Study abroad in Latin America and live a rewarding experience!
You will have the opportunity to get to know other countries and experience other cultures in an immersive way.
Who wouldn’t love to travel and develop academically to obtain better skills for their professional future? But it can be daunting too.
Searching for universities and programs abroad is complicated, so we have prepared a guide to the best 7 countries to study in Latin America.
Let’s begin!
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Benefits of Studying Abroad in Latin America
Studying outside your country brings many benefits to your life, but studying in Latin America can be an unforgettable experience.
One of the main advantages is the cost of living and studies. The cost of living in Latin American countries makes educational programs more affordable than in other continents.
From cheaper supermarkets, medicines, and transportation fares to renting an apartment and eating outside, life is much more accessible.
You can also enjoy the great diversity of cultures in a single country.
For example, in Brazil, you find a multicultural population since there are plenty of indigenous, European, African, and, to a lesser amount of people, Asian people.
And finally, if you want to learn a new language, studying abroad is one of the best and easiest ways to pull it off.
Several universities offer language adaptation programs with intensive courses or complete English programs.
And if you already know a little Spanish, by studying in any Spanish-speaking country, you can practice it, refine it and nourish it with new vocabulary and idioms.
Read also: 10 Amusing Facts About Spanish Culture and Traditions
Top 7 Countries to Study in Latin America
The educational quality in Latin American countries has many advantages since it will provide your professional career with unique knowledge.
Traveling to these countries to live the academic adventure will give you many stories to tell your family, friends, and maybe your future children and partner.
So, let’s get to know these incredible places!
1. Argentina
Argentina is the second largest country in Latin America, making it an excellent option for your university career.
This country is the home of Patagonia, exquisite dishes, a very particular geography, wonderful artists, and an exciting soccer culture.
Due to its good educational programs, cheap rates, and tourist cities, Argentina is a famous destination for studying a higher education program.
Its popular study fields are law and business, social sciences, science, ICT, engineering, art, and design.
The best Argentina universities are Universidad de Buenos Aires, the #1 in the National Rank and the #95 QS World University Rankings. Then there is Universidad Nacional de La Plata and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.
Some public universities’ tuition is free for local and international students, such as the Universidad de Buenos Aires.
In most private universities, international students can request scholarships or financial aid.
Most institutions include support for foreign students to complete the necessary paperwork and enroll in the educational program in which they are interested.
As well as groups in charge of providing housing assistance so people can find a place to live in case the university does not have rooms.
In Argentine culture, you can enjoy wine, famous asados, and mostly Italian food. You’ll find clubs where you can listen and learn to dance tango and many places to enjoy a good mate.
The living costs of a person in Argentina are between 450 to 600 US dollars a month, including rent. Consider it as a stage to grow your savings!
Learn more about the best universities in Argentina in this article.
2. Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and is famous for its beautiful beaches, party climate, and very friendly and welcoming locals.
Life in this country is full of things to do, dozens of important cities to visit, and traditions to celebrate with its people, such as the Carnival, which is the biggest party in the country.
But also one of the countries with some of the best academic programs and institutions in South America. So, here you will receive a world-class education.
Out of the 300 universities featured in the Latin American rankings, Brazilian ranks in number 76. The best are Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado.
The official language is Portuguese, but that does not prevent you from hearing Spanish, Italian, French, and even German on its streets, as well as indigenous languages.
So, if learning a language immersive calls your attention, this country is perfect for you!
Just like in Argentina, public universities in Brazil have the option of studying for free or at a low cost.
The cost of living in Brazil is a bit higher than other countries in South America. The monthly percentage of expenses is $600 to $700, including food, transportation, and rent.
Learn about some of the best study programs for foreigners in Brazil in this article.
3. Costa Rica
Another great option to study abroad is Costa Rica, one of the safest countries in Central America.
This is an ideal destination for students looking for important training in their academic life but also to enjoy its beaches, volcanoes, and tropical jungles.
The most famous study fields in Costa Rica are Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering.
But suppose you’re a student interested in biology and environmental sciences. In that case, the biodiversity in this country will give you a more real focus, and you will be able to put it into practice.
Due to the high tourist demand, most programs and universities in Costa Rica include programs for international students, scholarships, financial aid, and housing location.
This country has a high lifestyle with political stability and economic prosperity, making it attractive for immigrants.
The best universities to study are Universidad de Costa Rica (ranked 18th in QS University Ranking: Latin America), Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, INCAE Business School of Costa Rica, and International University of the Americas.
In addition, it has a wide variety of language schools to learn Spanish. Learn about the 8 Places to Learn Spanish in Costa Rica.
However, this country is one of the most expensive in which you can live in Central America since the cost of living is close to $1,500 or $2,000 a month. Very similar to the United States or Europe.
4. Colombia
Although it once had a reputation for danger, it has become safer for tourists and as a study destination.
Like the previous countries and the rest of Latin America, Colombia’s richness lies in its culture, traditions, biodiversity, arts, and prosperous economy.
Furthermore, it is said that Colombians are the happiest citizens in the world.
