Erasmus Experience in Cordoba, Argentina by Floris

Why did you choose to go to Cordoba, Argentina?

Cordoba is more familial than Buenos Aires if you choose between 2 big cities in Argentina. The spirit gives you a real taste of the argentinian culture far from the european side you can have in Buenos Aires. If you managed it well and meet local people, hang out with them and visit them often you will know more about the language, the culture and the habits. Cordoba is also closer to the nature than you think and it is great to spend the week end outside the city and discover the region.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I didn't receive any scholarship. because we are outside EU, and the common Erasmus help doesn't reach South America, I also already use one for an internship (Erasmus+ programm) in London.
The living cost is arround 600/700 euros per months, all included. Obviously it really depends on how much you spend on parties. Everything is else is not overpriced. you can spend arround 300 euros in accommodation, 100 in food, 100 between taxi and buses for transports, and another 100/200 in extras (a pair of shoes, a little trip, some parties...)
It is a fair ammount regarding the quality of life you get here.

What is the student lifestyle like in Cordoba?

The student lifestyle in Cordoba is great. You will tend to be with other international student from your school, or same nationality, if you do this, you do wrong. the best is in the local environnment, when you go out with the local students. they will bring you home for the classical asado and discover far more of the country and the culture. they are a few spot were people tend to go out. more of nightcub than bar. the nightlife is very important in Cordoba with arround 200 000 students in the city each year. you can see that un january, when everyone is on holidays, the city is really a ghost town !

Would you recommend the city and the University of Cordoba to other students?

Yes of course! the city is great to have a mix of nature, student life, culture, food scene, it is really well balanced. The universities are great too. Mine, the Catholic University of Cordoba organise lots of events for international students and tend to be active to help them in having a good stay. I highly recommend them for any stay or student exchange there.

What is the food like?

regarding food, you can have some lomitos (sandwich), asados, pizzas, pastas, choripan (hotdogs)...
A great place to go is IT ITALY, italian cuisine, fair price, good atmosphere and great cuisine.
another place is to go for a parilla. mix of meat. there are also places for vegan that are popping up recently.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Cordoba?

yes, some landlords send you fake info, fotos about their accommodation and then ask you to pay the rent in euros at an exchange rate that is fake too. Because you are new to this international spirit they tend to abuse of you not understanding everything. official rates can be found here www.xe.com if they try to negociate something and you have a bad feeling about it, trust your feelings and moove away. I moved 3 times before finding the right accommodation. sometimes it is not overpriced, but hey ask you to pay upfront the entire rent online, via wester union or other untracable method. don't accept that. they will deseappear after they receive the payment. and you will have no flat. Sometimes they try to keep the safety deposit with a bullshit excuse at the end of your stay, something like "the window is a little broken or here the wall is not that white as the beginning, you broke that glass"...
other advice is sign a contract. most of the landlord doesn't like to sign contract because it engage them in a relationship and set their responsabilities. You have to make them sign a contract and have a copy. if something is wrong you can show the contract to your school of the police, or you can negotiate with your landlord regarding wwhat's in the contract.
Most of the good flats/accommodations are not in the so popular "Nueva Cordoba neighborhood", I had much better experience in shared house in Alberdi rather than a little flats in Nueva Cordoba.
When you are in the flat, you don't have space for yourself, to hang out, to study, to relax, to sleep, most of the students are on party everyday, even on exams. Streets are noisy in Nueva Cordoba.

How much does it cost to live in Cordoba?

600/700 euros per month. it depends of the inflation and the period you start your exchange, but more or less that the ammount you will spend.
accommodation: 300
food: 100
transport: 100
others (travels, parties...): 100/200 depends on you

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

i needed 3 months to have un understanding knowledge of the language. then 9 months to be able to have very clear conversation about various topic. it depend how fast you learn, and how many times you interract with the language.
language courses area vailable at the nacional university, language faculty in the centre.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Cordoba from your city?

the best is to take the plane to the city. you can also arrive in Buenos Aires, change to retiro bus station and take a bus. depend on the airplace ticket difference.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Cordoba?

Guemes. it is the boheme neighborhood, vibrant, and very cosy.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Cordoba?

IT ITALY, Betos

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

the iglesia catedral, paseo del buen pastor, iglesia capuchino (sagrado corazón)

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Cordoba in the future?

Cordoba is great to have a economic and very local experience. you can learn a lot from the culture and yourself. It is also a strategic place to visit the country. perfectly located to take a bus or plane to other places. you are 1 night away from Mendoza, Salta, Uruguay, Buenos Aires...
the city centre is not that wide, so you can walk by yourself to go to any places to visit, hang out, school or whatever you like to do (sport...)