Courtesy of www.sxc.hu

See spectacular valleys, awe-inspiring glaciers, natural beauty and modern cities – all things that travelers and students find in Argentina.

Travel between cities is simple and cheap, so if you’re there for only one semester, you can still explore areas beyond your university. Buses travel during the day and night, providing all levels of comfort from the basic reclining seat to the full horizontal bed.

Your journeys are considerably easier if you know Spanish but you can get by with English. If money is a deciding factor in your study abroad location, Argentina is an ideal choice. The exchange rate is approximately three pesos to one U.S. dollar. Someone on a budget can still enjoy many of the countries finer offerings for a reasonable price.

The country has many cities that are great for study abroad students who want to learn Spanish. Someone looking for a fast-paced city should choose Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. This large cosmopolitan city is full of museums, parks, restaurants, bars and clubs, giving it a feel similar to Paris or New York. Its hostels are filled with international travelers and students taking advantage of all the attractions the city offers.

You can watch a traditional Tango show or taste some of Argentina’s famous meats at the local restaurants. And the city truly never sleeps because nightlife starts late in Argentina. A typical college student has dinner at about 11 p.m., leaves for the bar at about 2 a.m. and stays out until sunrise.

If nightlife isn’t your thing but you still want the cultural experience, an overnight bus ride to the second largest city in Argentina, Cordoba, is a wonderful mix of modern city life with natural surroundings. Its streets are lined with impressive colonial architecture, along with many modern buildings and parks.

Cordoba has the environment of a college town with several universities that attract students from all over the country. The students give Cordoba its young and energetic atmosphere, filling its nightclubs and jazz bars throughout the week.

One of the greatest draws to the city are the small towns surrounding it. By taking a bus ride from the central station you can reach one of many interesting towns in the nearby Sierras; towns such as Capilla del Monte, where a horse ride or hike into the hills is an unforgettable experience.

Outside of Cordoba and Buenos Aires – both big cities – there are sites to see in Argentina. Toward Chile students can visit Argentina’s wine country and the city of Mendoza. Along the Andes is the Patagonia, a cold expanse of natural wonders and space, culminating with Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. In northern Argentina, you will find more of the native culture and roads leading to Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil.

The mentality and lifestyle of many locals, especially outside of Buenos Aires, is very different from the standard in San Diego. There is a large emphasis placed on taking things easily, interacting with people and simply enjoying life. Conversations will go on for hours with no one seeming to be in a hurry. Many cities still take a siesta in the hot parts of the day, closing down their businesses to go home and rest or enjoy a cup of mate, a traditional bitter tea, with friends.

The hospitality, generosity, and warmth of the people – even toward outsiders – is incredible. Any student willing to immerse oneself in this environment will learn to look beyond one’s own way of thinking and see a much different view of the world.