Skip to main content

Site navigation

  • University of Technology Sydney home
  • Home

    Home
  • For students

  • For industry

  • Research

Explore

  • Courses
  • Events
  • News
  • Stories
  • People

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Study at UTS

    • arrow_right_alt Find a course
    • arrow_right_alt Course areas
    • arrow_right_alt Undergraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Postgraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Research Masters and PhD
    • arrow_right_alt Online study and short courses
  • Student information

    • arrow_right_alt Current students
    • arrow_right_alt New UTS students
    • arrow_right_alt Graduates (Alumni)
    • arrow_right_alt High school students
    • arrow_right_alt Indigenous students
    • arrow_right_alt International students
  • Admissions

    • arrow_right_alt How to apply
    • arrow_right_alt Entry pathways
    • arrow_right_alt Eligibility
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for students

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Apply for a coursearrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Scholarshipsarrow_right_alt
  • Featured industries

    • arrow_right_alt Agriculture and food
    • arrow_right_alt Defence and space
    • arrow_right_alt Energy and transport
    • arrow_right_alt Government and policy
    • arrow_right_alt Health and medical
    • arrow_right_alt Corporate training
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Tech Central
    • arrow_right_alt Case studies
    • arrow_right_alt Research
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for industry

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Partner with usarrow_right_alt
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Explore our research
    • arrow_right_alt Research centres and institutes
    • arrow_right_alt Graduate research
    • arrow_right_alt Research partnerships
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for research

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Research centres and institutesarrow_right_alt
  • University of Technology Sydney home
Explore the University of Technology Sydney
Category Filters:
University of Technology Sydney home University of Technology Sydney home
  1. home
  2. arrow_forward_ios ... For students
  3. arrow_forward_ios ... Experience UTS
  4. arrow_forward_ios Global opportunities
  5. arrow_forward_ios ICS Argentina

