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**I. BACKGROUND**

Argentina is located in the Southern Cone of South America. The country
has a triangular shape that occupies the larger portion of the South
American Continent. The Argentine Territory is very diversified, having
mountains, plains and plateaus. The principal rivers in the country are:
The Parana River, Rio de la Plata, the Uruguay River and the Paraguay
River. The Parana-Paraguay is navigable for 3,200 kilometers, which
makes it an excellent waterway for importing and exporting goods.

**Area**: 3,761,279 km2

**Population** (2007 estimates): 37,000,000

**Language:** Spanish

**Currency:** Argentine Peso

**Principal cities** are **Buenos Aires** (with 1/3 of the country's
population in the city and surrounding areas); **Rosario** with the Port
Area; **Cordoba** with an important number of factories, **La Plata**,
Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires; **Mar del Plata**, principal
center for summer tourism with its many beaches; **San Miguel de
Tucuman**, with a diversified industrial center; **Salta**, famous for
its colonial architecture; and **Mendoza**, important for its fruit,
wine and petroleum industry.

The principal economic products in Argentina are: Agriculture & Cattle
(6% of population); Mining (29% of population); and Industry (65% of
population). The principal exports are meat and its by-products, grains
and petroleum and its by-products.

**II. Structure of the Argentine Educational System**

**Elementary and High School System**

Description of the Argentine National Education System, according to the
Federal Law of Education passed April 14, 1993.

+-----------+----------------------------+-------------+--------------+
| *         | **Levels**                 | **Ages**    |              |
| *Grades** |                            |             |              |
+-----------+----------------------------+-------------+--------------+
|           | Kindergarten               | 2-5         | Optional     |
+-----------+----------------------------+-------------+--------------+
|           | Pre-School                 | 5-6         | Obligatory   |
+-----------+----------------------------+-------------+--------------+
| 1-3       | General Basic Education    | 6-8         | Obligatory   |
|           |                            |             |              |
|           | Cycle 1                    |             |              |
+-----------+----------------------------+-------------+--------------+
| 4-6       | General Basic Education    | 9-11        | Obligatory   |
|           | Cycle 2                    |             |              |
+-----------+----------------------------+-------------+--------------+
| 7-9       | General Basic Education    | 12-14       | Obligatory   |
|           | Cycle 3                    |             |              |
+-----------+----------------------------+-------------+--------------+
| 1-3       | Polymodal (equivalent to   | 15-18       | Optional     |
|           | High School)               |             |              |
+-----------+----------------------------+-------------+--------------+

**[A Brief Description of Higher Education in Argentina]{.underline}**

The Higher Education System of Argentina consists of more than 1700
institutions of tertiary education and 91 universities. All together
there are more than 1.3 million students registered in these
institutions.

Education within the state education system is free. Private
universities have a monthly fee. If a private university receives a
subsidiary from the State, the monthly fee is reduced.

A university degree is conferred after five or six years of full time
study and implies a professional as well as an academic formation in the
specialized area of study.

Furthermore, universities may grant a minor degree after completion of
the first part of a longer study program (usually after three years)
that would enable employment in the specific field of study.

The majority of universities are divided into "colleges". The students
register in these colleges to study specific areas called careers. In
general, the academic year includes two four quarter periods. A full
time student would take three to four subjects called "materias" per
quarter. Each subject consists of 4 to 6 hours of class per week.

University Programs have study programs between 4 to 6 years of study
minimum and lead to a degree of "Licenciatura" or a professional degree
such as doctor, lawyer or engineer. (See information below).

The academic calendar is from March to December, with a short break in
the month of July. Spanish is the official language in Argentina and all
courses are delivered in Spanish. Universities and tertiary institutions
have an open admissions policy. Research has shown that 63% of the
students graduating from high school choose to attend a university.
Between the option public-private, 86% choose public universities and
14% choose a private university

**Diplomas and Degrees Granted**

-   Bachiller (polymodal): granted after completion of high school

-   Docente (Elementary Teacher): granted after 2 ½ years of post high
    school studies.

-   Profesorado in (High school professor): degree granted after
    completing 3 to 3 ½ years of post secondary (non university) studies
    or 3 to 4 ½ years of university studies (in general this degree
    includes an area of specialization).

-   Licenciate: first degree from the university, generally after five
    years of full time study and a final Project. There has been a
    tendency for universities to modify the period of study from five to
    four years in the last few years.

