An ISA student cooks in his Argentine host family's home.

The ISA Argentina Office, some of the host families, as well as the Belgrano University are located in the neighborhood of the same name. Belgrano is a residential and distinguished neighborhood, named after Manuel Belgrano, one of the most important protagonists of Argentine history. Its silent streets, with their many trees, have shops, restaurants, and large green spaces. The “Barrancas de Belgrano” (slopes) are one of the most outstanding spots in the neighborhood. Together with some other important spaces in the city, they were designed by the famous landscape artist Carlos Thays, who also created the Botanical Garden.

From its very beginning, this zone was used for residences and institutions and its inhabitants belonged to a social group related to leading and intellectual classes of Buenos Aires, so among its buildings, one may distinguish important houses, embassies and boutique hotels. Its high towers with gardens, however, date from the recent eighties. Cabildo Avenue crosses it and has innumerable bus lines, as well as the recently inaugurated subway that takes the passenger to the city centre, across Palermo, Barrio Norte and university neighborhoods to reach Florida Street. In Belgrano, one may find many shops, selling items from designer clothes to furniture, as well as restaurants, bars, theatres, museums and various cinemas. On weekends, there is a crafts street market near the Cathedral with musical shows, juggling and plays.

The University of El Salvador, as well as the residencia (student housing) is located in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires. Palermo is also known as a very residential area with numerous shopping malls, cafés, restaurants, and parks. This area is especially popular with young people because of its trendy atmosphere.