Is Argentina a Good Place to Study Abroad? An Honest Review for International Students

Are you considering studying abroad in Argentina but don’t know if Argentina is the right fit for you?

Then this post is for you!

So, if you’re wondering, is Argentina a good place to study abroad?

Welcome! This is for you!

Studying abroad in Argentina is both an exciting and challenging experience, and studying in Argentina will not be for everybody, as you have to adjust to some degree of Latin American charm and chaos!

I have been through a lot of the ups and downs of studying in Argentina firsthand, as I did both an exchange semester and two Master’s Degrees in Buenos Aires.

I first arrived in Argentina in 2016 for a six-month exchange semester as part of my undergraduate degree in Denmark.

After finishing my undergraduate degree from Buenos Aires in 2017, I started a Master’s Degree in Organizational Psychology at Universidad de Belgrano, a private university located in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Belgrano.

And because one degree clearly wasn’t enough for me (restless soul, I know!), I started my second Master’s Degree in Political Science with a focus on Latin American Studies at Universidad Torcuato di Tella in 2018.

Between 2021 and 2022, I completed both degrees while still living and working in Buenos Aires.

Before we dive into the details, I want to highlight that my personal experience is based on studying in Buenos Aires, and studying somewhere else in Argentina might give you a completely different experience!

I’ll walk you through why studying abroad in Argentina is worth it, and share my best tips, lessons learned, and honest insights from years of living the international student life in Buenos Aires.

Let’s dive into why you should choose to study abroad in Argentina!

The Benefits of Studying in Argentina: An Honest Review for International Students

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Why Study Abroad in Argentina? The Benefits of Studying in Argentina

Argentina has become an increasingly popular study abroad destination for international students, thanks to its high-quality universities, unique local culture, and mostly a relatively affordable cost of living (however, with the high inflation rates, this is changing!).

Here are some of the top reasons why you should choose to study abroad in Argentina!

Discover Argentine Culture

One of the primary reasons to study abroad in Argentina is to immerse yourself in Argentine culture.

In Argentine culture, family and community are highly important. Argentines place a high value on spending time with loved ones; it is normal to have spontaneous meet-ups with friends to share a mate (a strong tea-like traditional infusion drink in Argentina) or gather for an Argentine traditional barbecue, called asado.

Argentina is also known for its passion for music and dance. Tango is the most famous and internationally recognized Argentine dance. During your time studying abroad in Argentina, you should try the tango! You can take tango lessons, attend milongas (tango dance parties), or even watch professional tango performances.

Argentina is also a great country to study abroad for anybody enjoying soccer/football. Argentines are extremely passionate about their soccer, and you can easily find local soccer matches to attend or even local neighborhood teams to join for a soccer match. 

Improve Your Spanish

One of the main benefits of studying in Argentina is that you will be able to improve your Spanish language skills!

Since Argentina is a Spanish-speaking country, you will have plenty of opportunities to practice and improve your language skills during your time there.

In my experience, living in a country where you are forced to speak Spanish every time you go outside your door is one of the best and most effective ways to become fluent in a new language.

Studying abroad in Argentina gives you the chance to learn regional dialects and slang unique to Argentina.

Argentine Spanish, also known as Rioplatense Spanish, has its own distinct vocabulary, pronunciation, and local Argentine slang that you may not encounter in other Spanish-speaking countries.

One of the best ways to improve your Spanish while studying abroad in Argentina is to take advantage of programs and local events to practice your Spanish!

Many universities in Argentina organize buddy programs for exchange students and local Argentine students. The buddy programs pair you up with an Argentine student who wants to learn your language or improve their English, while it gives you a person to practice speaking Spanish with and ask questions about Argentina.

There are also many opportunities for doing language exchange cafes and meet-ups through online platforms like MeetUp, Internations, and CouchSurfing. Search through their events pages to find the events for language exchanges.

Before you leave to go study abroad in Argentina, it is also a good idea to brush off your Spanish with some private online Spanish classes at Italki. At Italki, you can even find native Spanish speakers from Argentina to improve your Spanish with!

Read the Ultimate Guide to Spanish in Argentina

Explore Argentina

The possibility of exploring many of the beautiful places to visit in Argentina is another great reason why you should choose to study abroad in Argentina!

Argentina is the world’s eighth-largest country and features everything from vast landscapes and snow-covered mountains to beautiful cities.

Spend the weekend exploring the natural beauty of the Iguazu Falls, sipping wine in Mendoza, or watching wildlife and hiking in Patagonia.

There are plenty of places to explore and Natural Wonders to discover in Argentina! 

Learn About Argentina’s Economy

Studying abroad in Argentina allows you to learn about complex macroeconomic phenomena like inflation and currency devaluation.

It might sound super nerdy, and it properly also is, but living long-term in Argentina was for me like living inside a gigantic macroeconomic course.

Argentina’s continuous economic crisis makes economic issues very real. After having had to live them firsthand, you gain an invaluable understanding of how they impact the country’s economy and society. 

By learning about Argentine history and economy, you can gain a unique perspective on economics and the complexities of how Argentina ended up in this particular economic situation.

Try Local Argentine Food

Argentine food has a lot of European influences from the migration flows Argentina experienced in the end of the 1880s and early 1900s.

Traditional Argentine dishes feature yummy foods like empanadas, traditional asado (barbecue), and pizza. But you shouldn’t miss out on trying Argentine sweets such as dulce de leche, local ice cream, and alfajores!

Argentina is also famous for its wines – especially, the Malbec red wine from the Mendoza region is a famous wine to try in Argentina!

Studying abroad in Argentina allows you to try new foods and flavors, expanding your culinary horizons.

