Destinations
The program will be based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, with two day trips to nearby destinations.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Called the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires is one of the most cosmopolitan cities of South America and has cultural offerings for everyone, ranging from myriad restaurants and historical sites to dance houses and expansive city parks. It has enough entertainment options to keep you satisfied for a lifetime, and indeed, many who visit end up staying forever. The city has a population of 3.5 million people, with a metro area containing 12 million more, making it a bustling hub of the country with a fast-paced backdrop to work and life.
Buenos Aires truly is a global city: you will hear many different languages spoken on the street and can find delicious international cuisine or wander the various ethnic neighborhoods. But at its core, its principal protagonists are the “porteños” - a proud and friendly people who will welcome you into their city and share with you its splendor. While they might heavily debate the pros and cons of the government and politicians, they’ll also be the first to proudly tell you that Buenos Aires is the finest city in the world.
Interwoven in the Buenos Aires portion of the program will be a day trip to a nearby “estancia” (an Argentine ranch) so that participants can visit a town outside of the capital city, while also getting to experience the traditional lifestyle and food of the Argentine countryside.
MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
Both the capital and largest city of the country of Uruguay, Montevideo offers the amenities of a big city while maintaining a relaxed, more low-key vibe than Buenos Aires. The city has a population of about 1.3 million people, which makes up one-third of the entire country. Montevideo has pleasant weather year-round, and it is ranked first for quality of life in Latin America, according to Mercer’s report. The city was established in 1724 by Spanish soldier Bruno Mauricio de Zabala during a dispute between Spain and Portugal. Nowadays, Montevideo offers a vibrant culture and delicious food and is a huge hub in the entrepreneurial and technological space.
Uruguay has always had an intriguing combination of being at the heart of South America, while still retaining its ties to Europe. As the continent’s second smallest country, it would surprise many to learn that Uruguay is a deeply introspective country, with one of the most progressive democracies in the world. Its progressive, risk-taking culture has led to a growing tourism industry, as well as a booming wine scene that is ripe for discovery.
Between their time in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, students will do a day trip to the Uruguayan town of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, located a quick ferry ride from the city of Buenos Aires. Renowned for its historic quarter, Colonia is a hodgepodge of Portuguese and Spanish colonial buildings, cobblestone roads, and assorted history-rich sites.
