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Only one city in Latin America appears in the top 25 of the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2022. Buenos Aires has managed to lead as the best city for students in the region for several years, and it doesn’t surprise since it has a diverse ecosystem of high-quality universities, international students and affordable cultural.
As a student at the University of Buenos Aires, I can help you with everything you need to know about studying in the ‘Paris of South America.’
What should I bring with me?
When you’re moving to a new country, even for a few months, it’s helpful to make a list of things to take with you. Luggage space can be limited so it’s best to pack light and buy some things when you arrive in Buenos Aires.
Aside from the documentation needed for enrolment and visa procedures, I recommend that you bring all the technology you will need like your laptop, tablet, phone charger and anything else that might come in handy for your studies. Remember to carry a C or I plug adapter too, as the plug sockets in the country differ to the rest of Latin America.
If you’re coming to Buenos Aires in the summer, the city can get very humid and the heat is intense when you’re not used to it. Try to bring light and comfortable clothing for the daytime, plus some nicer outfits for the endless nightlife.
If you plan to spend winter here, Buenos Aires very rarely reaches below 0°C temperatures and snow is rare. The last time it snowed in the city was in 2007, so you won’t need super warm clothes.
You should also pack a very good pair of sneakers. You’ll need them as you’ll do a lot of walking around the city. It’s common to have classes in different buildings across campus, too.
There’s a huge amount of green space in Buenos Aires, like Bosques de Palermo and Reserva Ecológica, so it’s helpful to have comfortable footwear if you want to make the most of the city’s outdoor activities.
Should I book accommodation before arriving in Argentina?
When I first came to Argentina, I went straight from the airport to a student flat that I found on the internet. I was a little anxious and desperate about getting a place to stay, so I decided to make a reservation from my home country that cost me $50 USD as a deposit.
I had a big surprise when I saw my room. It was three times smaller than it looked in the pictures and everything was out of place, not a good environment for studying. Thankfully, my father had decided to come to the city to help me settle in on my first few days and I had made a hotel reservation for him. I ended up staying with him at the hotel until I found a new place.
I can recommend booking a hotel or hostel for your first days in Buenos Aires, before you arrive. Once in the city, you can make a better choice about where to stay and you’ll be able to view the apartments before you move in.
Alternatively, you can ask your university if they can provide you with accommodation or at least a list of reputable student housing for you to choose from.
I have lived in three different neighborhoods while studying in Buenos Aires: Colegiales, Palermo and Recoleta. Each of these places has a unique lifestyle but all of them are equally beautiful and cultured.
Be aware that apartments or student residencies usually increase their rent every six months. If you’re an exchange student this might not be an issue but discuss this with the landlord or owner before taking on an apartment or room.
Do I need to learn the language?
According to the English Proficiency Index 2021 (EF), Argentina has the highest level of English in Latin America and ranks 30 out of the 112 countries evaluated. If you have zero knowledge of Spanish but you can speak some English, you should survive. However, keep in mind that some courses do require a specific level of Spanish.
Even if you study a course that’s fully taught in English, it’s beneficial to learn at least the basics of the language for everyday situations. Apps like Duolingo can help a lot with this.
Another way of improving your language skills is direct communication with native speakers, and events like Mundo Lingo (where Argentinians and foreigners meet to exchange their ideas in a bar) are very effective not only in practicing your Spanish but in making new friends too.
The University of Buenos Aires has a language department, where you can take short courses in Spanish for an extra fee. People in Buenos Aires are very helpful, so don’t be ashamed if your Spanish doesn’t sound perfect.
As an international student, I’ve found it important to set a budget. Prices in Buenos Aires can fluctuate due to inflation, but you can research supermarket prices online from your home country. Check out COTO, Carrefour, Dia and Jumbo.
To give you a glimpse of what it can cost to live in the city, these are some of the activities I’ve paid for recently:
Dinner at a rooftop bar in Puerto Madero, $30 USD
Lunch or dinner at a deli two blocks away from home. $4 USD
An afternoon at a local restaurant famous for its Milanesas, $13 USD
Bus ride to university, 12¢ USD
Monthly rent for my student accommodation, $300 USD
Weekly food shop at the supermarket, $60 USD
The exchange rate from USD to pesos can be confusing, as the country has different exchange rates. If you will receive money every month, you can ask the bank or agency about which exchange rate will apply.
The city has plenty of free cultural activities to keep costs down. You can find museums, galleries, palaces and even theaters with free or discounted tickets. Sometimes these activities are announced on official websites of the city of Buenos Aires, like turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar.
Buenos Aires: a place of infinite possibilities
My biggest piece of advice is to stay open-minded. Moving away from home can feel lonely if you’re travelling by yourself, but Buenos Aires is a city full of opportunities to challenge yourself and experience new things.
Get involved in your university’s activities for international students and check out some of the city’s cultural activities to help you meet new people and settle in. You might make friendships that last a lifetime.
