1. It is literally the city that never sleeps
People here don’t eat dinner until 10 p.m. most nights, in addition to the fact that everything here is done in a leisurely manner, which means people don’t chew and screw, they sit and talk and wine and dine over their meals. Dinner can take up to three hours depending on the company. After that, it’s crazy not to go out if it’s a Friday, Saturday, or even Sunday night . Meaning you’re not hitting the bar or “boliche” until 1:30 or 2 in the morning. From there, you’ve got to dance for at least four or five hours and after you’ll be hungry again, meaning stopping for food on your way home at 6 or 7 a.m. It’s safe too, because the city is always awake.
2. The food is out of this world
If you like meat, get on the next plane to Buenos Aires (EZE). The meat here, or the ever so famous Argentine “Asado” (BBQ) is to DIE for. Paired with some great wine, you’ll leave wondering how you’re going to survive eating any other type of meat again. The ice cream will also always have you coming back for more.
3. There is always something to do
This city, as it never sleeps, also always has something for any person to do. If you want to go to an event where you can meet and befriend Argentines, there are about three a day. If you want to meet other international students, there are at least two organized events every day. If you want to do something low-key, you’ll find it. You get my point. While Argentina may not be the greatest country with some things, such as having fully functional public transportation all the time or doing things in a timely manner, organizing events for anyone and everyone is definitely a strong suit.
4. It’s a big city in a small space
I quickly become sick of public transportation. I find myself with enough time in my day to walk some 30 blocks to get to a friend’s apartment or restaurant. It’s completely do-able. Because of the city’s grid layout, the city is great for walking. You can walk anywhere, basically. It’s hard to get lost walking if you look up directions beforehand. Even if you do get lost, it’s easy to ask someone else on the street where you need to go. People are more than happy to help you out. Because of this, it's also always relatively easy to meet up with friends.
5. It’s a young country
Argentina is a young country. It has a lot less history than any country in North America, Europe, or Asia. Because of this, you really get to learn a lot about what it is like to be in a developing city. Things I take for granted in the United States, such as some of our politics and policies, or even our ways of dealing with crisis situations, such as city-wide blackouts, there not as put together and organized here. So being here, I’ve really gotten a first hand look at the history. It makes it so interesting to learn about as you’re living it. While studying isn’t the first priority in study abroad, it is a component, and for that component as well, Buenos Aires is great.
