Is Argentina Safe?
The people throughout Argentina are very friendly and are always willing to help. Do however be cautious and well aware of your personal space at all times. Never let someone you do not know watch your luggage and never accept rides from anyone other than official taxi drivers.

Remember: you are in another country with a different set of social rules and regulations. What might be acceptable at home is not necessarily acceptable abroad. Ask questions and find out more about your city. Learn to adapt to different cultures and customs, part of your study abroad experience is to learn more about the world around you, be open and friendly.

What is the local currency?
The official Argentine currency is the Peso which is on a par with the US dollar and fluctuates with it. There are notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos.

Are a passport, visa, or vaccinations necessary?
A passport is required U.S./Canadian citizens do not need a visa for a tourist stay.

How do you get there from here?
All the airlines that fly to Argentina arrive at the Ministro Pistarini (Ezeiza) International Airport of Buenos Aires, 47 Km's. from the Capital and connected to it by the Teniente General Ricchieri motor way. Remember that on leaving the country a tax of $13 has to be paid.

What is the weather like?
Remember that in the southern hemisphere the seasons are the opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. In general, summer with mild temperatures and long days is the most ideal time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes. Winter time is recommended for traveling to the North and Northwest as the rains are less frequent and the tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. Autumn and Spring are marvelous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca.

Will my electrical gadgets work?
Electric power is supplied at 220 volts, 50 cycles AC and transformers are available in hotels and shops.

What is the best way to phone home?
Public telephones work with cards or "cospeles", which are tokens purchased in kiosks and the offices of the telephone companies. There are call boxes where you can pay in cash (in Buenos Aires the one belonging to Telefonnica Argentina is in Av. Corrientes, 707 and the one belonging to Telecom in San Mart'n, 640 are both open 24 hours a day).

It is smart to obtain an overseas phone card (they are usually free-of-charge) from your long distance carrier, such as MCI, AT&T or Sprint. MCI's Worldphone Program, for example, lets you phone the US/Canada from Argentina at greatly reduced rates from what you would pay from the regular charge. The long distance carrier will give you a special number to call when placing your call.