Sol Education Abroad: Study Abroad in Argentina

Both of my teacher and my host mom does not speak English, which was kind of painful but was really helpful. The teachers there were nice and patient. They understand that students have severe language barriers so they tried to explain in different ways in Spanish to make sure we understand it.

The directors of Sol also arranged a variety of cultural trips around the city, outside of the city and even outside of the country. One of the directors graduated with a tourism degree. So through him and the other guides we had, I now know a lot about the culture and history of Argentina!

Great experience! The program directors did an awesome job planning our trip and I enjoyed every moment! I really enjoyed the opportunity to participate in service projects in-country. Raúl, Beatriz, and Kevin did a great job making sure we had a fun time and got to experience the country. Traveling with Sol was a fantastic introduction to international travel and I look forward to my next trip abroad.

I traveled to BA with SOL after studying abroad in Costa Rica and Oaxaca. I loved the city of Buenos Aires. I liked the porteños, also. I enjoyed Academia Buenos Aires more than the universities in Costa Rica and Oaxaca. They have a teaching style that is very effective and unmatched by the other universities including my home university. I was there for an intense 2 week course and that is probably the reason that I didn't get to see much of the city other than what I saw while walking to and from school. I felt safe in BA even at night with the exception of a cultural dinner that was held in the same area and at the same time that an anti-U. S. protest was taking place. I was surprised that the event was not cancelled after the State Department issued a warning. I look forward to returning to BA someday for vacation. I felt that the cultural excursions could use an upgrade. They did not measure up to the ones in Costa Rica and Oaxaca.

The Spanish immersion program through SOL Education in Buenos Aires, Argentina is hands-down the best experience I've had in my undergraduate career. The city is amazing with lots of things to do during the day and at night, the classes are very welcoming and really help with learning the language, and the staff (Raul, Kevin, and Beatriz) is top notch in providing a meaningful experience to every student. You are never bored as there is always either an activity planned or things that you can do that they recommend. The host families are also very welcoming as well and really make you feel like you are a true porteño!

I enjoyed my time in Argentina immensely. I was able to take great classes with a great professor. I came in with an intermediate to advanced level of Spanish already, so my review might be a bit different from another's experience. However, I had never taken a college-level Spanish class before. Now that I am back at my university, SOL's classes actually taught me more than advertised (this might have also been because our class at SOL went a bit beyond the book for our level).

I had a great homestay experience, and SOL was really helpful in finding us places during the holidays especially.

Here are some things that SOL did not have control over, but that people should know.

Future participants should know that if they are also a racial/ethnic minority, they will have a different experience, too. I am Asian-American, and this did affect my experience. When I would travel to places later in the day or in the evening, sometimes with friends, and I would hear people saying racial slurs about me. I knew it was about me because I was the only Asian on the metro platform, for instance. However, Buenos Aires also has a Chinatown and Korean neighborhood, so there are places where support can be found.

Really, take the time to explore Buenos Aires' various communities. Some of my favorite memories were meeting Armenian, Chinese, and Venezuelan immigrants in Buenos Aires. Some might say that Argentina is not really Latin America, but its history of immigration, treatment of the indigenous, and cultural mixing demonstrate how it is a New World country.

Buenos Aires is a beautiful city full of culture! I did a 3 week program with SOL from late December to mid January. It´s summer time in Argentina, so the weather was very warm! I loved living with a host family and doing all of the included cultural activities with SOL! Raul, Kevin, and Beatriz were so helpful and knowledgeable of this beautiful city! My eyes were opened to a whole new culture (and accent) when I studied abroad in Argentina! I made some amazing friends and memories. Some of my favorite memories were visiting Colonia, Uruguay and La Boca. I also loved El Cementerio in Recoleta. If you choose to do this program, bring lots of spending money because there are amazing markets (ferías) every weekend in Palermo, Recoleta, and San Telmo! Not only did my Spanish skills improve, but also my navigation skills!

Studying abroad with Sol was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My program director and SOLmates were all great people. Living with a host mom was also an incredible experience. My host mom was not only a good cook but also an intresting person to talk to. She made living in Argentina feel like home. This program is not only one of the most inexpensive but provides better trips than other programs.

Studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina was an experience that will forever change my life. Not only did I gain invaluable knowledge from the schools, society, and home that I was apart of, but I gained valuable friendships along the way that will last me a lifetime. Studying abroad has opened my eyes to how accessible the world is to us if we truly believe in a cause and a passion to send us to other places around the world. My friendships formed in Argentina will forever be a reminder as to how strong and heartfelt connections can be made around the world and that in every new place you visit, you pick up a new part of yourself that you never would have known without traveling.