Colombia has one of the highest-ranked universities in South America. The Universidad de Los Andes ranks 8th in Latin America & 283rd worldwide.
By having several of its universities in the world and regional rankings, a high number of international students enroll.
Colombian universities are known for their study fields in engineering, administration, and social sciences.
Unfortunately, in Colombia, public universities have an average tuition of approximately $630 per semester.
At private universities, tuition fees range from $1,000 to $4,500
However, all universities have some type of financial support or scholarships that you can opt for to minimize expenses or save rent, transportation, food, etc.
5. Chile
Chile is one of South America’s most developed countries and hosts many prestigious universities.
The country is incredibly diverse in terms of climate. Here you can find deserts, many forests, a rainy season, and snowy mountains.
Santiago de Chile, the most important city in the country, has an impressive arts scene and was ranked 49th in the QS Best Student Cities index.
Additionally, Chile has one of Latin America’s best universities, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, which ranks 3rd in Latin America, while in the QS World University Rankings, its positioned at 170th.
IES Abroad Santiago and CIEE Santiago are two of the largest schools that offer highly recommended study courses and programs.
It is one of the most expensive destinations for a student’s life. Nevertheless, tuition and accommodation are still more cost-effective than anywhere else in Latin America.
A student studying in both a public and private university should have a budget of approximately $5,500 per year.
Learn about nontraditional cities to study abroad in Chile in this article.
6. México
This is one of the most famous countries in Latin America and a popular destination among international students.
The immense variety of Mexican dishes, the warm climate, and the low cost of living are all characteristics that make México the perfect place to study abroad.
Mexican colleges offer a wide variety of excellent educational options since 45 of them are within the World University Rankings.
Usually, classes at Mexican universities are in Spanish; however, many English-taught programs are available for international students.
One of those universities is the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).
The costs of studies in the universities of Mexico vary depending on the degree and the university that the student will choose.
The approximate cost at a private university is $5,000 per year. Public university costs range from $300 to $800 a year for undergraduate programs.
In this article, learn about other cities to study abroad in Mexico besides Mexico City.
7. Uruguay
Although this country is not on the international radar regarding higher education, Uruguay continues to flourish and has lots of strong university programs.
For peace, democracy, lack of corruption, prosperity, and being a relaxed country, it has been named the Best Place to Study in South America.
The country offers a vibrant art scene, beaches, entrepreneurial spirit, and Uruguayans have one of Latin America’s best qualities of life.
In Uruguay, you can find the Universidad de la República, the only public university in the country; and the Universidad de Montevideo, a private university and leader in world rankings over the public one.
Popular fields of study include law, medicine, engineering, economics, and sciences.
Financial aid programs are available for international students, such as scholarships and other programs that benefit with housing, transportation, and food.
The cost of living is quite reasonable. On average, life in Uruguay is 28% cheaper than in the United Kingdom. However, students must consider having a budget of $3,000 per month to cover all expenses.
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Testimonials From Students
A student at Oberlin College in Argentina said, “I learned so much about the political history and ongoing social justice efforts around Argentina. The other students were great, supportive and excited to explore the city together. During the semester, we received stipends for food and transportation so that made budgeting much simpler for me.”
Charlotte S, who studied Architecture in Montevideo, Uruguay, wrote: “I learned how to live on my own in a city in a different country/continent/hemisphere, where the language spoken was not my first language, and I made friends from all around the world while becoming ingrained in the local culture.”
A student who studied at Rio de Janeiro wrote: “I gained and learned too much to even mention. I have traveled and lived abroad before but if you keep your eyes and ears open Rio will teach you everything you need to know. No other place is like that.”
How to Choose the Right Study Abroad Program
Making the decision that will improve your professional level, your empathy, help you develop new skills, and add unique experiences to your life should not be taken lightly.
The first thing to consider is whether the university offers your desired program.
You must analyze each curriculum to determine if the program has all the courses you need, the length of the program, what language you should know to be a student, etc.
Then, if your budget is limited, you should consider getting financial aid or a scholarship to reduce costs and avoid getting student loans.
Make sure that the program is in the city or country where you want to go.
Some universities are based in smaller cities, and your program may not be in the metropolis or location you dreamed of.
Investigate what processes and paperwork you must complete before making the trip to avoid setbacks. Be sure to apply for a student visa if necessary.
In some countries, you must get particular vaccines due to the type of climate and foods your body is not prepared to handle. Brazil is one of those countries that require vaccines to enter.
And finally, seek to study the local language to make your experience more immersive. It is vital to learn Portuguese or Spanish to develop yourself and have more freedom to learn and travel.
See also: What Is Acculturation and 5 Tips for Successful Acculturation
Embrace Educational Opportunities in Latin America
Latin American countries have so much to offer. Their cultures, history, people, traditions, and food will nurture you as a person.
In addition, studying in Latin America will give you a different point of view as a professional since you will focus on a global scenario and not only on your country of origin.
In this increasingly globalized world, companies are looking for people with experience in cultural diversity since it will generate new and better projects to promote.
Additionally, studying abroad will give you another reason to learn a new language.
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