ICS Argentina

explore
  • Experience UTS
    • Business experience
      • arrow_forward What do I need to know? Tips for new UTS Business School students
      • arrow_forward Arya Lohar
      • arrow_forward Balancing work and study
      • arrow_forward Darcy Davies
      • arrow_forward Raghav Motani
      • arrow_forward Raymond Ingrey
      • arrow_forward Shannon Allwright
      • arrow_forward Sharyn Close
      • arrow_forward Start in a Summer Session
      • arrow_forward Embracing innovation and global perspectives at UTS
      • arrow_forward How Sophie chose the perfect program blending innovation, tradition, and gender equality
      • arrow_forward Rianna Darby’s global journey: enriched by insights gained from a UTS internship in Indonesia
      • arrow_forward Sam Lightfoot: embracing lifelong learning at UTS
      • arrow_forward Empowering change: Judith’s journey from PNG to UTS
      • arrow_forward Hannah’s journey: mastering the language of business at UTS
      • arrow_forward Clarence Slockee: empowering indigenous leadership
      • arrow_forward Julian Peterson: from Advertising Executive to Behavioural Economist
      • arrow_forward Anastasia Ivanova: enhancing skills for career progression in data analytics
      • arrow_forward Alex Foster: From EMBA to Managing Director at Aldi Stores Australia
      • arrow_forward Hang’s academic journey: from UTS College to financial expertise
      • arrow_forward Graciel’s journey: from psychology to event management
      • arrow_forward Empowering futures: Bianca’s HRM path at UTS
      • arrow_forward Adam Graham: a transformative journey through business and culture at UTS
      • arrow_forward A holistic approach to business education at UTS
      • arrow_forward Bridging the gap: how Gemma Altinger is transforming public policy
      • arrow_forward Navigating the business world via a UTS pathway of integration and innovation
      • arrow_forward Nihad Aliyev: navigating new horizons through business and entrepreneurship at UTS
      • arrow_forward Where business meets humanity
      • arrow_forward Absorbed in Sydney’s business hub: Axel Thunhorst’s international journey at UTS
    • Communication experience
      • arrow_forward Zara Horton: UNITE 2030
      • arrow_forward Career advice
      • arrow_forward The parents' guide to ATAR results
      • arrow_forward The parents' guide to university
      • arrow_forward Internships & placements
      • arrow_forward Life on campus
      • arrow_forward Student life
      • arrow_forward From UTS to global marketing leader
      • arrow_forward A journey of perseverance from UTS to CNN
      • arrow_forward Seref Isler: from UTS Housing to global newsrooms
      • arrow_forward Emma Watkins: singing and dancing her way to inclusion and a PhD
      • arrow_forward Championing disability rights and inclusion
      • arrow_forward Jamie Lipsham: from UTS to VFX trailblazer
      • arrow_forward Brooke Boney: breaking barriers on breakfast TV
      • arrow_forward Rebecca Hatch: harmonising cultures through music
      • arrow_forward Polina Pashkov: stitching together a unique career path
      • arrow_forward Phillipa McDermott: paving the way for Indigenous representation
      • arrow_forward Han’s vision: turning passion into a career at 10 News First
      • arrow_forward Amani Haydar: transforming trauma into advocacy and art
      • arrow_forward Empowering First Nations voices through media and business
      • arrow_forward Alice Rummery on innovating for a better future in government
      • arrow_forward Alana Valentine: illuminating the human experience through theatre
      • arrow_forward Maya Newell: capturing children’s voices through film
      • arrow_forward Julia Holman: the thrill of the chase in journalism
      • arrow_forward Pioneering reconciliation through social justice and community leadership
    • Design, Architecture and Building experience
      • arrow_forward Alix Higgins: redefining fashion
      • arrow_forward From collective design to designing with Country, Tyler Smith is transforming contemporary architecture
      • arrow_forward Rachel Mah is putting the user at the centre of AI
      • arrow_forward How to become an architect in Australia
      • arrow_forward From remote study to the fashion runways
      • arrow_forward Innovating fashion with AI
      • arrow_forward For the love of nature
      • arrow_forward Dessy Hairis on building Bydee
      • arrow_forward Pioneering tech and diversity in construction
      • arrow_forward One woman, 80,000 years of Indigenous architectural tradition
      • arrow_forward Crafting transformative spaces: Monique Mifsud's journey in Interior Architecture
      • arrow_forward Reclaiming identity through fashion
      • arrow_forward Fungal Fusion: Stella Li's unique approach to design
      • arrow_forward Ellen Slaven: from Property Economics student to industry mentor
      • arrow_forward Designing the future of tech
      • arrow_forward Gabriella Annetta: breathing life into everyday objects
      • arrow_forward Combatting racism and supporting mental health with design
      • arrow_forward Drawing a global career
      • arrow_forward Cameron Hill: weaving her way to Fashion Week
      • arrow_forward Reimagining healthcare spaces through architecture
      • arrow_forward Katherine Turk is ready to take on the world
      • arrow_forward Bringing Indigenous stories to Breville
      • arrow_forward Shruti Gurung: from UTS graduate to co-founder of Curio Homes
      • arrow_forward Thomas Cole can fix your feet, one 3D-printed shoe at a time
      • arrow_forward Supporting tomorrow’s construction project managers
      • arrow_forward Crafting couture: Vanessa’s fashion revolution
      • arrow_forward Dr Lin Wei: from international student to support advocate
      • arrow_forward Luisa Skyring: designing for inclusion
      • arrow_forward FAQs: Studying Project Management at UTS
      • arrow_forward FAQs: Studying Architecture at UTS
      • arrow_forward 5 Reasons to Study Project Management
      • arrow_forward 5 reasons to study Architecture
      • arrow_forward 5 reasons to study Urban Planning
      • arrow_forward FAQs: Studying Urban Planning at UTS
    • Education experience
      • arrow_forward Alex Foster
      • arrow_forward Top tips to manage your study load
      • arrow_forward Geoffrey McNamara AM, a champion for science
      • arrow_forward Professor Jack Beetson’s lifelong crusade for literacy and rights
      • arrow_forward From Tasmania to LA: Kim’s inspiring adventure in education
      • arrow_forward Hamish Gardner, teaching with passion and dedication
      • arrow_forward Jim White
      • arrow_forward Adrian Appo OAM: a journey of self-determination and empowerment