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Preparing to study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gilberto Hernandez
Updated May 23, 2022Save
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Only one city in Latin America appears in the top 25 of the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2022. Buenos Aires has managed to lead as the best city for students in the region for several years, and it doesn’t surprise since it has a diverse ecosystem of high-quality universities, international students and affordable cultural.
As a student at the University of Buenos Aires, I can help you with everything you need to know about studying in the ‘Paris of South America.’
What should I bring with me?
When you’re moving to a new country, even for a few months, it’s helpful to make a list of things to take with you. Luggage space can be limited so it’s best to pack light and buy some things when you arrive in Buenos Aires.
Aside from the documentation needed for enrolment and visa procedures, I recommend that you bring all the technology you will need like your laptop, tablet, phone charger and anything else that might come in handy for your studies. Remember to carry a C or I plug adapter too, as the plug sockets in the country differ to the rest of Latin America.
If you’re coming to Buenos Aires in the summer, the city can get very humid and the heat is intense when you’re not used to it. Try to bring light and comfortable clothing for the daytime, plus some nicer outfits for the endless nightlife.
If you plan to spend winter here, Buenos Aires very rarely reaches below 0°C temperatures and snow is rare. The last time it snowed in the city was in 2007, so you won’t need super warm clothes.
You should also pack a very good pair of sneakers. You’ll need them as you’ll do a lot of walking around the city. It’s common to have classes in different buildings across campus, too.
There’s a huge amount of green space in Buenos Aires, like Bosques de Palermo and Reserva Ecológica, so it’s helpful to have comfortable footwear if you want to make the most of the city’s outdoor activities.
Should I book accommodation before arriving in Argentina?
When I first came to Argentina, I went straight from the airport to a student flat that I found on the internet. I was a little anxious and desperate about getting a place to stay, so I decided to make a reservation from my home country that cost me $50 USD as a deposit.
I had a big surprise when I saw my room. It was three times smaller than it looked in the pictures and everything was out of place, not a good environment for studying. Thankfully, my father had decided to come to the city to help me settle in on my first few days and I had made a hotel reservation for him. I ended up staying with him at the hotel until I found a new place.
I can recommend booking a hotel or hostel for your first days in Buenos Aires, before you arrive. Once in the city, you can make a better choice about where to stay and you’ll be able to view the apartments before you move in.
Alternatively, you can ask your university if they can provide you with accommodation or at least a list of reputable student housing for you to choose from.
I have lived in three different neighborhoods while studying in Buenos Aires: Colegiales, Palermo and Recoleta. Each of these places has a unique lifestyle but all of them are equally beautiful and cultured.
Be aware that apartments or student residencies usually increase their rent every six months. If you’re an exchange student this might not be an issue but discuss this with the landlord or owner before taking on an apartment or room.
Do I need to learn the language?
According to the English Proficiency Index 2021 (EF), Argentina has the highest level of English in Latin America and ranks 30 out of the 112 countries evaluated. If you have zero knowledge of Spanish but you can speak some English, you should survive. However, keep in mind that some courses do require a specific level of Spanish.
Even if you study a course that’s fully taught in English, it’s beneficial to learn at least the basics of the language for everyday situations. Apps like Duolingo can help a lot with this.
Another way of improving your language skills is direct communication with native speakers, and events like Mundo Lingo (where Argentinians and foreigners meet to exchange their ideas in a bar) are very effective not only in practicing your Spanish but in making new friends too.
The University of Buenos Aires has a language department, where you can take short courses in Spanish for an extra fee. People in Buenos Aires are very helpful, so don’t be ashamed if your Spanish doesn’t sound perfect.
Testimonials
How much does it cost to live in Buenos Aires?
As an international student, I’ve found it important to set a budget. Prices in Buenos Aires can fluctuate due to inflation, but you can research supermarket prices online from your home country. Check out COTO, Carrefour, Dia and Jumbo.
To give you a glimpse of what it can cost to live in the city, these are some of the activities I’ve paid for recently:
Dinner at a rooftop bar in Puerto Madero, $30 USD
Lunch or dinner at a deli two blocks away from home. $4 USD
An afternoon at a local restaurant famous for its Milanesas, $13 USD
Bus ride to university, 12¢ USD
Monthly rent for my student accommodation, $300 USD
Weekly food shop at the supermarket, $60 USD
The exchange rate from USD to pesos can be confusing, as the country has different exchange rates. If you will receive money every month, you can ask the bank or agency about which exchange rate will apply.
The city has plenty of free cultural activities to keep costs down. You can find museums, galleries, palaces and even theaters with free or discounted tickets. Sometimes these activities are announced on official websites of the city of Buenos Aires, like turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar.
Buenos Aires: a place of infinite possibilities
My biggest piece of advice is to stay open-minded. Moving away from home can feel lonely if you’re travelling by yourself, but Buenos Aires is a city full of opportunities to challenge yourself and experience new things.
Get involved in your university’s activities for international students and check out some of the city’s cultural activities to help you meet new people and settle in. You might make friendships that last a lifetime.
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