The strapping winger could barely speak a word of English when he made the bold decision to come to the Highlanders in 2022.
He will leave these shores in a few weeks a more rounded rugby player, a man with a good understanding of his adopted language and a southern "amigo" for life.
Bogado said coming to Dunedin had been a good move for his career.
"Yeah, it’s been a nice experience. Training, coach — very nice."
The 26-year-old with three caps for the Pumas knew nothing about Highlanders country when he ventured south after spells with the Jaguares and in France and Paraguay.
He had a lot to learn — including how to procure "mate", the traditional South American herbal drink with a kick.
"In New Zealand, it is easy. In Dunedin, it is very difficult but not impossible."
The Highlanders are a melting pot of a rugby team and have a Fijian, Tongan, Samoan, Dutch and Welsh presence to go with their popular Argentine and Maori and Pakeha from both rural and city backgrounds.
Bogado grinned when asked about the exchange of English and Spanish words, and said the joker in the squad had been a big help.
"My teacher here is Folau Fakatava."
He has missed his family and those famous Argentinian barbecues.
There were now plenty of Highlanders fans in his home country.
"Yeah yeah. My friends, my family — every day there are questions for me, and they watch the games."
It might not have been on his radar when he signed a professional contract but Bogado, whose Highlanders career has been fairly limited thanks to injury and the form of other wingers, has enjoyed a taste of club rugby for Otago University.
"It was different. It was a good experience."
Argentinean rugby is on something of a high, with the Pumas having claimed major scalps — including the All Blacks in Christchurch and England at Twickenham — and the men’s sevens team crowned world champions.
Bogado is a big fan of getting the Jaguares back into Super Rugby.
He will head home to his native Posadas, in northwest Argentina, when the Highlanders’ season ends, and hopes to earn selection for the Pumas for home tests against France and Uruguay before the Rugby Championship.
Then it will be back to France, where Bogado first played in the Top 14 as an injury replacement for the Bayonne club.
He has signed a two-year deal with Oyonnax, who are struggling on their return to the top level. Former Otago players Gavin Stark and Jonathan Ruru are at the club.
