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Latin America is a beloved study abroad destination renowned for its lively cultures, indigenous history, delicious cuisine, and many Spanish-speaking opportunities. The region offers one-of-a-kind experiences that can help you advance your degree while you gain a deeper understanding of local perspectives. If you want to study abroad in a Latin American country, you may be wondering if it’s an option for you. Fortunately for most college students, it’s more than possible with AIFS Abroad.
Discover how you can study abroad in Latin America and explore your options with AIFS Abroad!
How Do I Study Abroad in Latin America?
If you’re interested in studying abroad in Latin America, you should confirm your eligibility to study abroad in the first place. There may not be any barriers to where in the world you can go, so it often comes down to any restrictions to studying abroad in general. Factors that may affect your eligibility to study abroad include:
- Your academic requirements: Studying abroad is ideal when it aligns with your academic plan and degree progress. There are tons of study abroad courses available that fulfill major, minor, or general education requirements, making it easier to stay on track, regardless of your area(s) of study.
- Your university requirements: Check with your university, as each school has its own requirements. Many schools allow their students to study abroad around the world, as long as they earn credits that help them advance their degree, but some only approve particular programs, providers, or destinations.
To learn more about your academic and university requirements, you should schedule an appointment with your academic advisor at your home institution. They can go over your individual requirements and tell you more about how you can study abroad and still meet them.
If you’re like most college students, your advisor will likely tell you that you can study abroad in Latin America. After you’ve confirmed your eligibility, you can view study abroad program providers that offer programs in Latin American destinations (like AIFS Abroad!). Speak to your academic advisor or study abroad office to ask them whether AIFS Abroad is an option at your college (which is the case for 400+ institutions around the U.S.!). If not, they may suggest another provider that offers study abroad programs in Latin America.
Need help determining if you’re eligible to study abroad in Latin America? Connect with our team!
Where Should I Study Abroad in Latin America?
You’ve decided on Latin America, but where should you go? Study abroad with AIFS Abroad in any of the following destinations in South and Central America:
While all three options offer unique experiences, each destination provides valuable opportunities for academic learning and personal growth. Deciding which location in Latin America to choose depends on your personal preferences, academic needs, and the specific program options available in each country. For example, you may choose San José for its Environmental Science programs or Buenos Aires for Medical Spanish Immersion. Note that while each country offers unique offerings, they all can include a broad range of academic disciplines.
We recommend starting your search by either filtering for your favorite country or academic interest using our Program Finder tool.
Need assistance deciding where to study abroad in Latin America? Connect with our team!
When Can I Study Abroad in Latin America?
With AIFS Abroad, you can study abroad in Latin America throughout the year, including January Term, Spring Semester, Summer, and Fall Semester. Our semester and short-term study abroad options allow you to choose a program based on your schedule, timeframe, and personal or academic preferences.
Speak with your academic advisor to discuss which term best suits your academic schedule. Also, remember that program options may vary by term and from year to year.
Need help deciding when to study abroad in Latin America? Connect with our team!
What are the Benefits of Studying Abroad in Latin America?
There are a range of benefits to studying abroad in Latin America, including:
- Unique cultural experiences: Latin America is home to a wide array of cultures, each offering its own distinctive traditions, flavors, and celebrations that often differ significantly from traditional Western European customs. From the musical murga dance of Argentina to the laidback pura vida lifestyle of Costa Ricans, studying abroad in Latin America offers the chance to gain rich cultural experiences that will set you apart.
- New learning environment: Studying abroad places you in a completely new academic environment, allowing you to expand your horizons, confront your preconceptions, and adapt to different teaching styles and perspectives that deepen your understanding of subject matter. Not only will your campus be different, but your courses, professors, and classmates may bring alternative perspectives to the learning material that you’ve never considered.
- Travel the region: On weekends and during holidays, you’ll have plenty of time to travel throughout your host country and visit neighboring nations. Plus, AIFS Abroad programs include trips and excursions that take you around your program destination and beyond to help deepen your cultural learning while you study abroad.
- Learn or practice Spanish (optional): Although learning a language is not required to study abroad, many students choose to learn the language while they study abroad in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the language—chatting with locals, getting around the city, and even living with native Spanish speakers through a homestay (if it’s an option).
AIFS Abroad offers Spanish language courses around the world, including several in South and Central America. Plus, as one of the most spoken languages worldwide, Spanish proficiency is a great skill to have!
- Boost your resume: Nothing spruces up a resume quite like a global education experience. Studying abroad in Latin America will demonstrate to future employers that you are independent, adaptable, and have developed multicultural communication skills, a valuable addition for every job applicant.
- Build a global network: Doing a study abroad program in Latin America will provide you with opportunities to meet people from around the world and build a network spanning continents.
Discover how far your education can take you! Explore AIFS Abroad’s incredible study abroad programs in Latin America.
Life-changing study abroad programs in Latin America are just over the horizon. Whatever your academic discipline is, AIFS Abroad has a program that can help you advance your degree and enjoy meaningful cultural experiences. With inclusions such as housing, cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll enjoy a stress-free global education experience!