-   Professional Degrees: granted after completion of 5 to 6 years of
    study as a full time student: Ingeniero/ a (engineer); Arquitecto/ a
    (architect); Abogado/ a (lawyer); Médico/ a (doctor).

-   Postgrados: can be specialized area studies, certificate programs,
    masters programs called "maestrias" and Ph D programs called
    "doctorados". The length of study will depend on the individual
    program. These programs should not be confused with U.S. degrees of
    master and or PhDs.

Grading System

  ------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
  **Grade**     **Description**

  10            Sobresaliente (Outstanding)

  8-9           Distinguido (Distinguished)

  6-7           Bueno (Good)

  4-5           Aprobado (Pass)

  2-3           Insuficiente (Insufficient)

  0-1           Reprobado (Failure)
  ------------- ---------------------------------------------------------

Recognition of Degrees

The official recognition of all academic and university degrees is
granted by the Argentine Ministry of Education.

Information is based on that contained in the website of the Argentine
Ministry of Education.

For more information and a list of educational institutions visit the
following website:

[www.me.gov.ar/spu/guia_tematica/guia_tematica.html](http://www.me.gov.ar/spu/guia_tematica/guia_tematica.html)\
[www.educ.ar/educar/superior/guia_de_estudios/](http://www.educ.ar/educar/superior/guia_de_estudios/)

# III. EducationUSA Advising Centers in Argentina

EducationUSA advising centers in Argentina are located in the Fulbright
Commission and in Binational/bicultural centers located in major cities
in Argentina. At the present time, information and assistance regarding
the process for selecting appropriate institutions to which to apply as
well as the admissions process for both the undergraduate and graduate
levels is provided. The centers also provide students with information
about and assistance with standardized testing, translation of academic
transcripts and application for financial aid for all levels of study.
The EducationUSA centers maintain a specialized library with up to date
resources to assist students to make an informed decision.

In Argentina, services to the public are available through EducationUSA
Centers located in the cities of Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Mendoza, and
Rosario. The Education USA Centers are affiliated with the U.S. State
Department's worldwide EducationUSA network. Contact information for the
EducationUSA centers in Argentina can be found at
[http://educationusa.state.gov](http://educationusa.state.gov/)

**Statistics**

**Number of Argentine Students in U.S.:**

  ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------
  **2005/6**                      **2004/5**                   **%
                                                               Change**

  Total: 3,032                    Total: 3,363                 -9.8
  ------------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------

2005/2006 Argentine Students:

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  35.7% Undergraduate     54.9% Graduate          9.4% Other

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **[Top Receiving                    **[Top Receiving
  States]{.underline}**               Universities]{.underline}**

  New York                            Harvard University

  California                          Columbia University

  Massachusetts                       Purdue University, Main Campus

  Virginia                            New York University

  Illinois                            University of Texas, Austin

  Texas                               University of Illinois,
                                      Urbana-Champaign

  Pennsylvania                        University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  New Jersey                          Boston University

  Maryland                            Texas A&M

  Florida                             University of California, Davis
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**ARGENTINE EDUCATIONAL ADVISING OFFICES -- Statistics FY 2006**

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Center**                          **Total Contacts**

  Fulbright Commision Buenos Aires    13,844

  ICANA, Buenos Aire                  6,937

  IICANA, Cordoba                     446

  AMICANA, Mendoza                    254

  ARICANA, Rosario                    371

  **Country Total**                   **21,852**
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

ARGENTINE EDUCATIONUSA ADVISING OFFICE CONTACTS

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Educational Adviser**             **E-mail**

  Fulbright Commision -- Melina       <mginsz@fulbright.com.ar>
  Ginszparg                           

  ICANA -- Shanna Palmer              <spalmer@icana.org.ar>

  IICANA -- Raquel Savore             <iicanaeduusa@fibertel.com.ar>

  AMICANA -- Maria Iglesias           <aeducational@amicana.com.ar>

  ARICANA -- Ruby Lee Cochran-Simms   <advising@aricanabnc.com.ar>
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Top 5 Field of Study Inquiries: Engineering, Communications, Graduate
Medical Education, Music, Visual Arts, and Business Administration

EducationUSA centers appreciate receiving copies of CD-ROM and
catalogues for the advising library. These can be mailed to the
addresses listed for this purpose at
[Http://educationusa.state.gov](http://educationusa.state.gov/)

We welcome visits from U.S. colleges and universities, recruiting or
otherwise, and can assemble an audience for your presentations. Come
visit and let us treat you to "Southern" hospitality.