Preparing to study abroad in Buenos Aires, 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.  

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.  

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.