Buenos Aires

Located on the southern tip of the Río de la Plata, Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, as well as the country’s cultural and economic center. With around 3 million people living in the city of Buenos Aires and over 12 million in the greater metropolitan area, its influence over the country cannot be underestimated.

In many ways, Buenos Aires feels equal parts New York City, Madrid, and Paris. It offers world-class shopping and dining, unique architecture, beautiful parks and botanical gardens, inexpensive and efficient public transportation, and cultural and religious diversity. For any student looking to learn Spanish, experience life in a different culture, and live in a cosmopolitan city, Buenos Aires is a fantastic choice.

Each area of Buenos Aires is distinctive and offers visitors something unique. From the quiet streets and trendy shops in Palermo SoHo to the hustle and bustle of Barrio Norte, this is a city that has something for everyone. It’s a city that can be quiet and calm, while at other times loud and chaotic.

The residents of Buenos Aires, known as porteños (people of the port), come from many different cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. While most porteños are of Spanish or Italian descent and are Roman Catholic, other European countries, such as Portugal, Germany, and France, are represented in the population as well.

Porteños have an appreciation for music and dance, as Buenos Aires is the city where Tango was born. Originally found in the poorer suburbs of Buenos Aires, Tango wasn’t truly respected until it became popular in Paris in the 1920’s. Still loved by locals today, it plays a vital role in Argentine culture.

Since Argentina is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed from those in North America. The hot summer months of December, January and February can see temperatures climb to over 100°F, while the cooler winter months of June, July and August tend to be in the high 40s to lower 50s. Snow is very rare in Buenos Aires during the winter, but rain and hail are not.

UNIVERSIDAD DE BELGRANO

Located in the quiet residential neighborhood of Belgrano, Universidad de Belgrano was established in 1964 and now enrolls over 13,500 students, including 2,000 international students. The university is divided into 13 different schools that offer 33 different undergraduate and 20 graduate majors.

ASA students at Universidad de Belgrano can take Spanish language along with a variety of electives available in both English and Spanish. Semester students can take courses in English, Spanish, or a mix of both! An Intermediate or Advanced level of Spanish is required in order to enroll in electives taught in Spanish.

ASA encourages students to take part in the optional month-long Spanish Intensive Course, as it accomplishes two important goals while maximizing your time in Buenos Aires: it will prepare you to take classes in Spanish and help ease your transition into Argentine culture. Plus, everyday communication will prove to be a whole lot easier once you complete the Intensive Course!

ASA recommends the Intensive Course for students who have never taken Spanish before, for those who haven’t taken it since high school, and for anyone who wants to brush up.

Semester and Summer programs include 2 day excursions. Destinations may vary by term. Past terms have included trips to:

• Argentine Ranch in the Pampas – Spend a full day at a traditional ranch in the Argentine countryside. Enjoy the outdoors, including horseback riding, folk music and dancing, and delicious Argentine barbeque (called “asado”), prepared the old gaucho way!
• El Tigre – On the northern outskirts of Buenos Aires, where the Parana and Uruguay Rivers flow into the Río de la Plata, sits one of the world’s largest estuaries. We’ll take a boat ride, relax, shop and eat.
• Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay – Get to know another South American country! This beautiful and small Uruguayan colonial town has much to explore to fill the entire day. It was founded in 1680 and was declared Historic heritage for Humanity. We’ll enjoy a calm day walking around the historic area of this unique town.

Did you go abroad with ASA and have a memorable experience we should add to this list? Contact us! We'd love to hear from you!

Universidad de Belgrano
Semester/Summer Intensive Spanish program

• Requirements
  • Minimum GPA 2.5 (Students with GPA between 2.3-2.49 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with GPA of 2.29 or lower will not be considered.)
  • Language requirement: None. Open to students with any level of Spanish.
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Graduated from high school
  • Transcript from your college or university. Unofficial is ok. If you have attended more than one institution, you must submit a transcript from each institution.
  • ASA Application. To start a new application or continue an existing application, click here.
  • Scan of your valid passport that does not expire sooner than 6 months after the day you plan to return home from abroad. If you don’t have a valid passport, confirmation of an expedited passport application is required before you can be accepted into this program. Please submit your passport application by expedited service if you do not have a valid passport.
  • For Application Deadlines, please click the Cost & Dates tab.

