Argentina
Accommodations and Accessibility
The IFSA team is ready to help you plan for various accommodations you might need abroad. We鈥檙e here to support you and help you prepare for a successful study abroad experience.
Early planning is key. First, it鈥檚 important to know that options for accommodations vary by country, city, and university. This makes it important to share your requests for academic, mental health, diet, religious practices, housing, physical disabilities, and other accommodations early in the planning process. Connect with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor or with our Health, Safety and Wellness team at hsw@ifsa-butler.org as soon as possible.
The information you share on your health and wellness and housing forms supports this process. After receiving these forms, our Health and Wellness team will follow up as needed to help you arrange accommodations you may need. Our goal is to plan carefully with your help, working with our Argentina team as needed.
Academic accommodation. Keep in mind that academic accommodations often need to be arranged after you arrive and finalize class selection. Count on IFSA for help.
Access. Buenos Aries has limitations for some due to its infrastructure and layout. Watch for uneven or broken sidewalks, high curbs and a lack of ramps that can make street crossings a challenge, and tricky access to public transportation. Many public spaces like museums and restaurants offer accommodation for individuals with different abilities. Talk to our team early to help you plan and make your experience as smooth as possible.
Additional resources:
- and How to Make Tourism More Inclusive & Accessible, The Wanderful Blog
- , Go Overseas
Mental and Physical Health
Maintaining your mental and physical health while abroad is a priority, and we鈥檙e ready to help you plan to support both.
Mental health. Your IFSA student insurance policy through (CISI) provides coverage for counseling and medical care for pre-existing mental health conditions. Students who are in therapy or counseling can choose to continue video calls with a home counselor, or arrange to work with a mental health provider in Argentina. Learn about our Health Safety and Wellness team. Your IFSA Enrollment Counselor is also an excellent resource.
Sports and fitness. Many IFSA students are student athletes. Your Enrollment Counselor can share health and fitness information ranging from where to find sports clubs, recreation facilities on and off campus, running and walking routes, hiking, dancing, polo, soccer, and rugby, plus information on nutrition. Soccer, or football, is a deeply ingrained part of Argentine culture and a source of national pride.
Check with the IFSA team about CISI insurance coverage for injuries sustained during sports. Injury sustained while participating in professional, amateur, or interscholastic athletics may not be covered under insurance.
Faith Communities
Studying abroad will likely introduce you to new religions and faith communities around the world. If you plan to practice your religion abroad, consider researching the customs, laws, and places of worship at your destination.
Argentina is accepting of religion, especially in a diverse city such as Buenos Aires. Freedom of worship is guaranteed by the Argentine Constitution. The Roman Catholic church often permeates Argentine politics, culture, and society, but its influence is not as strong as it used to be. About 63% of the population is Roman Catholic, with 25% actively practicing. Evangelics represent 15% of the population and 20% are atheist. Argentina has the sixth largest Jewish community in the world and the largest in Latin America. Most of the Jewish population is in Buenos Aires. Argentina also has the largest Muslim minority population in Latin America, estimated at 500,000.
More to explore:
Considerations for Women
Gender stereotyping and discrimination still occur in Argentina. Despite continuous improvements of rights and the influence of the Ni Una Menos (Not One Woman Less) movement (launched in 2015), unemployment affects women more than men. The country has a salary gap of 26% between men and women, and femicides have not decreased in the 21st century.
Argentinians generally follow traditional heterosexual gender roles with men as the primary earners and women taking on childrearing and household work. However, this is changing, and more and more women are working outside their homes. Latin America鈥檚 machismo culture is gradually changing. Piropos (cat calling) might occur but is frowned on.
claims that every woman in Argentina has experienced street harassment at least once. In 2016, the Buenos Aires federal district government began to treat street harassment as a misdemeanor crime; society reads it as gender-based violence.
The IFSA team will also provide safety tips and street sense to help you explore the city safely.
More to explore:
- , Nomadic Matt
- , World Nomads
- , Wander Argentina
Race and Ethnicity
Ethnic groups in Argentina include Italian, Spanish, French, and German, as well as a large Arab population, most of whom are from Syria or Lebanon. There are also many people of Chinese and Korean descent. During the last three decades, most immigrants have come from Latin American countries. There are small pockets of Afro-Argentine and Asian-Argentine communities throughout Argentina. Students of color should be prepared to stand out from the majority.
For some students, national identity plays a salient role while abroad, and some students are interested in learning more about their heritage. In Argentina, know that locals might be curious about your political views and be direct about these topics. They might openly criticize the U.S. and its citizens. There might be stereotypes or even misconceptions about what an American 鈥渓ooks like.鈥 If you are not perceived as White, locals might question your identity as an American. Common stereotypes relate to how U.S. culture is portrayed in popular TV and films. We encourage you to arrange a call with your Enrollment Counselor to help you plan for these experiences.
More to explore:
- AP News
- , Diversity Abroad
- Diversity Abroad
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Navigating your sexual orientation could be different abroad than it is at home. Buenos Aires is a top global destination for gay tourism. In 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage. In 2012, the government passed a gender identity bill that states gender is chosen and facilitates gender transition.
In Argentina, there are social organizations, community centers, and state and religious agencies dedicated to discussing and promoting non-discrimination and equality for all and advocating for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people.
More to explore:
- , an LGBTQIA+ travel network
- promotes LGBTQ+ rights
- , U.S. Department of State
- , travel and airport security
- Two Bad Tourists
- by the numbers
- an interactive map of gay-friendly bars, dance clubs, cafes and more
- , Argentina鈥檚 first LGBTQ+ organization , A non-profit organization serving lesbian and bisexual women
- , A federal organization that promotes equality
- , offers resources to eradicate discrimination ,The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association
- , Advocates for Trans Equality
More Support
From help managing money abroad to supporting first-generation college students, our professional advising staff and onsite teams are here for you.
On a budget? Ask your IFSA team in Buenos Aires for a list of free and more affordable activities.
Student Perspectives
Read about living and learning in Argentina: Student Stories.