How a Month in Buenos Aires Changed the Way Students Live at Home
Authored By:
There are countless differences between Argentina and the United States, not the least of which is that here on the Latin American side, it’s winter in July. During one of CIEE's Summer 2025 sessions, 36 Global Navigators spent four weeks of their summer vacations on the other side of the planet, braving the cold, getting to know a new culture, practicing a new language, and learning a whole lot in the process.
From the very beginning, Buenos Aires made a strong impression.
Here in Buenos Aires, life comes at you fast: the streets are filled with buses that don’t stop unless you wave down the driver, motorcycles that zip by and folks weaving through the chaos on their way to the many places they need to be. This hustle and bustle is contrasted by the way Argentines gather once they are settled inside or on the patio—they take their time, eating, chatting and enjoying each other’s company slowly, always lingering at the table.
For many students, these slower, more intentional moments quickly became a highlight of daily life.
“I love that the Argentinian culture makes it a priority to make dinner time a family endeavor,” said Global Navigator Caprice, 17. “After having dinner each night in Buenos Aires, my host family and I have long, fun, deep conversations after the meal. I really enjoy this time, and I want to bring this back with me to the United States.”
Food, however, is just one part of what connects people here.
Food is one of the many things that brings Argentines together—another one is soccer (fútbol!), which is nearly ubiquitous in Argentine culture. Coming from the states, where soccer is just one of a constellation of popular sports rather than the country’s north star, Global Navigators were thrown into an environment of fanaticism, where they quickly learned of the rivalry between the two main teams of Buenos Aires, Boca Juniors and River Plate.
For some students, immersion meant more than just watching from the sidelines.
“Now that I have a Boca Juniors jersey, I think I’m a fan for life!” said Caleb, 16.
Interested in spending a summer abroad with CIEE? Explore all of our high school summer programs today!
Related Posts
Making Friends in Argentina During a Summer Abroad
Exciting as it can be, there is no doubt that immersing yourself in a new country can be a challenging at times. In a brand new environment, and without your... keep reading
First Lessons Learned As a High Schooler Studying in Buenos Aires
“Active.” “Vibrant.” “Authentic.” “Patient.” “Diverse.” These are words that this summer's high school travelers, also known as CIEE Global Navigators, have used to describe Buenos Aires, based on impressions from... keep reading
Natural Wonder of the World: A Student Journey to Iguazú
After taking a short plane trip from Buenos Aires to Iguazú, our first stop was exploring the Triple Frontera, where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay meet, separated only by the river... keep reading