People & Culture
Uruguay is a nation of immigrants and a considerable percentage of its population comes from Italy, Spain, and other European countries. Uruguayan people tend to be politically aware and socially conscious with progressive attitudes, and often place a large value on individualism and education. They can also be opinionated – it is common for Uruguayans to show their passion or enthusiasm for a topic by interrupting others mid-conversation!
Language
Spanish is the main language of Uruguay, thanks to its colonial heritage. Uruguay shares a similar dialect to Argentina, known as Rioplatense Spanish after the Rio de la Plata Basin. This Spanish dialect is sometimes considered “Spanish with an Italian accent”! Indigenous languages like Quechua and Guaraní have also shaped the Uruguayan language.
Food
You won’t go hungry in Uruguay, with main courses like asado (traditional barbecue) and chivito (a sandwich of sliced beef, mozzarella, ham, tomatoes, mayonnaise and olives) followed by delicious treats like churros with dulce de leche! Uruguay’s food is often focused on meat, especially beef, pork, chicken and lamb, so vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians may prefer a different host country.
Culture and Hobbies
Football is a passion in Uruguay, from watching local games and national matches to playing with friends at the park or in a local club. Dancing is another national pastime, with music like tango and candombe keeping everyone dancing until the early hours! Both tango and candombe developed from African roots, and both have been recognised by the UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Let AFS guide your intercultural adventure
Go abroad with AFS to discover who you really are, make new lifetime friendships and immerse yourself in a fascinating intercultural experience.
In the months before your departure, AFSers have the opportunity to participate in various preparatory activities, including an online Student Learning Journey, which is an interactive course that brings AFSers from around the world together to learn how to develop essential global skills, intercultural communication techniques, and practice social impact. This journey will help you maximise your experience, cope with the challenges of navigating a new culture and community, and gain knowledge, skills, and a global understanding throughout your time abroad and as you return to your home country. AFS volunteers will be there to support and guide you and your host family the whole way through.
