IES Abroad Day Trip: San Isidro

Just over a month ago, IES Abroad took us on a day trip to San Isidro, a neighborhood that is in Greater Buenos Aires and lies just north of the central Buenos Aires capital city. The neighborhood has historically been the most affluent in Buenos Aires, and remains so today. On our trip, we visited historical sights and discussed the importance of the neighborhood to Buenos Aires and Argentine culture. This field trip is one of my fondest memories in Argentina because not only was I discovering a new, colorful, and historical place, but I was doing so while growing closer to my cohort.

The first stop on our trip was Villa Ocampo. A mansion once owned by the Ocampo family, it is famous for being home to Argentine writer Victoria Ocampo, a woman who shaped Argentine writing and had many famous guests visit her. There, we got a tour of the villa and its grounds and were also served brunch! We later went to Plaza Mitre, a plaza named after one of Argentina’s first presidents. There, we discussed Argentina’s reliance on the river which can be seen from the plaza, the Argentine economy, and more. We also got to visit a beautiful crafts market and walk around the flower beds. In addition, we got to explore San Isidro Cathedral, a stunning church that is at the head of the plaza. Famous because of its age and beauty, it was lots of fun to learn about. We were also lucky enough to see the set-up of a wedding before it began! At the foot of the plaza, we got to see the former official border of Buenos Aires. Later, we strolled around the city, admiring San Isidro’s beautiful and colorful buildings until we got to Quinta Los Ombúes, a quaint museum that was once an estate in the colonial style. There, we had a picnic before wrapping up for the day. 

Throughout our time exploring San Isidro, I made many memories and had the opportunity to talk to people in my cohort that I don’t see so often. Field trips like these are one of my favorite parts of IES Abroad as it makes being a student with them so exciting. I was not expecting to enjoy San Isidro half as much as I did, nor do I think I would have visited on my own. Now, however, it is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the area.