At La Poesía, a bustling, historic cafe in the heart of Buenos Aires, a group of NYU study away students embodies the phrase “city as classroom.” They’re enrolled in the popular course Food, Culture, and Globalization, led by NYU Buenos Aires professor Lisa Ubelaker.

Two students standing inside a cafe in Buenos Aires, looking up at a tall display shelf filled with books and knick-knacks.

While the class sips cappuccinos and samples the menu, they admire the books, portraits, photographs, and antiques covering the walls. Meanwhile, Dr. Ubelaker transports them back to 1982, when the cafe first opened. Then, it was a gathering place for writers, artists, and thinkers eager to express themselves after years of widespread oppression.

Students share a meal around a table, smiling and talking in a casual restaurant setting.

Throughout the semester, students take excursions like this one to local restaurants, cafes, and markets. These outings offer a lens into the city’s politics, economy, history, culture, and art. With each new dish, students deepen their immersion in and understanding of life in the vibrant Argentinian capital. “This multifaceted approach to looking at how food and culture intertwine really teaches you about the history and context of a country,” says NYU Buenos Aires student Jeremy Deacon.

In the video above, join students and Dr. Ubelaker on two Food, Culture, and Globalization excursions to discover what makes NYU Buenos Aires a truly one-of-a-kind study away destination.

Olivia Richter is a Senior Writer and Strategist for NYU’s University Relations and Public Affairs Office of Marketing Communications. She is endlessly curious about people, what inspires them, and how they use inspiration to create change—something she finds in abundance at NYU. A New Hampshire native, she encounters her own inspiration when exploring new places, spending time in nature, reading books, and connecting with close friends and family. Olivia holds a BA in Communication Studies from American University.