CUI (Centro Universitario de Idiomas) is a language center affiliated with UBA (University of Buenos Aires). It offers many courses in foreign languages as well as Native American languages, such as Quechua,Guaraní and Mapuche, which I find interesting. Compared to its neighbors, Argentina has a small native population. I wonder how many students are enrolled in the native language courses. I have been to Argentina twice. Actually, I went to Buenos Aires only. I didn't see many Argentinos Indigenos. The ones who looked native were either Bolivianos or Peruanos.
Most of the foreign languages taught are European languages. There are East Asian languages courses, such as Chinese and Japanese. Reciprocally CUI specifically designs a Spanish course for Chinese students who come to Argentina to learn the language. After the financial tsunami, Argentina has been increasingly looking beyond North America and Europe for trade alternatives. Recently, China has agreed to a $10B currency swap with Argentina. This deal is a follow-up deal after President Hu Jingtao signed a $20B investment agreement with then Argentine Preisdent Nestor Kirchner in 2004. It's too early to tell whether all these deals will benefit the local Argentine people or not. But the news itself is exciting to a lot of people, especially among such a downturn.
I have inquired about their Spanish course as well as other Spanish courses in other institutions for foreign students. If things work out, I will enroll myself in the August class. Hmmm...I can't wait to feast myself on those delicious Parillas Argentinas. Yummy
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