    • Engineering experience
      • arrow_forward Studying Engineering at UTS
      • arrow_forward Sparked to study technology’s essential element
      • arrow_forward Don’t stress – get across the mechanics of early entry
      • arrow_forward Building a bridge to gender equality in engineering
      • arrow_forward It’s all in the data, from internships to mentoring
      • arrow_forward Motorway trip with industry connections and career support
      • arrow_forward Stress-free way to explore sustainability solutions
    • Health experience
      • arrow_forward How AI is changing the way healthcare professionals practice and learn
      • arrow_forward FAQ
      • arrow_forward Allison Cummins
      • arrow_forward Amanda Rehayem
      • arrow_forward Athena Hammond
      • arrow_forward The future of health? It’s here
      • arrow_forward Louise Everitt
      • arrow_forward Lynne Roberts
      • arrow_forward Wareerat Jittitaworn
      • arrow_forward On the fast track to a registered nursing career
      • arrow_forward Back to the drawing board
      • arrow_forward For the love of the game
    • Graduate research experience
      • arrow_forward Repurposing an engineering career to pursue a passion for fashion
      • arrow_forward Growing women’s football through research
      • arrow_forward Elevating the game for women in sport
      • arrow_forward 5 types of free support to help you succeed
      • arrow_forward 5 reasons to do a PhD (according to our students)
    • Graduate School of Health experience
      • arrow_forward 5 tips to get organised and stay organised
      • arrow_forward Making the most of 'me time' on campus
      • arrow_forward Mastering a Masters degree
      • arrow_forward Tye Sieger
    • Information Technology experience
      • arrow_forward IT clubs and societies
      • arrow_forward Guide to applying for a BIT Co-operative Scholarship
      • arrow_forward IT Honours program
      • arrow_forward IT internships
      • arrow_forward IT Student support
      • arrow_forward Meet Chloe – Computing Science IDeA Cadetship Student
      • arrow_forward BIT Co-operative Scholarship interview advice
      • arrow_forward IT careers and employment
      • arrow_forward Learning inside and outside the classroom
      • arrow_forward Nurturing a love of coding, sharing the STEM dream
      • arrow_forward How the Galuwa program unlocked a gamer’s passion
      • arrow_forward Industry-ready, with a uni friendship group to boot
      • arrow_forward Be authentic: a scholarship holder's advice to applicants
      • arrow_forward Work experience opens door to wider IT possibilities
      • arrow_forward Meet Jack – Computer Science IDeA Cadetship Student
    • Law experience
      • arrow_forward 5 ways our Migration Law course will set you up for an exciting career | UTS Law
      • arrow_forward 6 tips to become a top performing Law student
      • arrow_forward 7 tips to manage postgraduate studies
      • arrow_forward Benefits of combining your Law degree
      • arrow_forward Five career options for law graduates | UTS Law
      • arrow_forward How to become a lawyer in four steps | UTS Law
      • arrow_forward Technology and innovation: the future of law
      • arrow_forward Think you’re ‘too old’ to study law? Think again | UTS Law
      • arrow_forward A career in social justice
      • arrow_forward From business manager to banking lawyer
      • arrow_forward It's never too late for a law degree
      • arrow_forward Sailor lawyer teacher mentor meet Stuart Lowe
      • arrow_forward Postgraduate law can lead to more than just a legal career
    • Science experience
      • arrow_forward Acacia Kutay
      • arrow_forward Bernice Datu
      • arrow_forward Daniel Totonjian
      • arrow_forward Darren Mario Fernandez
      • arrow_forward Emily Hazell
      • arrow_forward Emily Quinn Smyth
      • arrow_forward George Elturk
      • arrow_forward Hugh Mackay
      • arrow_forward Johanes Bijosono Oei
      • arrow_forward Leonard Cheung
      • arrow_forward Majca Tongacan
      • arrow_forward Michael Haughey
      • arrow_forward Nicholas James
      • arrow_forward Phoebe Pham
      • arrow_forward Stephanie Town
      • arrow_forward Cultivating a passion for environmental science at UTS
      • arrow_forward Bridging science and medicine: the journey of Jeff Barber, clinical physicist
    • arrow_forward Campus
    • Career planning
      • arrow_forward Engineering and IT industry connections
      • arrow_forward Health clinical simulation
      • arrow_forward Science student internships
      • arrow_forward Law practical experience
      • arrow_forward Upskill or retrain in Law
    • Community and leadership
      • arrow_forward Arts and social sciences clubs and societies
      • arrow_forward AusLEAP: volunteering opportunities for international students
    • Global study
      • arrow_forward Design, architecture and building global study experience
      • arrow_forward ICS Argentina
      • arrow_forward ICS Canada (Québec)
      • arrow_forward ICS Chile
      • arrow_forward ICS China
      • arrow_forward ICS Colombia
      • arrow_forward ICS Costa Rica
      • arrow_forward ICS France
      • arrow_forward ICS Germany
      • arrow_forward ICS Italy
      • arrow_forward ICS Japan
      • arrow_forward ICS Latino USA
      • arrow_forward ICS Mexico
      • arrow_forward ICS Spain
      • arrow_forward ICS Switzerland
    • Undergraduate experience
      • arrow_forward From dreaming of space to engineering underwater tech
      • arrow_forward A spark of science added to the roar of premiership victory
      • arrow_forward A spark of determination leads to a passion for innovation
      • arrow_forward Living a childhood dream from the classroom to open water
      • arrow_forward 6 ways students are promoting gender equity on campus
      • arrow_forward FAQ videos for new undergraduate students
    • Postgraduate experience
      • arrow_forward Why this MBA was worth the juggle
      • arrow_forward Learning to lead through community
      • arrow_forward Alumni advantage
      • arrow_forward Big challenges, bold solutions from health and science
      • arrow_forward Debunking postgrad myths
      • arrow_forward Postgraduate pathways into health and science
      • arrow_forward Thinking about a career in health?
    • arrow_forward International Studies and Social Sciences experience
    • arrow_forward All student stories
    • Transdisciplinary Innovation experience
      • arrow_forward After a mid-career change, Stefan Hall is harnessing the power of big data
      • arrow_forward From a life of Lego to an innovation-led career
male and female student walking through a large marketplace
Alana in Argentina

