Why study Spanish in Buenos Aires?
Do you want to learn Spanish? Nothing can replace living in a Spanish-speaking country, where you are surrounded by and get to practice the language every day. Language teacher Jørgen explains why you should study the language specifically in Buenos Aires.
It was the Argentine Spanish that attracted Jørgen Mossefin Ruud to Argentina and later to Buenos Aires. After several years in the city, the Spanish teacher is still fascinated by the vibrant language and the city's cultural and architectural diversity.
– I believe Buenos Aires is a great city to live and study in because you are 'spoilt for choice'. There's an incredible diversity of people, culture, and architecture, and it seems almost impossible not to find something to be enchanted by.
He also highlights how the Argentine society, and consequently the language, is constantly evolving.
– I look at Latin America in contrast to Europe. Here, on this continent, history and culture are still in motion. In contrast, the history of 'old Europe' is deeply etched into consciousness, and the structures seem unchangeable.
In Argentina, nothing is set in stone. This is also reflected in the language. I like the slightly rebellious attitude towards language. There must always be a healthy balance between what happens inside the language lab, and what happens out on the street.
It was Latin American literature that steered Jørgen's interest southward. After reading the Argentine Julio Cortázar's novel Paradise, the desire to read this and other Latin American novels in the original language emerged.
– What ultimately was decisive, the very reason I went to and stayed in Argentina, was the language. The Argentine Spanish. It has a unique musicality, a temperament, and an aesthetic that suits me well. I ended up studying Licenciatura en Letras at the University of Rosario from 2002 to 2008.
Since then, he has worked as a Spanish teacher, and he has followed the language development of beginners and more advanced students.
– The progression of students over the course of a semester largely depends on the level they are studying at. Of course, if you are a beginner, the learning curve will be steep, but that's exactly why it's one of the most rewarding learning experiences.
If you study Spanish in Buenos Aires, you have the best opportunities to experience the language up close, and you'll figure things out much faster than you would as a student in Scandinavia.
When it comes to this type of learning, I am convinced that there is no adequate substitute for absorbing the language with the culture.
Spanish has increasingly become a global language of commerce, and can be useful to have in the job market. For Jørgen, it's also a lot about aesthetics and connection.
– Spanish is a beautiful language. It allows for a certain temperament, and has a dramatic flair that might not be as pronounced in Scandinavian languages.
At the same time, it is very precise and logical, so if you like things to 'make sense', you can expect that from Spanish. I also believe it is a language that people from very diverse backgrounds can feel at home with.
Read about Synne's journey from student to teacher
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Spanish in Argentina
- Introduction to Spanish in Argentina
- Spanish with exphil and exfac
- Portraits
From Spanish student to Spanish teacher
Spanish in Buenos Aires
With Kulturstudier, you can choose between 2 different Spanish courses in Argentina. If you don't know any Spanish beforehand, we recommend our basic course, and if you have already studied Spanish in high school, our Spanish study (with Norwegian credits) is probably the best fit. Get in touch if you have any questions we can help with.
