Study Abroad in Uruguay
Explore a new culture, learn a new language & broaden your horizons by enrolling in a program to study in Uruguay with YFU. Discover our programs today.
Study in Uruguay
Uruguay offers picturesque scenery of beaches, dunes, and large lagoons. Experience the intimate beauty of Uruguay, where the people are warm and the land is welcoming. You'll enjoy getting to know the people of this small but unique country!
“My gap year to Uruguay was the greatest time of my life and it motivated me to return to study at the university level. I think that other students have the opportunity to experience what I did if they enter an exchange program with the right mindset. Attitude is everything on any type of exchange; it can be a positive adventure from day one if you have the right intention.”
- Julian
+ More About Uruguay
¡Bienvenido! Experience the enchanting beauty of this South American country where you'll meet new people, adventure to beautiful land, understand a rich culture, and learn about remarkable artistic traditions.
During your stay, you'll notice Uruguayan families live simple, orderly, and uncluttered lives. As in most Latin American countries, families in Uruguay tend to have close-knit relationships. Apart from experiencing the Uruguayan family life, you'll also have the chance to enjoy the country's delicious cuisine. Appetizers and snacks consist of pascualinas (spinach pies), media lunas mixtas (croissants with cheese and ham), and húngaros (spicy sausages).
It is also globally acknowledged that the education in Uruguay is of high quality, with excellent schools and well trained teachers. However, rest assured that in addition to school, you will have the chance to participate in a wide variety of exciting activities with your new friends such as fútbol (soccer), volleyball, basketball, and swimming. If sports aren’t your thing, you can go to interesting cultural events such as the 'Festival of the Tango Culture' and the 'Uruguay International Film Festival’. Regardless of what Uruguayan activity you choose, you're bound to be immersed and captivated by the country's unique and enthralling traditions!
+ Scholarships Available
YFU USA is proud to send over 200 American students on cultural exchange with a full or partial scholarship each year. Financial assistance may be in the form of a merit-based scholarship, needs-based financial aid, or Legacy Grant for students who are previously involved in the YFU Community. Scholarships may vary in deadline, requirements, and eligibility. To learn more, please visit our Scholarships Page to find details on the following scholarships eligible for Uruguay:
Holcomb & Farnell Foreign Study Fund
YFU Legacy Grant
YFU Financial Aid Fund
WEH Foundation Scholarship
YFU Americas Scholarship
Karla Topolka Scholarship Fund
Passport to Equity
+ Application Deadline
Applications for Spring/Winter programs must be submitted by October 15 for review. Summer and Fall departure program applications are due by April 15.
+ Additional Information
Visa Information
Information regarding residence permits, visas and other immigration processes will be provided upon enrollment. Note: Optional trips to Argentina will also require a visa.
Additional Costs
Program tuition does not include personal spending money or funds for textbooks, uniforms, extracurricular activities, or transportation to and from school.
Choose Your Program
+ Academic Year Programs
While in Uruguay, you will live with a carefully selected host family and attend a local high school. When you study in Uruguay for a year, you're sure to make lifelong friends! Part of your experience will be:
School
As a student, you will choose a track of studies such as biology, science, humanities, or liberal arts. Courses within the tracks are generally compulsory. School placement in a private school is possible, and students may be required to wear a uniform. Expectations of students are high, so it will be very important for students to take studies seriously.
Orientations
All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (Spring departures). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for a Fall program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Upon arrival, students attend a four-day orientation where they learn more about life in Uruguay and work on their language skills. To kick off the program, students also attend an intensive Spanish language course, from which they receive a certificate of completion from YFU and a final grade. Year students participate in a mid-year orientation, and all students will participate in a three-day re-entry orientation in order to reflect on their experiences and prepare for reverse culture shock.
Extracurriculars
Uruguayan schools rarely offer extracurricular activities. However, YFU students are encouraged to get involved in their communities by joining local clubs, teams, art institutes, and other activities in their towns.
Optional Excursions
Year program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost. More information about all of these optional cultural expeditions will be offered at the arrival orientation in Uruguay.
December: A 6-day YFU summer camp in La Paloma, visiting seaside nature resorts, touring a castle and lighthouse, and enjoying the spectacular beaches.
May: A 5-day trip to Colonia and Buenos Aires, with guided city tours, museum visits, and historical sightseeing. Take a ferry between the two cities and stay in a hotel.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Spring Year | Late January | Mid January | $15,595 |
| 2025 Fall Year | Early August | Early July | $15,595 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Spanish course
- Enrollment in a local Uruguayan high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Uruguay Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2025 Fall Departure: Students born March 31, 2007 - July 30, 2010.
- 2025 Spring Departure: Students born December 30, 2006 - December 31, 2009.
- Students who do not meet the age requirements or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
Spanish. Previous language study is not required. All students will attend an intensive 2 week language course after arrival in Montevideo. With 80 hours of language training, this is especially helpful for students with no prior knowledge of Spanish. All students will take a Spanish as a Second Language course, consisting of up to 40 hours of lessons throughout the exchange experience, included in the program tuition. Students will be placed in an appropriate level based on a language test prior to arrival. At the end of the program, students can take a final exam in Spanish designed by a certified language academy.