Alana Leabeater

Degree: Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science / Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
ICS University: Universidad del CEMA (UCEMA), Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

I applied for the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies for the opportunity to travel as part of my degree, and more importantly, to learn another language, as I think it is important in the multicultural world of today to connect with and understand cultures apart from your own.

Alana completed her ICS in Argentina in 2018

Q&A with Alana

A group of students standing in front of a Departures sign at the airport

What was the highlight of your ICS in Argentina?

Unsurprisingly, the ability to travel so freely around South America was definitely the highlight for me. Buenos Aires was a perfect base to explore Chile, Brazil and Peru, and later I was able to go to Mexico, Belize, Cuba, the Bahamas and North America. Knowing Spanish was a distinct advantage in these countries, and experiencing the different accents and slang across the continent was very interesting. Even travelling within Argentina was a highlight; I have fond memories of touring the wineries in Mendoza, winning a triathlon in Cordoba, taking my mum to see Patagonia and going on an exchange student trip to Iguazu Falls.

How did your language and intercultural skills improve?

Despite two years of Spanish at UTS, when I arrived at the airport in Buenos Aires I still had no clue what they were saying. This is because the Argentinian accent is difficult to understand at the best of times; more so, the porteño accent (people specifically from Buenos Aires) have their own slang and add a distinct flair to the language that increases the difficulty for foreigners. As such, it took me a solid two months to be able to have a decent conversation, for example with shopkeepers or professors at university. By the end of first semester, I understood most of what went on in classes and could write with good proficiency, but my speaking lagged behind. Going to Chile and Peru over the university break was a great way to practise my Spanish as both countries have very different accents and it was interesting to break out of my Argentinian accent for awhile.

In the second semester, our university did not offer Spanish classes and so I went out of my way to do other activities where I could practice, like cooking classes and going away for a weekend with Argentinian friends. I also made an effort to speak to all my housemates in Spanish, even though most of them knew English as well. It was really important to live with Spanish speakers because otherwise I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to practice day-to-day like that. Also, by making local friends, I learnt more about Argentinian culture and was able to understand different customs and peculiarities better than if I had spent the majority of my time with other exchange students.

Alana and her friends standing in front of a Buenos Aires sign

What skills have you learned in the past year that you believe will benefit your personal life and future career?

One of the major skills I developed was adaptability. Nothing in Argentina happens the way it is meant to; sometimes it seems like the rules are rewritten everyday, especially when it came to things like getting our student visas or ordering money from abroad. This used to really frustrate me, because I just didn’t understand the lack of clarity and efficiency in basic processes. For example, I once sat on a plane on the tarmac at the airport for three hours before they cancelled the flight and said ‘we’ll try again tomorrow at the same time’. The Argentinians just shrugged their shoulders and went home; meanwhile, I was livid. Over the year, I learnt to be more adaptable to these sort of situations, and see the humour in them.

Related to this, I also developed resilience, because sometimes things happened that were outside our control and we had to learn to cope with them. Also, I developed a tough skin because being a white, blond, above-average height female in Buenos Aires attracts a lot of attention, and I had to try my best to reserve judgement and accept cultural nuances.

Finally, I believe I developed my research and planning skills; in an academic sense, through my research project, which allowed me to develop these skills in another language, and also in the sense that I organised all my own trips to other countries. Often this involved negotiating complicated bus networks in Spanish, working out the best connections between cities and towns and interacting with tour operators and locals to find places to visit and stay.

How did university life in Argentina differ to Australia? How did you adjust, if needed?

University in Argentina was very different to Australia, mostly because it was much more laidback and there was less focus on formal assessments. Like a lot of Latin American countries, time is simply a guide in Argentina, and we got accustomed to our teachers starting the class 30-45 minutes late, and local students arriving another half hour after that. We had to learn to accept this, even though at first it was annoying because in Australia you’re expected to be on time, if not early. Another difference is that at our university in Buenos Aires, there was not a widespread use of the student intranet; you had to rely on paper subject outlines distributed in the very first class, and sometimes teachers would only have the email address of one student, who would then forward on any information to the rest of the class.

Our teachers rarely used Powerpoint presentations or visual aids, which we found frustrating in the first semester because it could have helped us understand the content more, as we were all much better at reading than listening. Also, assessment protocols were very laissez-faire; often the teacher would make up questions for a mid semester exam on the spot, or they would leave you to do your exam without supervision, or you had to bring your own paper to answer questions from the board. This seemed very strange to us at the start but we always followed the lead of the local students and learnt to appreciate the strangeness of it!

