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CONTACT: intercambio@ucongreso.edu.ar

Incoming Students

Why Argentina? Why Mendoza?


Despite being at the far end of the continent students who venture to Argentina to study abroad often have a hard time coming back home. Rich in culture, cuisine, and history, studying in Argentina will stimulate every one of your senses. Whether you'd like to climb sand dunes or wade in one of the country's many cool, blue rivers, Argentina offers all kinds of natural wonders, ranging from the highest peak in South America to Patagonia's world renowned landscapes. But its environment won't be the only incredible thing you encounter, you'll also travel through some amazing cities, Buenos Aires the most widely recognized of all, Mendoza a beautiful small-city environment at the base of the Andes Mountains. Learning to dance tango or tasting some of the world's best steak, Argentina will never leave you feeling bored.

South America's second largest country and the world's eighth, Argentina is a fiery melting pot of distinct cultures despite its dominant Latin roots. Because of Argentina's large size, you will find many different regions, allowing you to experience contrasts within a single country.

Despite the majority of the population is from Spanish and Italian descent, Argentina is a diverse, multicultural center with a wonderful culture and strong economy. Immerse yourself in a new culture, study a language among native speakers, and experience Argentina the way it’s meant to be experienced--as a resident! Mendoza. A bustling city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes, Mendoza is a trap. Even if you’ve only given it a semester or two, you’re bound to end up hanging around, captivated by the laid-back pace while surrounded by every possible comfort.

Ostensibly it’s a desert town, though you wouldn’t know unless you were told – acequias (irrigation ditches) that run beside every main road and glorious fountains that adorn every main plaza mean you’ll never be far from the burble of running water.

Lively during the day, the city really comes into its own at night, when the bars, restaurants and cafes along Av. Arístides fill up and overflow onto the sidewalks with young people, out to see and be seen. The city’s wide range of tour operators also makes it a great place to organize rafting, skiing and other adventures in the nearby Andes.

Mendoza is 1050km west of Buenos Aires via RN7 and 340km northwest of Santiago (Chile) via the Los Libertadores border complex

Why study at UC?



  • UC is located at the heart of Mendoza City, allowing students to move short distances daily.
  • After Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, it is the second university regarding international student mobility, receiving at least 30 international students per semester.
  • UC is a university with a strong bias towards internationalization. UC maintains an active Exchange program with foreign universities, which is crucial to our academic environment. This interest has led to the realization of exchange agreements with over 20 countries.  
  • UC has an inclusive tradition
  • Mendoza is in a strategic postion for students who want to use their experience in Argentina and meet the rest of the country as well as our neighboring country of Chile, since Mendoza is located only 6 hours from Santiango, capital of Chile.
 
Students that come to Mendoza to study with the Puente Program can have access to these Spanish immersion programs with Intercultural.

Our courses are 8 weeks long with two weekly classes of 1,5 hours long (3 hours a week total). In each of these courses students could get the knowledge to get the desired level of Spanish, or keep studying for 8 more weeks to improve the Spanish level.

For each spanish level approved, students will get a certificate and a Transcript of records with 2 credits for every 8 weeks long course. Students can add credits to their transcripts if they keep taking (and passing) the 8 weeks courses.

Conditions to approve each level: 75% class attendance, homework and a final exam passed with at least 70%.
LOCATION


The Mendoza province sits in the western-central region of Argentina, just over 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) west of Buenos Aires. The province shares a border with the provinces of San Juan, San Luis, La Pampa and Neuquén. Its capital is also Mendoza, a city famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. The western edge of the province shares a natural border with the Andes Mountains; Santiago de Chile (Chile’s capital city) is about 235 miles (380 kilometers) further west. 

GENERAL GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION


Mendoza, is located in central west Argentina. It is in a mild climate zone where temperatures average 24ºC in the summer and 9º in the winter; it rains in the summertime. The characteristics of its weather and wildlife are due to the presence of the Andes Mountains. The scarce rainfall leads to a shortage of water in all of the province. Glacier and snow melt from the high mountains provides water to the many streams that start in the mountains. They supply the rivers that go through the mountainous chains through steep slopes. "Zonda" wind is typical of this type of weather and geography, generating big snowfalls in the high mountains, strong winds in the plains and temperatures that range from 25ºC to 28ºC in wintertime.

Situated in a desert area and receiving fewer than 10-days of rain per year, Mendoza is surprisingly green. Lining the streets are rows of trees that provide essential shelter during the hot summer days. The notable greenery is a consequence of an artificial irrigation system, which waters the trees and also creates a natural cooling system. Irrigation in the region dates back to the per-Hispanic era, and the early Spanish settlers saw an opportunity to plant vineyards throughout the region. Wine has been sold from Mendoza since the early 18th-century and today the city is synonymous with wine-production and wine tourism in the form of bodega tours and tastings.

