| When people think of traveling to or studying in a large | | | | back to 1685, and the Jesus Society, the oldest church |
| South American city, they often think of Santiago, | | | | in the country and the famous and prestigious National |
| Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro first. Many overlook | | | | University of Cordoba, which attracts thousands of |
| the countless treasures to be found in other South | | | | students from other parts of the country and the rest |
| American cities. Cordoba, Argentina is one that is often | | | | of South America. |
| overlooked, but one can find infinite attractions in this | | | | Because Cordoba attracts so many students to its |
| city at a fraction of the cost of its popular huge city | | | | university, it is not surprising that there are also schools |
| competitors. There are so many reasons why | | | | for foreigners who wish to study Spanish. Europeans, |
| Cordoba, Argentina is the best city in South America | | | | particularly Germans, make up the present majority of |
| that you never knew about. | | | | foreigners studying Spanish. Gus Christensen, an |
| Marlo Goldstein, a seasoned veteran in travel | | | | American student who studied for four weeks through |
| throughout Latin America, says: I hesitate to say it | | | | AmeriSpan's program in Cordoba had the following |
| because I'm still so new here, but here goes: I think I | | | | comments for anyone interested in learning Spanish in |
| could fall in love with this place. There I said it. My goal | | | | Latin America: It is a very comfortable city. It's so easy |
| now is to do everything possible to get to know it as | | | | to feel at home and the people are so friendly. It is |
| well as possible in a short amount of time. I like that no | | | | easy to find culture, good food, and good nightlife. But, |
| one knows I am a foreigner until I speak. The people | | | | you're reminded that you're still in Latin America |
| here dress and look very European/American. I feel | | | | because of the bus system that doesn't always work |
| very inconspicuous and very safe. I like the changing | | | | too well. I was also able to go horseback riding and |
| seasons (which I haven't ever experienced in a Latin | | | | enjoy the countryside about a half hour outside of the |
| American country. Central America just has wet and | | | | city. |
| dry). I also like that outside the city is country and | | | | The most rewarding asset of it all is the province's |
| country people, it looks more like the Latin America | | | | warm and willing people. The infrastructure is adequate |
| that I know and love. | | | | though never luxurious, the roads are often winding but |
| Cordoba is the second most important city in | | | | never hair-raising, and the sights are singular while |
| Argentina and it is called the Heartland of Argentina. It | | | | serene. The seasons are opposite of North America, |
| is located at the intersection of the routes that went | | | | which makes Argentina a great winter getaway. |
| from Chile and the Alto Peru (Bolivia) to the port of | | | | Cordoba's tourist circuits spread out from the capital |
| Buenos Aires; it was the most important city during the | | | | city like the spokes of a wheel, and many can be |
| colonial period. Some 300 years later, Cordoba has | | | | covered comfortably in a day. |
| retained its rich colonial heritage, as shown by its | | | | Activities available in and around Cordoba: |
| culture and architecture. The Rio Primero, forms | | | | Horseback riding & polo classes |
| Cordoba's main natural landmark. The Physical center | | | | Dance classes: Tango and Argentine folk music |
| is the Plaza San Martin, named after Argentina's great | | | | Spanish language classes (AmeriSpan 1-800-879-6640 |
| liberator and the site of the city's cathedral. South of | | | | or |
| the Plaza is Calle Obispo Trejo, an easily walkable | | | | Water sports at nearby lakes |
| avenue filled with some of the city's most illustrious | | | | Soccer games at the modern Chateau Carreras |
| colonial buildings. | | | | Stadium with the best Argentine teams |
| You will undoubtedly discover the contrast that exists | | | | National Parks with archeological relevance: |
| between the technology of the 21st century and the | | | | Talampaya, Valle de la Luna, Cerro Colorado |
| history of the colonial period. Beautiful parks, historical | | | | Trekking, climbing and biking in the magnificent Cordoba |
| places, museums and different attractions can be | | | | mountain range Sierras de Cordoba (only about |
| admired such as the colonial architecture of the | | | | ½ hour away) |
| Cathedral; the Cabildo that dates back to the 17th | | | | Excursions to Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, and |
| century; the Obispo Mercadillo House built at the | | | | Patagonia |
| beginning of the 18th century the Religious Art Museum, | | | | Active Nightlife in many Pubs, Discos and bohemian |
| the Monserrat School, the oldest school that dates | | | | bars with folk and Tango music. |