Alana and her friends eating pastries

How did you finance your ICS? (e.g. scholarships, loans, budgeting) Any advice?

I used a combination of financing. I worked part-time and saved a moderate amount before I left Sydney, but I also had other commitments in the year before I left that meant I mostly relied upon the two UTS loans and a small amount of money from a scholarship. I was also lucky enough to be eligible for Centrelink as I turned 22 on arrival in Argentina, and so was granted Youth Allowance as I was studying away from home. This allowance basically paid for my rent in Buenos Aires. I would advise anyone who is eligible for this to start the process as early as possible - it took me five months to organise and even then I still had problems when I got overseas.

Expect to pay around $US400-600 for rent per month, depending on where you live. Most landlords expect payment in cash, either pesos or USD. Both are difficult to obtain in that quantity, as the ATMS have not caught up with the level of inflation in Argentina and will only let you withdraw the equivalent of $AU200 or less a day. Take some USD with you as it is good to have in emergencies, and often the ATMS in Buenos Aires ran out of money on public holidays and the weekends. People always want USD so it’s easy to exchange. We successfully used the company World Remit to order large sums of cash at a time with only a small fee per transaction; you need to use your passport to collect money from pickup points located around the city (it may take some trial and error before you find one that is open and functional).

Also, ING in Australia seems to be the best bank for overseas travel in South America as they refund any foreign transaction fees - in Argentina these fees can be up to $15 per transaction which can definitely add up, especially when you’re trying to pay rent!

What’s an assumption about your country that you found to be untrue? E.g. safety, expense etc.

I think people definitely associate Latin America with danger, but Argentina is one of the safest countries you could travel to. We had almost no problems while we were there except for petty theft and some angry taxi drivers (Uber is still not fully regulated by the government), and on the whole, we found the city to be very safe and easy to get around. Also, there is a common stereotype that porteños are rude and elitist; this is definitely not the case, as our friends at university were very welcoming and helpful, and we were struck by many random acts of kindness from strangers, like waiters helping us with Spanish homework or people giving us directions when we looked lost.

What was your research project and why did you choose it? What were the findings? 

My research project was an investigation into the underrepresentation of women (as staff and athletes) in elite sport in Argentina. I chose this as my main degree is Sport & Exercise Science and I have always been interested in the state of women’s sport around the world. My findings indicated that while women’s sports are definitely underfunded and discriminated against in Argentina, on the whole, elite sport in the country suffers from a lack of funding and interest at a governmental level because they have always had greater priorities to look after.

Alana posing with a group of people from a running club

If you were going through a tough time (homesickness, university struggles), what support did you receive or access? 

I was lucky enough to have a fantastic group of fellow ICS students that joined me in Argentina, and we were all a great support to one another throughout the year. At my university, we also had two great exchange supervisors, who helped us with our visas and would liaise with teachers if we were having problems in class. It was a challenge for me to have so much free time in my ICS year because for the first time in 8 years I didn’t have a part-time job to keep me occupied, and as a result I would get homesick. Because of this I tried to keep busy; I joined a local triathlon group, went to art classes and cooking classes and planning upcoming travels with friends and family.

If you could redo ICS, what are some things you would do differently? 

One particular reflection I have had since leaving Argentina is that I tried for so long to cling onto the same style of life I had in Sydney, and this made me feel alienated and homesick. I wish I had thrown myself into more things from the start, as this would have helped me to assimilate a bit more, and definitely would have helped my Spanish to improve quicker.

I also wish I had spent more time with my Argentinian friends instead of my housemates and other exchange students. Especially in the first semester, we formed a close-knit group and then all our activities revolved around this. We all got very comfortable with this arrangement and didn’t branch out as much as we could have.

Finally, I wish I had travelled independently more. I did it once or twice, but often I waited for friends to be available and as a result, I missed out on seeing some places in Argentina I really wanted to go to.

Alana posing next to a bridge

Why should BAIS students choose Argentina for their ICS?

Argentina likens itself to the ‘Europe’ of South America, and as such, it feels very different to every other country I’ve visited in the region. Buenos Aires is very developed and cosmopolitan, and has a diverse range of barrios (suburbs) that all have their own architecture and flair. It is a city that never sleeps, and you will never be bored; there is always a festival, or market, or food week, or live music, or tango in the street, or new bar opening that is going on. Outside of Buenos Aires, the country is so diverse: from the dry salt flats of the north, to the vineyards of Mendoza, the snowfields of Bariloche and the glaciers of Patagonia. Also, you’ll always find something to eat - aside from the typical parrillas (barbecues), Buenos Aires has a multicultural food scene that rivals Sydney, and we didn’t even scratch the surface of all the cool bars and restaurants that exist there.

