Universidad de San Andrés


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Study upper-level Spanish during the fall or spring semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Term: FallSpring
Program Type: Semester or Academic Year
Open to non-KU Students: No
Fulfills KU Core 4.2: No
Fulfills KU Core 5: No

  • Take classes with Argentine and other international students
  • Live in the capital city of Buenos Aires and experience Argentine culture
  • Open to Spanish majors and minors who have completed SPAN 340 and students from a variety of other majors

The University of Kansas program in Buenos Aires, Argentina offers students the opportunity to enroll in courses at the Universidad de San Andrés. Students will be able to take courses with both Argentine students and other international students. Additionally, UdeSA will give students the opportunity to participate in excursions and cultural activities as well as volunteer placements.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and is located on the Río de la Plata. It is a 500-year old cosmopolitan city renowned for its cuisine, architecture, and rich cultural and historical heritage. Each neighborhood has its own characteristics and style; for example, San Telmo is famous for tango, La Boca for its colorful houses, and Recoleta for its ornate cemetery, museums, and parks. Buenos Aires has a temperate climate with mild winters and hot summers. It’s important to keep in mind that Argentina’s seasons are opposite of the U.S. because they are in the southern hemisphere.

Universidad de San Andrés (UdeSA)

UdeSA is a small, private, liberal arts university that is internationally recognized as a premier institution of higher learning and research and is regarded as one of the top universities in Argentina and Latin America. UdeSA has around 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in programs in Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Each semester, San Andrés hosts approximately 80 international students. The UdeSA main campus is located on seven acres approximately 45 minutes from downtown Buenos Aires in a suburb called Victoria. It is a modern campus with a library, computer labs, study rooms, dining hall, green spaces, student counseling center, student lounge, and soccer field.

Students will directly enroll at UdeSA as a free mover and take courses with Argentine and other international students. Most students take a Spanish language course during the semester and are enrolled in three or four courses. Undergraduate courses are offered in accounting, business administration, cinema studies, communication, design, economics, education, finance, gender studies, history, human rights, international relations, journalism, literature, marketing, political science, theater, and visual arts. During the Fall semester, UdeSA typically offers several Business courses in English.

The UdeSA course catalog is available online. Most students take courses from the tercer año or cuarto año. Since Argentina is on the Southern Hemisphere academic calendar, please remember that “primer semestre” is KU's Spring semester and “segundo semestre” is KU's Fall semester.

Intensive Spanish Immersion Program

Students who would like to improve their Spanish skills prior to their semester abroad can participate in a three-week intensive Spanish immersion program for an additional fee. Depending on their Spanish level, UdeSA may strongly encourage some students to participate in the program to strengthen their Spanish skills prior to direct enrolling at the university.  

Resources

Students are encouraged to use the following resources to research available courses at UdeSA and to determine if these courses will meet their academic requirements at KU.

- UdeSA course catalog

- KU Course Equivalency Database is a list of:

  • Courses that are currently pre-approved for KU credit (approved equivalency)
  • Courses that students have had approved for KU credit in the past (possible equivalency)

- Credit Approval Process: This is the procedure for obtaining KU course equivalency approval for courses you plan to take abroad.

All courses taken and grades earned while abroad must be posted as KU equivalents on a student’s KU transcript and grades will figure into a student’s KU GPA. The relevant KU academic department will make the final decision regarding posting of credit and their application toward graduation.

UdeSA can provide resources and recommendations for students to rent an apartment, usually with a roommate, or a host family. Most students prefer to live in Buenos Aires and take public transportation to campus, but it also might be possible to live in the suburb of Victoria in a residence hall or apartment.

UdeSA has an Office of International Programs that will be students' main point of contact. They will hold a two-day orientation prior to the start of the semester and students will have the opportunity to meet other international students and the Study Abroad staff. Students can also participate in cultural activities to learn more about Buenos Aires and Argentina.



The office has a buddy program that matches international students with UdeSA students to help the adjustment to life in Argentina. There also may be social events such as meetings and day trips to encourage interaction between local and international students and to familiarize students with the region and history.



Students who would like to join a sports team are welcome to do so. There are teams for soccer, basketball, field hockey, swimming, archery, volleyball, and running. There are also tournaments for chess, golf, and tennis. Other extracurricular that San Andrés offers include an art workshop, choir, student magazine, and music groups. The university has many student organizations that focus on topics such as environmental and social issues and provide volunteer opportunities.

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Additional Resources

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

Students should have a minimum 2.75 GPA, six semesters or the equivalent of college Spanish, and have taken coursework related to intended studies at UdeSA. Exceptions considered after submission of a petition. 

Universidad de San Andrés

Universidad de San AndrésInternational Programs

Universidad de San Andrés Fact Sheet

San Andrés Building Excellence (SABE) Scholarships

San André​s offers students partial and complete tuition SABE scholarships awarded based both on merit and need. The scholarship is administered through UdeSA, so for more information students should contact UdeSA International Programs.