Mendoza is the capital of the Argentinian province of the same name with around 130,000 inhabitants and is located in the centre-west of Argentina. Although the area around Mendoza is barren and has a poor landscape, Mendoza itself is an agricultural centre of the region, which is very famous for its viticulture. Incidentally, the landscape in which Mendoza is located is known as Cuyo (in German: steppe-like area with oases). El Plumerillo Airport in the northern suburb of Las Heras is the most important airport in western Argentina. The most famous event in the city is the grape harvest festival, which has been held every year for three months in summer and early autumn since 1936.

Founded in 1939, the Universidad de Cuyo has Schools of Art and Design, Economics, Medical Sciences with Medicine and Dentistry, Social and Political Sciences, Law, Philosophy and Literature, Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Education, Applied Industrial Sciences and Natural Sciences. It currently has around 32,000 students, 4,200 lecturers and 2,500 employees (as of 2018). Exchange students are strongly advised not to attend more than 5 courses per semester, as the course requirements on the one hand and the language transition on the other can often cause problems.

Accommodation can be chosen as part of the enrolment process at Uncuyo. Students are welcome to live with local families in order to facilitate private cultural encounters and improve their language skills. Alternatively, local providers offer low-cost accommodation (e.g. Roomgo) for around EUR 130 per month.