Finally, the Argentinians are really fun and laid back, much like Australians, and they’re always happy to have a coffee with you (as well as some sort of dulce de leche dessert) and pass the day away.

Blog #1 - Moving to Argentina

Photo of a group of students, hiking in Argentina

It was a week of beaches, churros, paella, flamenco dancing, art, wine and nightlife that did it for me. It was 2014 and my last week of travel on my gap year before I had to fly home and face the music. I spent the week in Spain, soaking in the culture and the vibrant lifestyle, and as I dragged my feet to the airport I decided I had to come back, and I had to learn Spanish.

Luckily for me, a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies was already in the pipeline, so when it came time to pick my language major, it was a no-brainer for me. Unluckily for me, the majority of people who picked Spanish also wanted to go to Spain as their first preference; and so, I got Argentina instead. Although I knew very little about the country, I knew they still had dancing (tango), still had great food (dulce de leche, empanadas), had arguably even better wine than Spain (Malbec) and had world-class nightlife. So, I was still incredibly excited heading into my year abroad.

Argentina has been a whirlwind from day one. I've had to adjust to a completely different timetable for life, with dinner no earlier than 10pm and nightlife starting around 2am.

The accent here is clearer than Spanish from Spain, but sounds like one long string of words compared to neighbouring countries. Buenos Aires is the biggest city I have ever lived in, five times the size of New York City, and as a result, it is never quiet. Not forgetting having to adjust to going to classes at uni in an entirely different language!

But you can’t help but love this country, with its bustling cities, snow-capped mountain ranges, vineyards and waterfalls. The highlights for me so far have been seeing Iguzau Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world; spending a weekend in Bariloche, a gorgeous little ski town on the border with Chile; visiting the weekend markets and great cafes across Buenos Aires; and competing in a local triathlon in a small city in the north where I was treated like a superstar just for being Australian.

I’m sure there will be many more highlights to come and I can’t wait to experience all of what Argentina (and South America) has to offer.

Alana looking through binoculars at a waterfall

Blog #2 - Learning the local language

Alana and her friends at her host university
Photo of Alana at her host university

Going to university in a second language is downright frightening. This is the conclusion I’ve made as I round out my first semester in Argentina and prepare for final exams. It’s intimidating, it keeps you on your toes, it certainly makes you think before you speak – and it’s also been an incredibly important experience for me to have.

I always envied my European friends for knowing at least one other language than their native. With Australia being so isolated, it’s understandable that there’s not a huge push to learn languages at school. But compared to my counterparts abroad, I feel like I’m missing out on something, on the opportunity to more deeply relate to another culture. To me, knowing another language is an essential skill to have in my toolbox, and one that will bode well for me as I continue to travel internationally.

That’s all well and good, but when I’m sitting in a four-hour class with a teacher that speaks in rapid Argentinian Spanish with no accompanying slides or handouts – I have to remind myself why I’m here! My Spanish (or, more correctly, my Castellano) is coming along nicely, and I am being challenged by my university classes like never before. Sometimes I bravely join the class discussion, and other times I try and focus on just paying attention and following the conversation.

Exchange students in Argentina

Classes here are very different to back home: we don’t have a lecture-and-tutorial format, but rather small, relatively long classes broken in half by a ‘cafecito’ (coffee break), and sometimes excursions to museums, theatres or places of interest. My favourite class this semester is Argentinian Arts & Culture, where so far we’ve learnt about gauchos (‘cowboys’), tango (including dance classes!), modern art and the last military dictatorship. It’s a nice break from my science degree back home.

With only a few weeks left before final exams, I’m looking forward to finishing class and going travelling, though it means saying goodbye to many friends I’ve made this semester. On the plus side, I can continue to practice my Spanish in the countries I’m visiting.

Blog #3 - Travelling out of Buenos Aires

The day after my last exam, I was out of Buenos Aires. Which is not to say I don’t love this city (I do), but rather that I have limited time before the start of next semester, and I wanted to cram in as much as possible.

FASS Argentina ICS study tour Alana standing on a snowy mountain under blue skies with arms outstretched

Starting off with a weekend at a traditional Argentinian estancia (ranch) in the north of the country, a tiny town called Esquina. We took an overnight bus from the city (an adventure in itself) and were met at the Esquina bus terminal by a gaucho (cowboy) who took us to the ranch. So began a weekend of horse riding twice a day, cooking lessons (empanadas and gnocchi), gaucho skills like throwing a lasso, copious amounts of food and many siestas. By the time we left on Monday, we had recharged from a long semester of study and were ready to take on our next destination: Chile.