Universidad de Belgrano
Summer Healthcare & Medical Spanish program

• Requirements
  • Minimum GPA 2.5 (Students with GPA between 2.3-2.49 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with GPA of 2.29 or lower will not be considered.)
  • Language requirement: High Intermediate Spanish level or higher
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Graduated from high school
  • Transcript from your college or university. Unofficial is ok. If you have attended more than one institution, you must submit a transcript from each institution.
  • Spanish placement test & interview with a professor to confirm your language level
  • ASA Application. To start a new application or continue an existing application, click here.
  • Scan of your valid passport that does not expire sooner than 6 months after the day you plan to return home from abroad. If you don’t have a valid passport, confirmation of an expedited passport application is required before you can be accepted into this program. Please submit your passport application by expedited service if you do not have a valid passport.
  • For Application Deadlines, please click the Cost & Dates tab. 
  • After acceptance: Proof of immunization with the following vaccines: Mumps, Rubella, Measles, Chicken Pox, Influenza and Pertussis.

Included

• ROOM & BOARD / ROOM ONLY (SEMESTER PROGRAMS): Choose between these 2 housing options:
  • Option A: Argentine homestay with daily breakfast and dinner included.
  • Option B: Shared apartment with fully equipped kitchen. Meals are not included.
• ROOM & BOARD (SUMMER PROGRAMS): Argentine homestay with daily breakfast and dinner included.
• TUITION for the maximum number of credits or courses indicated on the program course offerings page. Enrolling in more than the maximum number of credits/courses (if permitted by the host institution) will result in an additional fee.
• ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.
• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Final transcript is issued by the Universidad de Belgrano. Upon completion of the program, ASA will provide one free shipment of your final transcript to your U.S. institution.
• EXCURSIONS: Semester and Summer programs include 2 day excursions. Locations to be decided.
• CULTURAL ACTIVITIES in Buenos Aires (museum visits, walking tours, etc.)
• INTERNET ACCESS: Students will have free Internet access at their host institution and in their program housing.
• AIRPORT PICK-UP: Group ground transportation is provided from Buenos Aires (EZE) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date, by the designated time.
• SITE DIRECTOR: Students will have an on-site director to assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.
• MEDICAL INSURANCE: Comprehensive international medical insurance is included. Click here for details on benefits and coverage.
• VISA ADVISING: Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining their visa (if required for their term), but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance about which visa students will need and how to go about applying for one. Please click here and scroll down to “Student Visa Information” to find out if a visa is required for your program.
• PRE-DEPARTURE HANDBOOK & ON-SITE ORIENTATION
• SUBSCRIPTION TO SAFETURE SAFETY-ENHANCING MOBILE APP
• SUBSCRIPTION TO CISI Remote Behavioral and Mental Health Services: telephonic consultations between you and a U.S. mental health professional for the purposes of delivering counseling services, crisis intervention, assessment and follow up.
  
  

Not Included

• Round trip airfare and travel expenses to and from the program location
• Books, materials, lab fees
• Local transportation
• Personal expenses
• Meals if you live in a shared apartment. Daily lunch if you live in a homestay
• Laundry
• Meals on excursions
• Transportation from the airport if the student does not arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time
• Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program
• Visa / Residency Permit (if required). Reciprocity Fee for entry into Argentina, paid upon arrival at EZE airport (if required)

For students enrolling in more than one session, housing and other ASA services and benefits are not provided during the break between sessions.

If you need a budget or Costs of Attendance for your financial aid office, or if you simply want an estimate of the not-included costs listed above: