Choosing a Master’s degree program is a really important decision (no pressure). There are so many options, the world is a big place, school can be really expensive, and you have to determine which program will get you closer to accomplishing your goals and finding a great job amidst all the competition. So, may I be so bold as to suggest graduate programs in Argentina?
I started a two-year Master’s program last year in arts management in Buenos Aires and it has been a wonderful experience. Here are 9 reasons you should consider studying here too:
1. Affordable Tuition!
So you don’t actually want to be in debt for the rest of your life and the foreseeable afterlife? And you do want to enjoy the years of your youth without the dark gray cloud of student loans looming above you? Well, there is good news ahead for you. Universities in Argentina are actually affordable! In fact, it can cost around six times less than what you’d pay in the U.S. Along with being affordable, it’s also high quality. Universities in Argentina offer a huge variety of graduate degree programs and an excellent level of education.
In my Master’s program, I’ve been thrilled to be working with professors who are at the top of their fields, have amazing insights and great connections.
Mente Argentina offers economic Master’s programs at top universities – among the most popular are the MBA program, the Master’s in International Relations and the Master’s in International Political Economy.
2. Really learn Spanish
As of 2016, Spanish is second only to Mandarin in the number of native speakers in the world, with an estimated 470 million and another 560 million Spanish speakers for whom it’s their first or second language. It’s the official language of 20 countries, from Spain to Cuba to El Salvador to Chile!
Earning a master’s degree in Spanish means reading in Spanish, listening to Spanish, talking in Spanish, and writing in Spanish – all of which will be extremely helpful in achieving fluency in the language. But, if you don’t know a lot of Spanish now, do not fear! There are many great opportunities to learn Spanish while earning a master’s degree in Argentina.
3. Broadening Perspectives
Even beyond the language, learning to adapt to life in another culture, learning how to get along with different people, to listen, to be open to diverse perspectives – these are the skills that will really set you apart and help you achieve the goals you aspire to achieve in your career and personal life.
4. International experience is valuable
This planet we inhabit is becoming more and more connected. A little something called globalization has made it increasingly important and valuable for job candidates to have international experience. So speaking another language and having international academic experience can be that extra something to boost you up in a competitive job market.
5. Intensive Master Programs
Don’t have much time? There are intensive master’s degrees in Argentina that are oriented specifically toward international students. These programs have flexible start dates and can be as short as one year. At the end of your master’s degree program in Argentina, you’ll get an internationally recognized diploma, no matter how long your program lasts. So anywhere you go, your degree will be valid and valuable.
Even if you’ve hardly got any time at all – maybe just a summer? – there are opportunities at Mente Argentina for you. In a graduate summer program, you can earn up to 6-8 US Semester Units or 12-16 ECTS credits taking classes in either English or Spanish.
6. Live in a diverse, international city
The immigrant story is the Argentine story. Around the turn of the 20th century, around 6.6 million Europeans, mostly from Italy and Spain, came to live in Argentina (yes, pizza is big here). Most of them arrived at the port of Buenos Aires and settled down in the city or the province nearby. Since then, there have been waves of immigration from other Latin American countries as well as from China, Korea, Germany, Russia, and Syria, just to name a few. This immigration makes universities in Argentina ultra international, giving students unparalleled experience learning and interacting in a diverse setting.
7. A great learning environment
Buenos Aires is the most international Spanish-speaking city in South America. In my graduate program in Argentina, there are students from all over the world; this makes class an adventure. Not only do I learn a lot from my professors, but I also get a fascinating perspective from my compañeros. I hear their firsthand experiences about their home countries (most of which I haven’t visited yet) and gain valuable insights about what life, politics, culture, and the arts is like in ten different countries. In my arts management program, there’s a huge diversity not only of nationalities, but also of specializations. There are people who work in theater, music, publishing, museums, public policy, and visual arts, so group projects are interesting to say the least.
8. Challenge = growth
Stretch your limits. Break them. Build them up again, and then redefine them. Be willing to expand. You will learn a lot about yourself both in and out of the classroom. Talk to people. A crucial part of learning a new language is learning how to listen and observe. Absorb as much as you can. Make valuable connections and try new things. Explore and drink mate. You’ll get lost. Don’t panic! You’ll feel alone. Get to know yourself outside of the familiar. You’ll feel uncomfortable. Figure out what your needs are.
These feelings are all valuable because they force you to reflect (plus it’s great fodder for your future memoir, right?). Living and studying abroad gives you new perspective on your home country as well as the one you’re getting to know.
9. You’ll Love BA!
Haven’t you always wanted to come to Buenos Aires? Or if you’ve come already, don’t you want the chance to stay longer? I came for the first time in 2012, and by 2014 I was back to stay. This city continues to surprise me. I’m always discovering new parks, cozy cafés to study in, great empanada spots, and beautiful murals. I have met wonderful people here from all over the world, and I still haven’t had enough. And when I’m not studying, there’s a constant flow of concerts, art shows, everything theater (Buenos Aires has the highest concentration of theaters in the world), Tai Chi in the park, museums, asados on rooftops (these barbecues are a Very Big Deal), soccer games (Boca 4 life), wine nights… there’s an endless number of things to do, and ways to get involved while completing a master’s degree in Argentina. Taking the leap was the best decision I’ve made for myself, and I think you’ll feel the same!