We flew to Santiago and met with another friend, James, who is doing his ICS in the city. He gave us a local’s tour, complete with a climb up to Cerro San Cristobal at sunset, where we could see the entire city. The next day we caught a bus to Valparaiso, a beautiful port city 2 hours northwest of Santiago, known for its outlandish graffiti, steep hills and colonial architecture. We spent time wandering the streets, going on the funiculars and even went sandboarding in nearby Concon (I am still finding leftover sand in my bags and shoes from this occasion).

From Chile, I travelled onwards to Cusco, Peru, to meet with another friend and trek to Machu Picchu. Having survived this trek, I can safely say it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done – a combination of altitude sickness, huge physical exertion, difficult terrain and mental strength. The reward after 5 days was, of course, seeing the grand Machu Picchu at sunrise, before the site filled with some 4000 tourists. The trek there made the Inca wonder all the more beautiful.

Now I have returned to Buenos Aires afresh, ready to start the next semester. However this is not the end of my travels, as I have many mini-trips planned for the weekends and public holidays!

FASS Argentina ICS study tour Alana sitting on colorful steps with graffiti on walls

Blog #4 - A visit from Mum!

Without realising it, I have reached the five month mark of my ICS, which meant it was about time that some family visited. I am lucky enough to have my mum visiting at the moment, and it has been so much fun showing her around Buenos Aires and introducing her to my Argentinian exchange life.

Museum of Fine Arts  Buenos Ares

First off was a round of attractions in the city, including my favourite weekend markets, local cafes, and the touristy attractions like the Obelisk and the Recoleta cemetery. We visited the Museum of Fine Arts where I was able to demonstrate some knowledge of Argentinian art history that I learnt in my first semester. Then, we did the high-end tour of Buenos Aires, with high tea at the beautiful Alvear Palace Hotel, and seeing the ballet at the extraordinary Teatro Colon.

From Buenos Aires we flew to Mendoza, the biggest wine producing region in Argentina (and the world, too). Having been to Mendoza earlier this year, I was able to give my mum a good tour of the city and surrounding wine regions, and we enjoyed the good food and great wine for a few days.

Tomorrow we head onwards to Bariloche, where I hope we will get some snow, before returning to Buenos Aires for a few more days – well, for mum anyway. I’ll be there for another six months!

Blog #5 - Exploring South America

One of the advantages of studying overseas in a continent as extensive as South America is the opportunity to go away for trips on the weekend to explore the surrounding areas. While it’s certainly not as quick and cheap as it is to fly around Europe, where everything is close, I can never pass up the opportunity to ‘just fly to Rio for the weekend’.

Last weekend, after a series of drizzly grey days in Buenos Aires, I booked tickets to Rio on the spur of the moment and jumped on a plane after my last class of the week. I was greeted by clear blue skies, crowds of people on Copacabana Beach (for what I discovered was Brazilian Independence Day), hawkers selling a variety of food, bikinis, sunglasses and caipirinhas and much needed time to relax and soak up the sun.

Alana jumping on the beach in Rio

Having already done the main tourist attractions the last time I visited Rio a few months ago, I spent this trip exploring new areas that I hadn’t been to before; but mostly, I lay on the beach or by the pool at my accommodation and ploughed through a series of books. Sometimes that’s all a girl needs!

The highlight of my trip was hang-gliding over São Conrado beach in the early morning, something I have always wanted to try. With very little by the way of a safety demonstration, my instructor Paulo and I ran full speed off the ramp on Pedra Bonito, a popular lookout spot, and glided like birds all the way down to the sand. For the first few seconds, I couldn’t even scream because my heart was so far down in my stomach! It was absolutely exhilarating, and something I will never forget about my time in Rio.

Alana hang-gliding over São Conrado beach in the early morning

Blog #6 - Sporting culture in Buenos Aires

I love sport. All sport. So much so that I’ve chosen it as a career path, with my main degree being Sport & Exercise Science. So imagine my excitement when I found out that Buenos Aires was hosting the 2018 Youth Olympics – and that they needed volunteers. I think I must’ve been one of the first to apply!

Alana holding an Australian flag while volunteering for the 2018 Youth Olympics

The games commenced on the 6th of October with an amazing Opening Ceremony on the widest avenue in South America, Avenida 9 de Julio in downtown Buenos Aires, overlooked by the famous Obelisk. It was the first time in Olympic history that the Opening Ceremony was free and open to the public – so naturally, a quarter of a million people turned up. It was such an electric atmosphere, with a street parade of colourful dancers on the back of huge trucks, dare devil performance artists abseiling and bungee jumping off the Obelisk, athlete representatives from 206 nations proudly bearing their flag on the main stage, and a heartbreakingly sweet address from an Argentinian athlete about how sport brings people together.

