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Moving to Buenos Aires with Teenagers - What type of social activities are there?

Piranha

Well-known member
For those of you who have relocated with teenagers, what kinds of social activities are available for them to connect with other American kids while they’re learning Spanish? I’m genuinely concerned about the potential culture shock, loneliness, or even depression my 17-year-old son might experience during the first few months—or even years—after the move. We’re thinking of making the move next summer, and I’d really appreciate any insights or advice.

Thank you!
 
Best thing for your 17 yr old is to learn as much Spanish as possible.

Learning these next 3 things will help all of you tremendously:
1. Subway network
2. Bus lines and routes
3. The 20 most popular attractions in BA.

At 17, he's old enough to find and develop his own social network of friends. Trust him to choose healthy relationships. His accent alone will be a 'new friend magnet'.

Why move to BA to be surrounded by other gringos?
 
I moved here in September, and I’ll be honest—it hasn’t been easy. The culture is very social, which is quite different from what we were used to in the U.S. We settled in a small town about two hours from CABA, which has made things even more challenging.

Making friends has been especially hard for my daughter, who just turned 18. One thing I highly recommend is signing your son up for Spanish classes with others around his age—it can be a great way to ease the transition and start building connections.

For us, the biggest hurdle was the culture shock. As a result, my daughter has decided to return to the U.S. for university next year. It just hasn’t been an easy adjustment for her. What has helped is getting out together as a family—there’s so much to explore here, and that shared time makes a difference.

Also, try to find communities that align with your son’s interests. My daughter is really into gaming and anime, so she enjoys visiting Barrio Chino for the snacks and overall vibe—it gives her a little sense of comfort and familiarity.

As a mom, my biggest piece of advice is this: be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up if your son struggles—it doesn’t mean you made the wrong decision. These experiences, even the tough ones, will shape him and help him grow in the long run.

Wishing you all the best on your upcoming adventure!
 
A bilingual school will be a very good approach. In BA there are several bilingual schools. He will make friends there and will socialize with them and others.
 
My adviceis to give it time and don’t stress if it doesn’t click right away. Teenagers feel things deeply, but they’re also incredibly adaptable. Encourage him to take a class or join an activity he already enjoys. It’s the fastest way to find common ground.
 
There’s a decent expat community here, not huge, but definitely present. You might want to look into international schools or Facebook groups like “BA Expat Hub” or “Americans in Buenos Aires.” Sometimes people organize teen meetups or casual BBQs with families.
 
At first, the language barrier might be frustrating, but teens learn fast when they’re immersed. Encourage him to try a group sport or music class, anything with repetition helps him bond without needing fluent Spanish right away.
 
Totally understand your concerns, moving a teenager is a huge emotional leap, not just a logistical one. We made the move with our teenage daughter a few years ago, and I’ll be honest, the first couple of months were rough. She went from being super social in the U.S. to feeling isolated here. That said, things did get better with time and some structure.

Here are a few things that really helped:
  • Joining a local sports club or gym — Many have teen-friendly classes (crossfit, fútbol, volleyball) and some coaches even speak English.
  • Art or music workshops — Places like Centro Cultural Recoleta or Usina del Arte run short programs, and kids from all over the city go.
  • Volunteering — She joined a group that helps with animal rescue. No perfect Spanish needed — just love for pets.
  • Language exchange groups for teens — A few Facebook and WhatsApp groups have popped up with bilingual meetups. Kind of a “tandem exchange” thing but way more chill.
  • International school events — Even if you’re not attending one, there are some public events where expat teens hang out.
Also… be prepared for mate, slang, and a lot of late-night plans 😂 But on the upside, Argentine teens are usually very warm once they open up. Hang in there, the first few months are the hardest. He’ll likely come out of this way more independent and confident than you’d imagine.
 
One cool option year-round is volunteering, there are youth-focused orgs here where teens can help out while practicing Spanish in a low-pressure environment. A friend’s daughter volunteered at a pet shelter and made friends that way.

Here are some that accept foreigners:




 
One great way for teens to socialize while picking up Spanish (or sharing English!) is through creative workshops, things like ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, etc. Buenos Aires has tons of these, and many are bilingual or open to English speakers, especially in areas like Palermo, Recoleta, and San Telmo.

What’s great is that locals of all ages sign up for these classes, not just tourists or expats. So it’s a really natural way for teens to interact with Argentine kids and practice Spanish without pressure. At the same time, a lot of porteños are eager to practice their English, so it often turns into a casual language exchange.
A few places to look into:
  • Club Cultural Matienzo
  • Usina del Arte (they sometimes offer teen-friendly activities)
  • Centro Cultural Recoleta
  • Or even checking Instagram for accounts like talleres.baires, they often post cool short-term workshops.

It’s also a nice way to break the ice if your teen isn’t super into sports or large social events. Art is a great connector!
 
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