Studying Abroad in Argentina During the 2026 World Cup

“And this right here is Buenos Aires, which translates literally to ‘good air.’” Who knew that line from my 10th-grade Spanish class would come full circle during a summer in college, when I studied abroad in said city.  

As a first-generation, low-income (FGLI) student, study abroad has always been a bucket-list dream—not a realistic one. But when the opportunity came with a life-changing experience in Buenos Aires, who was I to pass it up? Eight weeks in Argentina during a historic World Cup soccer season has been nothing short of challenging and transformative.  

The first half  

I hit the ground running from the moment I landed. From meeting my lovely host mom (shoutout to Lala!) to starting classes promptly, adjusting to the Argentine experience filled me with curiosity and nervousness. I wasn’t 100% confident in my Spanish, but that quickly disappeared after ordering daily empanadas at Sabores Express (carne picante y espinaca—spicy beef and spinach—hit the spot).  

Intermission  

Being a Black woman in Buenos Aires had its highs and lows. Yes, subtle racism was common. Yes, I was asked if I was Brazilian many times. Yes, people were shocked that I understood Spanish. But through it all, I was able to see Argentina through a clearer, more honest lens. Conversations with locals were mostly filled with genuine curiosity about who I was—and a stark reminder of how similar yet different the fight for representation can be. Sidequesting with friends after class across different neighborhoods and watching World Cup matches together created core memories, new friendships, and conversations I won’t forget. (Note: the food scene in Palermo Soho is worth the hype!) 

Goal-winning highlights  

One of the most rewarding parts of my study abroad experience was the Afro-Argentine tour with Lunfarda Travel. With Argentina in the World Cup spotlight, it felt imperative to understand the Afro-Argentine experience from a first-person perspective.  

I remember standing in front of a statue of María Remedios del Valle. Our guide explained how she had fought alongside Manuel Belgrano, been wounded, survived, and then—despite her rank and service—ended up begging in the streets. The guide paused and said: “They erased her from history books for almost 200 years.”  

I felt that to my core. Here was a Black woman who helped found this country, and I’d never heard her name until a tour guide said it on a Buenos Aires street corner. That’s the thing about the diaspora—you keep finding pieces of a story someone tried to hide.  

Learning about del Valle and the revolutionary María Magdalena “Pocha” Lamadrid—whose story single-handedly disproves the myth that there are no Black people in Argentina—broadened my understanding of identity across the African diaspora. Experiences are heavily context-dependent, but this tour emphasized how interconnected the fight for visibility, belonging, and justice truly is across the globe.  

The championship results  

Coming home after eight eventful weeks brought a range of emotions. As a FGLI Black woman, returning was a stark reminder of how privileged and grateful I am to have had these opportunities, especially knowing many in my community don’t have access to them. While I’m ecstatic to reunite with friends and family and share the multitude of stories I collected, I will cherish the memories that summer in Buenos Aires 2026 gave me (¡y mi fluidez en español es mejor!). Take that leap of faith and study abroad! 

Nhaomi L. | Harvard University | IFSA Summer in Buenos Aires, Argentina | Summer 2026