Ed note: Because study abroad application deadlines for Fall ‘10 are fast approaching, every posting day from February 1 to February 12, we’ll be featuring a different NYU Study Abroad site to help you decide where you want to be constantly drunk for the coming semester. Check them all out here.

After spending last semester in Buenos Aires, I loved it so much I decided to return this semester – right back to summer. (Damn, the southern hemisphere is great).

Buenos Aires (BA), often called the “Paris of South America,” is actually not much like Europe. I find myself surprised at how much it feels like New York at times, but its own character (in its architecture, food, and slower pace of life) makes it a city like no other. The exchange rate is very favorable to Americans, making BA extremely affordable to live in and enjoy asado (beef), empanadas, and a delicious malbec (Argentina’s acclaimed wine) at shockingly-low prices.

With your extra cash, you can travel around the amazingly diverse Argentine countryside. Try walking on glaciers, sweating in the desert, or feeling the mist of the Iguazu waterfalls – all easy trips outside of BA.

Some BA friends and I share our thoughts on the city below.

Classes/Professors

Types of classes offered:
* Literature
* History
* Music
* Art History
* Film
* Latin American Studies
* Journalism
* Economics
* Political Science

WARNING: This is a small study abroad site. There were about 50 students last semester. Accordingly, many of the above categories only have 1 class in the subject. And just about everything focuses on Argentine culture. Classes were harder than I expected for study abroad, but definitely easier than what I’d been taking in New York. There was plenty of time to travel, party, etc.

• “I was fine with all of my classes (popular/mass culture was the easiest, best class ever) but it sounded like some the classes were really terrible (AKA the art history class, the tango class, etc.)”
• “The classes were great – not particularly challenging but I learned a lot nonetheless. Sanchez’s econ class is underrated, and 3 hours is tough but he’s a really interesting guy with valuable insight in his field. Barro’s politics class is pretty generic but you get freedom with your paper topic. Vivianna’s art history class was painful, twice-weekly torture, but I don’t think she’s there anymore.”
• “Popular and Mass Culture in Argentina (Spanish): Prof. Pablo Alabarces is amazing and always enthusiastic about his work and what students have to say. A must take class.”

Student Activities

All around, quite solid. The staff is open to suggestions. Someone requested they pay for a graffiti tour, so they did (it was awesome).

• “I felt NYU took care of me very well.”
• “While Pedro is the sweetest, most wonderful man in all of Argentina, I was not so pleased with the student activities. The volunteer placements generally were a joke and most people dropped out after a few weeks. Most of the NYU organized activities were not all that interesting to me (they should have organized more soccer games for one thing), but I must say that NYU does put out sometimes: the Iguazu trip was sick, Thanksgiving was lovely, and there was a lot of wine at the end of the semester party thing.”
• “NYU administration was fine – any emergency would definitely be handled, and the school trip to Iguazu was great.”

Housing

I did a homestay. I liked mine; others got really awful families (seriously, there are some horror stories). I recommend it over the dorms – just be sure to switch right away if you aren’t enjoying it. You’ll be a lot happier for it.

• “Stay in a homestay, the overwhelming majority of students do. There are so few cons, and if you’re worried about being isolated from other NYU students, you can live with another one.”
• “Do a homestay. Your Spanish will get better and the houses are much nicer than the dorms.”
• “Housing in Masters Residence was a lot of fun minus the occasional flooding on the first floor when it rained a substantial amount.”

Nightlife

It’s out of control. A typical Friday night is dinner at 10 PM, bars at midnight, and clubs at 2 (they aren’t busy any before then). And Argentines go all night and into the following day. Raucous and great fun. You can chill, too, if you want, but it’s common to go hard. Most do. (A caveat: the dance music here is…eh. Generic. But reggaeton is awesome.)

• “Nightlife doesn’t end until the sun comes up the next morning, which is good and bad.”
• “The nightlife is great- there’s a huge variety, vibrant/any night/allll night, and it’s so cheap compared to NYC.”
• “Obviously amazing. My 2 favorites: 1. Drag night at niceto club (AKA club 69) with hilarious, themed drag shows and pumping house music every Thursday. There is also a stripper pole in the middle of the dance floor. 2. Latin jam: kick ass salsa band that plays every Wednesday from 12 until 5 AM. All locals with extremely good (read: intimidating) dance moves.”

Food

If you love beef, you will love Buenos Aires. They eat a lot of it – almost 150 pounds per year per person. And the asado (barbecue) culture is a big part of life here. There’s also great pizza and ice cream (Italian influence). But it’s not New York: the international food scene is really shaky.

• “Not good. They are really into hard-boiled eggs. And boiled spinach. And no spicy.”
• “The food is delicious but not good for you. Healthy eating is not a culturally enforced idea, so vegetables are hard to come by. Carbs and meat rule – I came home having gained 5 pounds and no longer a vegetarian, but enjoyed every empanada.”
• “There is no fried chicken in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Only steak and choripan (sausage on bread).”

Sex and Dating

The language barrier can be intimidating. But Argentines are very open (and good-looking). The guys hit on American girls extremely aggressively. And Argentine women are used to the aggression, so guys, don’t expect them to approach you. Step up. Also, lots of intraprogram hookups.

• “Argentines are notorious for being attractive. And who wouldn’t want to go to a telo? Ha ha. But honestly, it’s a study abroad program, you’re likely to find someone you connect with.”
• “Since Argentines mostly live at home until they are married, telos (basically sex hotels where you pay by the hour) are the place to go to hook up. They are mostly not sketchy or weird and usually have amenities like mirrors on the ceiling. They play latin slow jamz and have muted light which is strangely successful at setting the mood. Oh also – PDA is the cool thing to do.”

Travel

Lots to see, lots to do.

• “Takes forever because everything is huge.”
• “A little bit expensive, but I highly encourage it.”
• “Travel opportunities in Argentina and South America are incredibly diverse – mountains, beach, rainforest, desert all in the same country. The travel is ALWAYS an adventure and also pretty cheap.”

Culture Shock

• “I had to get used to the lack of fried chicken, I never did actually.”
• “Things dont happen on time or necessarily orderly. BA has all of the ‘comforts’ of New York, but in other parts of the country and South America you’re not going to find them. People are honest and will tell you what’s on their mind.”
• “Be prepared to kiss every single person you come in contact with on the cheek. Typically you kiss a person on the cheek before even learning their name.”

Why You Should Go

If you want to learn Spanish and don’t want to drop bank in Madrid, BA is an excellent choice. It’s economical, has great weather, and is a great complement to life in NYC.

• “Because South America is awesome. Argentina has it all: history, culture, nightlife, scenery, really attractive people, etc.”
• “Because it is absolutely amazing.”
• “Because it is so affordable and offers a serious opportunity to really interact with and build relationships with locals and their culture (which especially contrasts with other NYU study abroad options).”

Why You Shouldn’t Go

Honestly, if you’re a strict vegetarian or vegan, BA is not the place for you. You can get by, yes, but there are better options. I really can’t think of other serious downsides.

• “Because you hate fun and good steak?”
• “There is a lack of awesome food, but then again NYC spoils you.”
• “Because NYU kind of sucks at doing study abroad. The classes are mediocre and you mostly likely will not be best friends with locals (but isn’t that true of all NYU study abroad programs?)”