My role in the Games is a National Olympic Committee (NOC) Assistant, and my job is basically to run errands for the NOCs as they need, like chaperoning athletes to events, going to the supermarket, organising sightseeing for teams or picking up correspondence. With so many countries in the Olympic Village, there’s plenty of work to be had! I’ve been lucky enough to work with a number of countries so far, including Great Britain, Malawi, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Vanuatu, Libya and Eritrea (needless to say, I’ve had to brush up on my world geography!). Of course, I help out Australia when I can – it’s been great hearing the Aussie accent again as I walk around the Village.

Alana as National Olympic Committee (NOC) Assistant

Being a part of one of the biggest and most important events Argentina has ever hosted is certainly special. The enormous amount of the work everyone has put into organising the event and building basically a whole new suburb to host it is remarkable. Not to mention, every day I go to volunteer, I get to practice my Spanish, meet people from many different countries – and enjoy my love of sport.

Blog #7 - Living like a local

I had a friend who did her ICS year in Argentina last year, and before I arrived in Buenos Aires this year, she told me this: “The first six months, you live like an exchange student. The second six months, you live like a local.” I can now confirm this to be true.

I live in a different suburb to all my friends, outside of the exchange student bubble so I can experience more of the ‘real’ Buenos Aires. I have made friends at the verduleria (fruit & vegetable shop) and the health food shop; I’m one of the regulars at my local gym, and I wave hello to my neighbours each morning. It’s taken eight months, but I would say that I live like a local now.

One of the best ways to ingratiate yourself with the locals in Buenos Aires is through sport, namely football (soccer). We were lucky enough to get tickets last weekend to a Boca Juniors game, arguably the best team in Argentina, held at the famous stadium La Bombonera. Getting tickets is no easy feat, as they’re sold only to members, not publicly. Making it inside successfully was stressful, but it was worth it for the experience. The atmosphere at the stadium was electric! The

Alana at a football match in the crowd with Boca fans

did not stop singing for the whole match and the sound when they scored a goal was deafening. I was so amazed by their passion and fierce love for their team, and finally understood how it was possible for the fans to generate a 6.4 earthquake from jumping up and down in the stadium (that’s not a joke, they’ve measured it).

Another way I became more of a local was by making friends with the local triathletes. Triathlon is the sport I compete for in Australia, and I have been lucky enough to have found a triathlon club here and competed in some races. My last race, at the end of October, was the first time an event has ever been held in Buenos Aires city, and it was on almost the same course as the Youth Olympics from the week prior. It was such a great experience to compete in my adopted city and cheer on my new friends as well.

Alana holding an Australian flag with the Buenos Aires triathlete group

Blog #8 - A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

Living in South America for the year has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel the continent far and wide. Never again will I have the mobility, resources and language skills to travel this continent as I have done so far and have yet to do. Although sometimes I get homesick, I remind myself that I am extremely lucky to be living as I am, with the ability to travel so freely and widely. 

However, one of the biggest misconceptions is that it is easy and quick to travel around South America. Wrong! I’ve taken more flights this year than I think I have in my whole life, and they’re not always short flights. Well, it’s either that or extended travel by bus – it took us 27 hours by bus just to go to the northern border of Argentina.

Regardless, it is a privilege to be able to travel like this, and as the saying goes, ‘life is a journey, not a destination’.

Shortly I will be departing my adopted home of Buenos Aires to embark on a three-month tour of Central America, knocking off Mexico, Cuba, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama in one clean sweep. I’m not sure when I’ll come back to this region, so I am trying to squeeze in as much as I can before semester starts again in Australia. I am looking forward to catching up with various friends along the way and trying out different dialects of Spanish too.

Alana running next to a beach

More information about ICS

  • Read about the Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
  • Read about In-country study in the UTS Handbook

Related Links

ICS Colombia

ICS Costa Rica

ICS Germany

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

University of Technology Sydney

City Campus

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007

Get in touch with UTS

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Facebook

A member of

  • Australian Technology Network
Use arrow keys to navigate within each column of links. Press Tab to move between columns.

Study

  • Find a course
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • How to apply
  • Scholarships and prizes
  • International students
  • Campus maps
  • Accommodation

Engage

  • Find an expert
  • Industry
  • News
  • Events
  • Experience UTS
  • Research
  • Stories
  • Alumni

About

  • Who we are
  • Faculties
  • Learning and teaching
  • Sustainability
  • Initiatives
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Campus and locations
  • Awards and rankings
  • UTS governance

Staff and students

  • Current students
  • Help and support
  • Library
  • Policies
  • StaffConnect
  • Working at UTS
  • UTS Handbook
  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2025
  • ABN: 77 257 686 961
  • CRICOS provider number: 00099F
  • TEQSA provider number: PRV12060
  • TEQSA category: Australian University
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility