Moving and Sending a Child to School in Argentina

Article and photos by Molly McHugh

Argentina is one of the best destinations in South America to live abroad as a family, yet it is not without its challenges. There are large, English-language speaking communities in a few select areas such as Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Bariloche—but outside of these areas of tourists and expat hot zones Spanish is spoken almost exclusively so establishing relationships with local families can be very difficult. In addition, bilingual schools offering English-speaking staff are expensive (US$12 to US$20k+ per year).

Nonetheless, Argentina in most other aspects will awe and inspire you. From the majestic mountain ranges of Patagonia to the back-country river streams to the relentless Atacama Desert to the non-stop buzz of street life in cities and large towns—your family will never be short of options for educational, entertaining, and highly worthwhile activities.

Tourist Visa vs. Applying for Residency

Citizens of the U.S. now do not need a visa for visits of up to 90 days on vacation or business. Contact your Argentinean embassy if you wish to stay longer, as the regulations are subject to constant change. In the past there was a visa entry fee, which has now been waived, and after three months you must could the country, get an exit stamp in your passport, then turn around and re-enter with a new, 90-day tourist stamp. This is how some choose to live in Argentina (legally) for long periods of time. Others let their visa expire, then pay a fine when leaving the country. You can purchase property with only a Tourist Visa, and owning property is still the best way to gain permanent residency.

Your other option is to become a resident of Argentina. If you choose to obtain residency you will be unable to home school—it is illegal. Federal law in Argentina mandates that all children have to attend school. A few advantages of becoming a resident are: being able to purchase a car; own a business; low-cost college tuition for your children, and never having to leave the country to update a visa.

Selecting a School and Enrolling Your Child

The primary reason most families relocate to major metropolitan areas such as Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza and Bariloche is 2-fold: 

1. There are more English-language speakers in these areas due to businesses that cater to tourists and expats from the U.S., England, Canada and others who have chosen to call the area home. 
2. The availability of bilingual elementary, secondary and preparatory schools. 

A primary consideration is that the school year runs from March to December. Summer holiday is December to March. It will therefore be difficult for you to end a school year if you are live in the U.S., then keep on the same track in Argentina. Many bilingual schools fill up their early enrollment such that it is next-to-impossible to enroll during the course of the school year. Depending upon your child´s ability and age, he or she will either advance or partially repeat a grade level when entering the school system in Argentina.

This can work in your favor as it gives you time to adjust to a new area and have your children take private Spanish classes to prepare them for the challenges of a bilingual program. There is one private, bilingual school (Elementary, Secondary and High School) in Buenos Aires that operates on the American system with the school year beginning in August, The Lincoln School—a great option for those who can afford it. Annual tuition starts at approximately US14k per year plus a US$2.5k per child enrollment fee. You read that correctly—US$6,000 to enroll a child in Kindergarten on up!

Renting an Apartment in Argentina

You can rent an apartment in Argentina month-to-month in a manner similar to doing so in the U.S. or Canada, but this is not the norm and you will need to pay a few months of rent and/or a hefty deposit. I would recommend that you break away from the common expatriate locales (and where most tourists congregate, such as Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Bariloche), and head out of town some distance to a less populated area. Make friends with a few locals or visit an Immobilaria (real estate office) in your most conservative travel attire and you should have options available in no time.

In areas overrun by tourists you will likely be required to have a “guarantee” in order to rent. A guarantee is a person in Argentina who owns property and will co-sign the lease for you. For someone new to the country, of course, that would be impossible. Also, by law a permanent (unfurnished) apartment cannot be rented for less than two years. If you pay a full year of rent upfront, some will accept that in lieu of the guarantee.