Living in Argentina on a Student Budget

Argentina used to be a relatively cheap study-abroad destination when I studied there. The economic crisis in Argentina makes the cost of living change a lot all the time, but if you come with savings from abroad, Argentina is a pretty budget-friendly destination.

Argentina is very much a cash-based economy, which can take some getting used to. You should familiarize yourself with the best ways to exchange money in Argentina to make sure you save where you can.

The best ways to exchange money in Argentina are either via online services such as Western Union or by bringing American dollars in cash to exchange at exchange offices.

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Preparing to Study Abroad in Argentina

Planning your trip to study abroad in Argentina can be a bit overwhelming. Where to start?

In this section, I want to take you through some of the most important things to keep in mind when you are preparing for your study-abroad adventure in Argentina!

Language: Brush Off Your Spanish

When you study abroad in Argentina, you should expect all your classes to be in Spanish.

So, if you don’t feel confident with your Spanish, it’s a good idea to brush up on your Spanish before you embark on studying in Argentina.

For exchange students, some universities, such as Torcuato di Tella, do offer classes in English or classes taught in Spanish, but only to exchange students.

However, if you plan on studying for a full university degree in Argentina, you expect all classes, presentations, and exams to be in Spanish. 

So, it is a good idea to start with online classes at platforms such as Italki before you move abroad to Argentina to help you brush up on your Spanish. 

Choose Your Study Abroad Destination in Argentina

When choosing your study abroad destination in Argentina, there are several factors to consider. One of the first things is the location of the university.

Are you looking for a big city experience in Buenos Aires or a more relaxed atmosphere in Córdoba or Mendoza?

Each city offers its own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to research each option before making a decision.

You should also consider the cost of living in each city. Córdoba and Mendoza are generally cheaper than Buenos Aires.

However, it might be easier to find housing options in Buenos Aires due to the city’s high number of international students and student housing. 

Student Visa

To study abroad in Argentina, you need to apply for a student visa! For most countries, you can apply for a student visa once you have arrived in Argentina.

However, you should always check with the Argentine embassy in your home country or the local university in Argentina what the correct way is to apply for an Argentine student visa in your case. 

Let’s look a bit at the different options for student visas in Argentina:

Student Visa for Exchange Students in Argentina

For studying an exchange semester in Argentina, you will get a temporary student visa for the time you are staying for the exchange semester.

Most universities will be able to help you out and provide you with most of the necessary documentation. You will still need to bring some personal information with you. 

You should double-check with your host university in Argentina what is needed for your temporary student visa in Argentina

You do need to get the appointment for the Migration Office yourself.

Student Visa for Full-Time Students in Argentina

To study for a full university degree in Argentina (whether it is an undergraduate or a Master’s degree), you need a long-term student visa for regular full-time students. 

A long-term student visa is valid for one year at a time. It doesn’t matter if your degree takes two or three years; you will only be granted a one-year student visa at a time.

You can request the renewal of your student visa 90 days before your visa expires. You request the renewal via the Migration Office’s online portal, Radex, where you are asked to submit documentation of the process of your studies.

Read more in my guide on how to get a student visa in Argentina!

Normally, a student visa is only valid for the time you have courses to attend at the university in Argentina. For Master’s degree programs, you can get a student visa for two years.

If you have a legitimate reason to stay beyond two years in Argentina, such as conducting research for your thesis in Argentina, you can request an extension of your student visa for another year from the Migration Office.

I did present a request to extend my student visa beyond the two years of my degree, and the Argentine Migration Office granted me a third year without any trouble.

After three years of legal residency with a student visa, you can apply for permanent residency in Argentina if you are a citizen outside MERCOSUR. If you are a citizen of a MERCOSUR country (Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), you can get permanent residency in Argentina after only two years.

You should always double-check the requirements for a student visa for non-Mercosur citizens and a student visa for Mercosur citizens on the Migration Office’s website.

Housing & Living Costs in Argentina

Housing and living costs are some of the most important factors to consider when preparing to study abroad in Argentina.

Local universities in Argentina don’t offer on-campus accommodation, so you need to find accommodation yourself.

In Buenos Aires, there are many different housing options, including student houses, shared apartments, and renting a private apartment.

Student houses and shared apartments are also common among international students, allowing you to split the cost of rent and utilities with roommates.

When it comes to living costs, Argentina is relatively affordable compared to other study-abroad destinations. Apart from the cost of rental, other living expenses you should take into account when studying abroad in Argentina are groceries, transportation, nights out, and trips around Argentina.

The cost of living in Argentina can vary depending on the city you choose to study in. Buenos Aires is generally more expensive than smaller cities like Córdoba or Mendoza.

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Final Thoughts: Is Argentina a Good Place to Study Abroad?

Absolutely! Argentina is a great place to study abroad, especially if you’re looking for more than just a classroom experience.

Despite the ups and downs and plenty of hard work along the way, I wouldn’t trade my years studying abroad in Argentina for anything in the world.

Argentina offers high-quality universities, internationally recognized degrees, and an active student culture, particularly in the larger cities like Buenos Aires.

Public and private universities attract students from all over the world, and tuition fees are often significantly lower than in most European countries or North America. Combined with a relatively affordable cost of living, Argentina is an appealing option for long-term study abroad.

Beyond academics, studying abroad in Argentina is a deeply cultural experience. Daily life is immersive, from speaking Spanish and navigating local bureaucracy to sharing maté in parks and experiencing Argentine social life firsthand.

Adapting the Argentine lifestyle, classroom culture, and university bureaucracy is not always easy, and that’s part of the point!

Living and studying in Argentina teaches adaptability, independence, and resilience in a way few destinations do. And you might just end up falling as much in love as I did, so that you end up staying longer than your university time in Argentina!