Argentina

Argentina, "the silver one," is a country big enough to fascinate you endlessly, yet intimate enough to make you love it forever. Spend a year, summer, or semester learning Spanish and exploring the culture, history, and landscape.

Although an indigenous population still survives, the present day population combines Italian and Spanish heritage, as well as British, Irish, German, Polish, Arabic, Jewish, and newer immigrants from other Latin American countries. You may particularly notice the European lifestyle and architecture in Buenos Aires, the city from which Argentinean trends and styles flow outward.

As in many European and Latin American countries, Argentinean households sometimes include parents, children, and grandparents. Extended family usually lives nearby and family gatherings are a key part of Argentinean social life. As a member of an Argentinean family, you will find that your host father will work outside the house and your host mother may as well.

With your host siblings or new friends, you'll have fun doing a wide range of social activities, including going to parties, movies, or discos. You may play sports like soccer—the most popular, rugby, tennis, volleyball, basketball, or field hockey.

Academic Programs

The academic year and academic semester programs include high school study while living with a host family. YFU students attend both public and private schools. The type you attend will depend on your host family. A big difference that you will discover is that teachers rather than students change classes so your classmates will be with you all day, giving you a great chance to make good friends quickly. With those classmates, you'll study 12 to 14 compulsory subjects two to three times a week. You can choose from four fields: humanities, sciences, business, or technical. Outside of regular classes, you can choose to play sports or take computer or art classes.

Year and semester students can take a ten-day optional trip to Iguazu Falls or to southern Argentina, the cost of which includes transportation to and from Buenos Aires, meals, accommodations, and activities. The visa process for year and semester students can be complicated. Passport numbers will be needed several months in advance of departure, as YFU Argentina will need to report them to their Immigration Department early in the visa process. Your Admissions Counselor can provide additional information about the visa process.

Summer Program

Spanish Language and Argentinean Culture
This six-week YFU summer program offers you an opportunity to take Spanish classes while getting to know the beautiful country of Argentina. Classes will be limited to about 10 people so that you can learn more. In addition, you’ll take excursions to places like a colorful market and area schools to practice the language. You’ll polish your language skills by living with a family in one of three cities in Argentina. This homestay experience offers you a chance to experience Argentinean culture as Argentines do. As the grand finale to your stay, you can take an optional trip to Estancia.

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Online Resources

To learn more about Argentina, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, Spanish language dictionaries, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites
• Argentina National Tourism Office web site

"Traveling as an exchange student was the best experience of my life. Six weeks in Argentina just wasn't enough." - Kendra Cunningham

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: August , 2007