How a Month in Buenos Aires Changed the Way Students Live at Home

There are countless differences between Argentina and the United States, not the least of which is that here on the Latin American side, it鈥檚 winter in July. During one of 91自拍's Summer 2025 sessions, 36 Global Navigators spent four weeks of their summer vacations on the other side of the planet, braving the cold, getting to know a new culture, practicing a new language, and learning a whole lot in the process.

From the very beginning, Buenos Aires made a strong impression.

Here in Buenos Aires, life comes at you fast: the streets are filled with buses that don鈥檛 stop unless you wave down the driver, motorcycles that zip by and folks weaving through the chaos on their way to the many places they need to be. This hustle and bustle is contrasted by the way Argentines gather once they are settled inside or on the patio鈥攖hey take their time, eating, chatting and enjoying each other鈥檚 company slowly, always lingering at the table.

For many students, these slower, more intentional moments quickly became a highlight of daily life.

鈥淚 love that the Argentinian culture makes it a priority to make dinner time a family endeavor,鈥 said Global Navigator Caprice, 17. 鈥淎fter having dinner each night in Buenos Aires, my host family and I have long, fun, deep conversations after the meal. I really enjoy this time, and I want to bring this back with me to the United States.鈥

Food, however, is just one part of what connects people here.

Food is one of the many things that brings Argentines together鈥攁nother one is soccer (f煤tbol!), which is nearly ubiquitous in Argentine culture. Coming from the states, where soccer is just one of a constellation of popular sports rather than the country鈥檚 north star, Global Navigators were thrown into an environment of fanaticism, where they quickly learned of the rivalry between the two main teams of Buenos Aires, Boca Juniors and River Plate.

For some students, immersion meant more than just watching from the sidelines.

鈥淣ow that I have a Boca Juniors jersey, I think I鈥檓 a fan for life!鈥 said Caleb, 16.

Interested in spending a summer abroad with 91自拍? Explore all of our high school summer programs today!