Host Family Placement
Exchange students may be placed throughout Uruguay in small cities, medium-sized cities, and the countryside, with occasional placements in metropolitan areas. Family life is very important in Uruguay!
+ Semester Programs
While in Uruguay, you will live with a carefully selected host family and attend a local high school. When you study in Uruguay for a semester, you're sure to make lifelong friends! Part of your experience will be:
School
As a student, you will choose a track of studies such as biology, science, humanities, or liberal arts. Courses within the tracks are generally compulsory. School placement in a private school is possible, and students may be required to wear a uniform. Expectations of students are high, so it will be very important for students to take studies seriously.
Orientations
All students applying for the semester program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (Spring departure). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas. All students applying for a Fall program will participate in a one-day local pre-departure orientation in May or June.
*Due to COVID-19, the 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation described above may take place on-line dependent upon recommended guidelines at the time of the event. YFU will continue to assess the situation as it develops.
Upon arrival, students attend a four-day orientation where they learn more about life in Uruguay and work on their language skills. To kick off the program, students also attend an intensive Spanish language course, from which they receive a certificate of completion from YFU and a final grade. Students will also participate in a three-day re-entry orientation in order to reflect on their experiences and prepare for reverse culture shock.
Extracurriculars
Uruguayan schools rarely offer extracurricular activities. However, YFU students are encouraged to get involved in their communities by joining local clubs, teams, art institutes, and other activities in their towns.
Optional Excursions
Fall Semester program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost. More information about all of these optional cultural expeditions will be offered at the arrival orientation in Uruguay.
December: A 6-day YFU summer camp in La Paloma, visiting seaside nature resorts, touring a castle and lighthouse, and enjoying the spectacular beaches.
Spring Semester program students will also usually have the option of participating in a number of educational trips and excursions during their stay, at an additional cost. More information about all of these optional cultural expeditions will be offered at the arrival orientation in Uruguay.
May: A 5-day trip to Colonia and Buenos Aires, with guided city tours, museum visits, and historical sightseeing. Take a ferry between the two cities and stay in a hotel.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Spring Semester | Late January | Early July | $14,595 |
| 2025 Fall Semester | Early August | Late January | $14,595 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- Spanish course
- Enrollment in a local Uruguayan high school
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Uruguay Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Age Requirement
- 2025 Fall Departure: Students born March 31, 2007 - July 30, 2010.
- 2025 Spring Departure: Students born December 30, 2006 - December 31, 2009.
- Students who do not meet the age requirements or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
Spanish. Previous language study is not required. All students will attend an intensive 2 week language course after arrival in Montevideo. With 80 hours of language training, this is especially helpful for students with no prior knowledge of Spanish. All students will take a Spanish as a Second Language course, consisting of up to 40 hours of lessons throughout the exchange experience, included in the program tuition. Students will be placed in an appropriate level based on a language test prior to arrival. At the end of the program, students can take a final exam in Spanish designed by a certified language academy.
Host Family Placement
Exchange students may be placed throughout Uruguay in small cities, medium-sized cities, and the countryside, with occasional placements in metropolitan areas. Family life is very important in Uruguay!
+ Summer Program
Discover Uruguay
On this summer program (which is actually winter in Uruguay), students live with a local volunteer host family in metropolitan Montevideo and immerse themselves in Uruguay's unique culture. After a 2 day arrival orientation, students are enrolled in a Spanish language course according to their level at Academia Uruguay for 5 weeks. During the final week, students will get a chance to put their Spanish to the test by visiting a local high school in Montevideo. YFU Uruguay also organizes optional cultural activities that have included visiting a traditional ranch, attending carnivals and football matches, and experiencing all that Uruguayan culture has to offer!
Age Requirement
- 2024 Summer Departure: Students born March 31, 2006 - July 30, 2009.
- Students who do not meet the age requirements or will graduate from high school before the start of their program will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
Language
Spanish. Previous language study is not required. Summer Program students will attend a 5 week Spanish as a second language course with 100 hours of class and have the option to receive a certificate. Year and Semester Program students will take an 80 hour intensive Spanish course for 2 weeks after their arrival in Montevideo as well as up to 40 hours of lessons during their program. All students are placed with host families who speak Spanish, though families in the north may also speak Portuñol.
| PROGRAM | DEPARTURE | RETURN | FULL TUITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Summer | Late June | Early August | $7,995 |
Tuition Includes
- Placement with a host family
- 5-weeks of Spanish language courses
- Cultural trips and tours
- Airport transfers
- Domestic and international travel
- All pre-departure and post arrival orientations
- Pre-program support by trained YFU staff
- Support from a YFU Uruguay Area Representative while on program
- Comprehensive insurance
Host Family Placement
Summer Program students will be placed with families in the greater Montevideo area.