GENERAL WEATHER INFORMATION


The Mendoza region is pleasant to visit all year round. The summer months, from mid-December to late-February, are both the high season and hot season. Expect temperatures of over 90°F (32°C) during the daytime and mild nights of 59-64°F (15-18°C). Don’t be surprised if the days hit the 104°F (40°C), either. The end of summer is harvest time, when the grapes reach full ripeness. Late spring (October to mid-December) and autumn (April to June) offer cooler temperatures and generally fewer tourists. Autumn is particularly agreeable as, with the change of the season, the countryside becomes a blanket or orange and red. Winter temperatures range from 35-57°F (2-14°C). While mornings can be cold, clear skies and sunshine make afternoons enjoyable. The ski season runs from mid-June to October.

POPULATION
200.000 in the City and 2.000.000 in the greater Mendoza area  

GENERAL INFORMATION


Today, Mendoza is one of the most popular year-round tourist destinations in Argentina and from here you can travel to just about anywhere in the country. The Terminal del Sol (cnr Av. Videla and Acceso Este) is the central bus station, situated about 10 blocks from the city center. It’s on the corner of busy freeway so you’re best bet is to get a taxi rather than walk. Among other destinations, buses connect with Bariloche (18 hours), Buenos Aires (15 hours), Córdoba (11 hours), Neuquén (12 hours) and Tucumán (15 hours). There’re also international bus services to Montevideo (21 hours), Santiago de Chile (8 hours) and Lima (60 hours). In the winter months, services to Chile are dependent on the weather conditions.

Alternatively, Mendoza has an international airport – Francisco Gabrielli International Airport – that receives regular flights from Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, as well as Córdoba, Iguazú Falls, Rosario and Salta. The airport is about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) north of the city center.

 

PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE WEB PAGE


www.turismo.mendoza.gov.ar  

OTHER WEB PAGES OF INTEREST
  • www.cultura.mendoza.gov.ar
  • www.ciudaduniversitaria.gov.ar
  • www.argentina.gob.ar/tema/extranjeros/estudiar
  • Useful Information

     

    HEALTH INSURANCE

    All students must bring with them an international health insurance with covid 19 coverage.

    EMERGENCIES

      DIAL 911
      International telephonecode: +54
    National telephone code: 0261
     - Unidad Policial de Asistencia al Turista - UPAT (tourist police)
    Avenida San Martín, 1143 San Martín (Ciudad)
    Código Postal: 5500
    Tel.: 4256460 
      - Centro de información toxicológica: 5207000
    - Cruz Roja Argentina: 4299173 (San Juan 938, Ciudad)
    - Asistencia al turista: 4132100 (San Martín 1143, Ciudad – Ente Provincial de Turismo)
    - Defensa Civil
    Godoy Cruz: 0800 800 6864 (Joaquín V. González y Salvador Arias, Godoy Cruz)
    Guaymallén: 4498162 (Libertad 710, Guaymallén)
    Las Heras: 4129600 (San Miguel y Rivadavia, Las Heras)
    Luján de Cuyo: 103 / 4987647 (Mariano Boedo 505, Carrodilla, Luján de Cuyo)
    Ciudad: 4441010 / 4443664 / 4443638 
     

    MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

      In Argentina you could get free health assistance in our public hospitals, but your health insurance could send you to either of these private clinics/hospitals.
     
    Clínica de Cuyo Tel: 4059000 Avenida José Vicente Zapata, 63 – Ciudad
    Clínica Santa Clara Mendoza Tel: 6842809 Avenida San Martín Sur, 835 – Godoy Cruz
    Hospital Español Mendoza Tel: 4490300 / 4490382 Avenida San Martín Sur, 965 – Godoy Cruz
    Traumatología: Clínica Francesa Tel: 0810 222 0657 Avenida Ejército de los Andes, Dorrego

    Public Hospitals

    Hospital Central Tel.: 4490684/4490665 L. N. Alem, esquina Salta – Ciudad Hospital Luis Lagomaggiore Tel.: 5204600 Timoteo Gordillo s/n – Parque General San Martín
    Hospital Pediátrico Dr. Humberto Notti Tel.: 4132500  Avenida Bandera de los Andes, 2603 – Guaymallén Hospital del Carmen Tel.: 4228800 Joaquín V. González, 245 – Godoy Cruz
       

    TOURIST INFORMATION

    www.cultura.mendoza.gov.ar
    www.mendoza.gov.ar
    www.mendoza.com.ar
    www.turismo.mendoza.gov.ar 
    www.mendozatour.com.ar 
    www.mendozadenoche.com.ar

    Cultura

    www.cultura.mendoza.gov.ar
    www.ciudaddemendoza.gov.ar

    Centro de Información Turística nº 1
    Avenida 9 de Julio 500 Tel 449-5185
      Centro de Información Turística nº 2
    Avenida San Martín, esquina Garibaldi Tel 420-1333
      Centro de Información Turística nº 3
    Avenida Las Heras 670 Tel 425-7805
     

    CURRENCY

    The local currency is ARGENTINEAN PESO
    Bills: $5 - $10 - $20 - $50 - $100 - $500 - $1000
    Coiins: $2 - $1 – $0,50 - $0,25 - $0,10 
      Exchange money:
    Cambio Santiago SA Avenida San Martín 1199. Tel: 4200277
      Cambio Express General Espejo 58. Tel: 4291441
     

    PUBLIC TRANSPORT

    We have several buses that run through the city.  The cost of the ticket is of AR$35.
      TAXIS  
    Taxi 4222555 4303300 4455855 Remis 4370880 4458555 4239999 4232123
     

    NIGHTLIFE IN MENDOZA

    Most bars and restaurants are located in downtown Mendoza.  We have a lot of nightlife.
     

