Details

• Argentina
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Once you get accepted and the Utdt contacts you, everything goes very smoothly and easily. I highly recommend entering the Exchange group chat the partner university creates, be it for housing but also general information. I went during the winter semester which begins in August and I had booked my flights (including the return flight) in February, which I do recommend since the prices are quite high. However, I recommend not booking the return flight in advance, as you might change your mind and postpone it (which is exactly what I did). I brought some Euros and USDs in cash with me besides my credit card (I recommend getting Revolut), which was useful sometimes but not necessary in my opinion, also because you can easily exchange money at Western Union or other money exchange offices. If you go in the same period as me, consider packing for all four seasons. Even though the winter is not as cold as in Vienna or in Europe in general, it can get quite cold as well and you might go on trips to Patagonia or other cold places. At the same time, do not bring too much stuff (I ended up buying quite a lot there). Instead of the William Hope Insurance I recommend getting AON or others since they are cheaper options and pretty much all offer the same things (more or less). Bring your drivers license for when you go on road trips etc. Also, leave expensive jewellery at home and bring cheap one or don't wear any (or little). If you have one, bring an old phone you can use for trips to Brazil or for when you go out because it happens quite a lot that phones get stolen in clubs or at bus stops etc.

2. Accommodation

I found an accommodation through the exchange group chat the Utdt published. There I got in contact with other exchanges who were looking for roommates who I contacted. One of my roommates found an accommodation on Airbnb located in Palermo Soho, an area I really recommend, as it is a super nice and lively neighbourhood with many bars, restaurants and parks close by. The house was not very close to university (45-50min bus ride), but the neighbourhood is big and if you have a metro station nearby, it takes even less to get to uni. I felt very safe in Palermo Soho, many students and young people live there and I wasn't scared at night either. We had a terrace which was a great add to the house because we spent a lot of time there especially when it got warmer. I would recommend, if possible, to look for a place with (even just a small) outdoor area to hang out with friends and cook asados;) I am very happy with my choice of accommodation so there is not really anything I wish I would have known sooner.

3. Academic life at host university

I loved the campus (especially the rooftop terrace). It is very modern and has a lot to offer between different cafeterias and places to eat (not even very expensive), the library etc. The university offers a free shuttle service (approximately every 5-10min) from the university to Juramento and back which is really nice and I always used. During my stay, they were building another building and there will be (I think) another outside space, which I think will be really nice. The university also offers free sports courses, from yoga (sometimes even on the terrace when it's warm) to futsal to swimming etc. You can just subscribe and go when you feel like it. The terrace is a great spot to hang out in between classes or during lunch or even for group projects. I loved the teaching style at Utdt, some courses I took were very interactive which I really enjoyed, and the professors are really nice, always reachable and willing to help in case someone needs something. The courses are held in class and attendance is usually 80%. I took the courses "Technology, Innovation and Economic Growth", "Business and Strategy in the Digital Era" and "The Foundations of Happiness for Effective Leadership" (my favourite course, especially because of the professor who made it really enjoyable; and where I initially had problems with the recognition of the course but WU ended up accepting it). Compared to WU, I feel like teachers were more invested in the wellbeing of every single student, so I would say they were less distant. I wouldn't say it is better or worse, it is just a different culture and therefore a different teaching style they have.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport can be a little bit chaotic, but theres buses everywhere so all in all the city is well-connected. Also, Uber is really cheap so we used that a lot. As already mentioned before, I didn't feel unsafe despite people (especially before coming to Buenos Aires) telling me to be careful because it's dangerous and so on. Of course, being careful is important, but I think that as long as you know the places and situations to be more cautious in then you're good. At bus stops you should be careful with your phone since it happens that motorcycles drive by and steal it. I went running a lot and I always felt safe in the parks but also in the streets. Buenos Aires is a very lively city so there are always people around, which is something that made me feel safe. Besides attending the free yoga classes at uni, I had a gym membership which wasn't very expensive and sometimes I went to play tennis with my Argentinian friends. There are many offers for any type of sport, also Pilates classes and Padel, with relatively low prices compared to Vienna for example. The city is huge, therefore there are so many places to go to, like clubs, bars, tango shows, sports events like horse racing or polo. The options are literally infinite, you will always find something to do. My favourite place to go out was Rabieta, where all the exchange students go every wednesday.

6. Testimonial

It was one of the best decisions I’ve made so far, and I’d recommend it to anyone, regardless of location. I especially loved Buenos Aires, from its vibrant city life to the unique university experience and time spent with friends. Meeting inspiring professors, students, and locals made it even more special. Extending my stay beyond my planned return says everything about how much I enjoyed those months.