chants, drums being played, and the crowd going passionately wild in support of their favorite teams. The fans cheer on their team throughout the entire game, no matter what the score, players’ performances, or weather conditions.

DISCOVER THE MAGINIFICENT CITY

Between classes, after classes, on weekends, or whenever you have free time, explore Buenos Aires as much as possible! Visit Casa Rosada, walk through Jardín Japonés, browse through one of the many bookstores, be in awe at the art pieces in MALBA, or learn to tango! Buenos Aires is also famous for its weekend fairs, like the Feria de Mataderos, where you can watch locals dancing, shop for leather goods, and eat delicious barbeque. The city is filled with activities, so you’ll always have something to do! 

Study abroad in Argentina and make the “Paris of South America” your classroom.

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