    RECOMMENDED TOURS

    City tour To get to know the city better
    Circuito de Alta Montaña  It's a full day tour through the Andes 
    Alta Montaña y Villaviencio Circuito de Alta Montaña y visita a Villavicencio. 
    Villavicencio Visit to a Natural Protected Area.
    Ruinas de las Minas de Paramillo en Uspallata They offer a nice tour through all mines in the middle of the Andes
    San Rafael It's the second largest city in Mendoza, with lots of adventure activities to do.
    Malargüe There are a lot of nature in Malargue with lots of protected areas
    Laguna del Diamante It's a protected area with a beautiful lake
    Tour Vitivinícola en bicicleta Bike wine tour.  Really fun
    Tur Vitivinícola en colectivo por Chacras de Coria y Luján de Cuyo o Maipú Tour in a hop on hop off bus.  
    Tour Vitivinícola por el Valle de Uco Nice tour with a tour guide to visit wineries a little further away.
    Tour en bicicleta por el Valle de Uco Bike wine tour in Valle de Uco. 
    Cabalgatas  Full day tour
    Sandboard Very unique tour in Lavalle Desert
    Rafting  Interesting activity to do in summer
    Kayak Kayak in Rio Mendoza
    Tirolesa All these activities are done in the mountains
     

    Migration process for foreign exchange students


    It is not a request to enter Argentina with the Students Visa.  Students from most countries do not need to do the migration process in advance in the Argentinean Embassy in their country, most countries (except the ones that the Argentinean Country lists) let their citizens enter Argentina as tourists and while they are in Mendoza, they can do the migration process with our help.
    Once you have entered Argentina as a tourist, you will need to do your student visa (or temporary residency) with our help.
    We will give details of how to do this process during the orientation week.
    It is important to say that getting the student's visa is mandatory and individual.  If the students don’t do it while they are in Mendoza, they will not get their transcript of records from our university.
    The cost of the visa will vary according to the country of origin of the student, length of the exchange and the regulations of the DNM (Dirección Nacional de Migraciones de Argentina).
    Most of our students (except for exceptional cases) will enter Argentina as tourists with their Acceptance Letter issued by the UC.  In the exceptional case that the student needs to do any special steps regarding their migration process, the SCI team will help them to fulfill all the requirements.  But it is important to mention that all the migration process is individual and has to be made personally by each student.

    STUDENTS STAYING LESS THAN 6 MONTHS 

    Documents Required:
    - Valid passport for the time that the student will be in Argentina. 
    - Photocopy of the Agreement between the two universities (provided by SCI) .
    - Criminal records with The Haye Apostille and translated (not all countries need to do this, please ask SCI about it).
    - Constancia de Inscripción Migraciones (Given by SCI).
    - Certificate of international student (Biven by SCI).
    - Payment of migration documents (given by SCI)

    STUDENTS STAYING UP TO ONE YEAR

    Documents Required:
    - Valid passport for the time that the student will be in Argentina. 
    - Photocopy of the Agreement between the two universities (provided by SCI) .
    - Criminal records with The Haye Apostille and translated (not all countries need to do this, please ask SCI about it).
    - Constancia de Inscripción Migraciones (Given by SCI).
    - Certificate of international student (Biven by SCI).
    - Payment of migration documents (given by SCI)

    INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY REQUIREMENTS


    INCOMING


    All our students have to be nominated by their University.  The nominations are received by SCI at UC.
      The student will be responsible for fulfilling all the documents required and their international office will be in charge of sending them to SCI.de Cooperación Internacional toda la documentación completa.
      This is a checklist of our requirements: 
     
    1. Be a student at the origin university.
    2. Keep paying their tuition at their home university.  The students don’t have to pay tuition at UC.
    3. Fill out our ADMISSION FORM.
    4. Be accepted by Universidad de Congreso.
    5. Pay their flight ticket to and from Mendoza.
    6. Pay for the stay in Mendoa
    7. Have an international health insurance with covid 19 coverage
    8. Have a valid passport while staying in Argentina.

    DOCUMENTS NEEDED


    1. Admission Form. 
    2. Transcript of records from home university.
    3. Recommendation Letter.
    4. Photo (4 cm. X 4cm.)
    5. Passport scan.
    6. International Health Insurance Scan.
    7. Criminal Records form country of origin (when applicable).