Argentina
Study abroad in Argentina, famous for its majestic mountains, colourful cities, and pro football players.
Why study in Argentina?
If you love food, football, and friendly people, then you’ll love studying in Argentina. Home to 42 million people, it’s one of the largest Spanish-speaking countries in the world. Here, you’ll find famous mountain ranges, rainforests, waterfalls, penguin colonies, and cosmopolitan cities. A student exchange to Argentina is a great way to learn Spanish and get a taste for Latin American culture.
I now feel very confident to have a conversation in Spanish and can understand just about everything in conversations in everyday life.
Sarah, Dunedin
Placements
You can choose to study in Argentina for as little as four weeks or as long as one year. Gap year students are welcome to apply but must be no older than 18.5 years upon departure. Our short placements are flexible and run between March and November. Academic year and semester students will attend a full-week orientation in Rosario, which includes full lodging, 25 hours of Spanish lessons, six hours of orientation workshops, and a cultural activity every day. There are also seven optional trips throughout the year to Patagonia, Ushuaia, the Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Mendoza, and Salta.
You will be placed in either Buenos Aires Province (excluding the capital), Santa Fe, Mendoza, Tucuman or Cordoba. These provinces enjoy mild weather, although Tucuman can get very hot in the summer. Students will most likely be placed in lowly-populated suburbs or rural areas, although they may be placed in cities. All of our host families are carefully vetted for safety and suitability. We conduct home interviews, inspections, and police checks to ensure our students are placed in a secure and supportive living environment.
The map below indicates the set regions where you can be placed in Argentina.
We aren’t currently offering exchanges to Argentina. Please check back again later.
Duration
Departs
Returns
Application deadline
Price
Covered expenses
Included in the fee:
- School and family documents for your student visa application
- Placement in a suitable host family and school
- Full board and lodging with a host family, excluding school lunches
- Pre-departure orientation in NZ and arrival orientation in Argentina
- Meet and greet at the airport in NZ and at the airport in Argentina
- Transfer to your host community from Buenos Aires airport (and back again)
- Monthly progress reports to your parents
- Ongoing monitoring by the host organisation
- 24/7 emergency assistance in Argentina and NZ
- Certificate of completion upon return
Other costs
Not included in the fee:
Flights
You are responsible for paying all domestic and international airfares between your home and Buenos Aires.
Insurance
You will be required to purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance prior to your departure.
Visas
All visa fees, translation fees, apostille certificates, and travel expenses are payable to the Argentine Embassy in Wellington
Spending money
We recommend allocating approximately $450 NZD spending money per month to cover things like transport, school lunches, and weekend activities.
Optional trips
It’s a good idea to save some money for optional trips organised by your host family or your host organisation in Argentina.
School setup
Depending on your school and subject choices, you may be required to pay for basic school fees, books, and equipment.
Eligibility
Students must be:
- Aged between 15 and 18.5 years prior to the programme start date
- A New Zealand Citizen or hold Permanent Residency
- Enrolled in a high school
- Willing to learn Spanish prior to and during the exchange
- Fit, well, and have a suitable personality profile
- Academically motivated
Visas
The student visa requirements for Argentina are a little stricter than for most countries. Students who plan to stay for longer than 90 days must apply for a student visa. The form-filling requires prompt action when the time comes and you may need to work to some tight deadlines. Please note the fees for the apostille certificates are not included in the programme price (they are often in the region of NZ$200-$300). You will also need to factor in travel costs to visit the Argentinian Embassy in Wellington.
Language
Argentina is a Spanish-speaking country. Students are required to study Spanish prior to departure and speak the language during the programme.
Financing and scholarships
We know that financing your exchange might be a bit of a challenge, but don’t let that hold you back from pursuing the experience of a lifetime! NZIIU offers a select number of scholarships each year to exceptional students who require some financial assistance, as well as fundraising kits.
Explore now »NZIIU fundraising kit »
Meet our past students
Meet our NZIIU Student Ambassadors at one of our information day events! These students who have recently been on exchange have done it all, and are here to share their knowledge, experiences, and stories from exchange.
Learn More »