There are many apartment brokers who specialize in renting to foreigners and can help you arrange a short- or long-term (furnished) rental. In Buenos Aires, contact a home rental agency for assistance

The Comforts of Home and Food

Even though my son and I have lived abroad in various locations for over five years, we are both guilty of “Americanizing” our experience of a new culture at times, comparing this or that to its counterpart in the U.S. For Argentina, it was the bacon (panceta). "The bacon is better in the states," my son said while thoroughly enjoying his B.L.T. A bit more salty and with a more hickory flavor than we are used to, eating this favorite food was a new and different experience.

Pizza Calabresa, a specialty in Argentina.

Moving to a new culture will always bring changes and an element of “missing the comforts of home,” especially for a child. Pizza has become a classically adopted American favorite food, yet when sitting and surveying the menu at most restaurants in Argentina you will not find pepperoni listed. Ask for "Pizza Calabresa," the closest and delicious pie that contains linquica—a Portuguese pork sausage similar to chorizo, spiced with onion, garlic and paprika and dry cured with red wine. It looks and tastes like pepperoni, so your kids will not feel deprived.

It is true Argentines consume large amounts of beef in their diets, but it also true that the country is accessible to those who are not carnivores by inclination. Pasta is a diet staple as well, with fresh spinach linguini and other home-made pastas available in corner groceries as well as at most restaurants. The complexity of the mix of lettuce plus vegetables (venduras) and other toppings such as tuna will vary, but healthy and tasty salads are always available.

Fresh vegetable and fruit stands are located in every area with an abundance of items to choose from. In addition, natural food stores are present even in small communities with the regular selection of bulk items such as black beans, brown rice (arroz integral), dried fruits, and nuts, etc. Non-traditional food afficionados can live very happily in Argentina.

Activities for Families and Children

From cultural events to adrenalin-producing activities, Argentina has it all. Museums, movie theaters, live theatre, bungee jumping (Salta), paragliding (Córdoba), white river rafting (Mendoza), fly-fishing (Bariloche) and snow and water sports are all popular. During the winter skiing and snowboarding is practiced at more than nine resorts. Visit the Ski Resorts in Argentina website to plan a trip.  

Surfing is popular during the summertime on the Atlantic coast in Mar del Plata and many smaller towns one to three hours away. San Roque is a lake in Villa Carlos Paz, just 20 minutes from the second largest city in the country, Córdoba, where you can wind and kite surf.

Sports are an integral part of the many extra-curricular activities of families in Argentina, and you will have numerous options for your children to acquire new skills while having a good time. Skateboarding and BMX parks are popular, as is soccer, tennis, rugby, fishing, volleyball, basketball, Polo, horseback riding, biking and swimming. In cities and most small towns, local parks have play areas with slides and such for younger children. 

The only unpleasant experience we have had so far is my 12-year-old son’s efforts to play in the local soccer league. After six weeks of enthusiastic hard work—diligently showing up for evening practices in chilly weather—he was only allowed to play in one game, for less than five minutes prior to the whistle blowing signaling the end of the match. My son decided that he could make much better use of his time—and have more fun—skateboarding with his other new friends. My son has never quit any activity he has initiated during his young life yet it was painfully obvious he wasn´t welcome as an equal participant on the soccer team. Whether the bias was Anti-American or for some other reason, the coach´s assurances when we signed-up that all children got to play at least twenty minutes per game were obviously not going to be honored. 

Life abroad is not going to be without its pitfalls, and as a foreigner you may be subject to mistreatment and discrimination—in the same way as what can occur in your country of origin. 

All in all, our experiences as an expat family living in Argentina for the past eight months have been overwhelmingly positive. Once the basics requirements to rent an apartment, set-up internet service, find staple food items outside the Argentinean norm, and making new friends and acquaintances—day to day life was been very enjoyable. 

Next on our agenda is an invitation to go hunting (no guns) with Galgos (similar to Greyhounds)—a breed of dog that can run up to 40 miles per hour and supposedly owned by Cleopatra and Frederich the Great—in search of the elusive Liebres americanas (Jackrabbits).  

Molly McHugh is a mother of a well-traveled who spent nine years on the road, largely in South America, engaging in cultural and educational travel.