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Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
We offer unique courses that explore Argentine Language, History, and Culture, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
All students enrolled in Advanced Spanish Immersion are required to take at least Argentina Today, an area studies course offered only at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina (UCA). Alternate options are available for students who would like to take Spanish-taught courses.
While in Buenos Aires, you must take 15–19 credit hours per semester.
You customize your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required)
- Partner University Course at UCA, UTDT or UBA* (required)
- Argentina Today (UCA)
- Spanish-taught course
- Spanish writing clinics
- Spanish-taught IES Abroad Area Studies courses
- IES Abroad internship or service learning placement
*Students must select at least one partner university course.
Academic Symposium
Throughout the semester, you’ll work with faculty on a specific research project, and are invited to present your paper (in English or Spanish) to the entire Center community. Papers can be based on specific academic course-related projects or on students’ study abroad experiences, can be in Spanish or English, and are published at the end of the semester. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to hone your research, writing, and public presentation skills which will serve you well in your future endeavors, both academic and professional.
Courses
This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN 364 - The Making of Patagonia: An Interdisciplinary Approach | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES 330 - Argentine Environment and Society: Perceptions and Challenges | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT 344 - 20th Century Argentine Poetry: From Written Culture to Popular Song | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| LT 360 - Argentine Literature and the Formation of National Identity | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SL 395 - Service Learning Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP 351 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 401 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 451 - Spanish Language in Context: Competent Abroad | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
Partner Institution(s)
To further enhance your linguistic development, you are required to take at least one partner university course. Course offerings vary by semester and final course listings are not available until right before the start of the semester. For that reason, you will register for partner university courses on-site.
When you enroll in a course at a partner university, you will commute to class just like the local students do.
Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)
www.uba.ar
Since 1821, UBA has played an important role in the social and political life of Argentina and has become the largest university in the country. The Universidad de Buenos Aires is one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in Argentina.
You can enroll in select courses offered by the Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Courses are available in the disciplines below. Final course offerings and specific course prerequisites will be given on-site.
- Communications
- Labor Relations
- Political Science
- Sociology
Location & Commute Time
Unlike the typical university campus in the U.S., UBA does not have a main campus. The University consists of several independent academic units (Facultades) which are scattered in different neighborhoods throughout Buenos Aires. The Facultad de Ciencias Sociales is located about 20 minutes walking from the IES Abroad Center and most IES Abroad housing.
Universidad Torcuato di Tella (UTDT)
www.utdt.edu
The Universidad Torcuato di Tella is a non-profit institution founded in Buenos Aires in 1991 by the Institute and the Torcuato di Tella Foundation. It is a small private university that attracts students from throughout South America.
Because of the strong academic rigor of this university, you must have a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum of five semesters of Spanish to enroll in courses. You must also receive an appropriate placement on a Spanish language assessment, and submit additional application materials. Courses are available in the disciplines below. For a list of courses available to you as an international student at UTDT, visit their course catalog.
- Business
- Economics
- Political Science
- History
- International Relations
- Law
- Marketing
- Social Sciences
Location & Commute Time
The university buildings are located in the Belgrano neighborhood, in the Northern part of Buenos Aires. The commute time from UTDT to the IES Abroad Buenos Aires Center is normally 45 minutes.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina (UCA)
www.uca.edu.ar
Founded in 1958, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina is a leading university that is internationally recognized. UCA enrolls approximately 22,000 students, hosting about 700 international students each year from 40 countries. You will enroll in the Argentina Today course, or in at least one other University course. Additional courses are available in the disciplines below:
- Business & Economics
- Philosophy & Humanities
- Psychology
- Social, Political & Communication Sciences
Location & Commute Time
The university’s Buenos Aires campus is located in the trendy Puerto Madero neighborhood, which is the historic waterfront area along the Rio de la Plata. The commute time from UCA to the IES Abroad Buenos Aires Center is normally 20-30 minute by public transportation.
Internships
Interning abroad as part of your study abroad experience will help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity in today’s competitive market. It’s an exhilarating challenge, and we’re here to help guide you in securing your placement and succeeding in your internship.
Participating in an internship abroad helps you:
- Add international work experience to your resume
- Gain real work experience and skills
- Build your confidence
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.
Available Fields
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—new internships are always being added.
- Arts & Museums
- Business/Marketing
- Education
- Journalism/Communication
- Public Health
Service Learning
In addition to internship opportunities, IES Abroad Buenos Aires also offers a unique service learning seminar opportunity for IES Abroad credit, with homeschool approval.
The English-taught service learning seminar focuses on social, cultural, and economic factors with particular emphasis on the role that human rights plays in Argentine history and society.
You are placed according to your interests as a volunteer with one of Argentina's many active civic organizations. Additional exciting class field work visits further enrich the seminar and volunteer placement components. You fulfill a minimum of eight hours per week or a total of 112 hours throughout the semester at the Service Learning placement.
Examples of the types of Service Learning placements students have had in the past include:
- NGO specializing in Microcredit: Students worked in the communication, fundraising, and research department.
- Human Rights Organization: Students had the opportunity to translate special materials, public outreach, coverage of public events, updating databases, and other administrative tasks.
- Educational and Career building Organization: taught specialized English classes, and other IT support responsibilities.
Evaluations and Academic Credits
You complete written assignments in addition to field work visits, and volunteer placements. With homeschool approval you receive 3 credits and a grade for the seminar based on your performance at the assigned volunteer placement, participation in seminar sessions, and various assignments.
Field Trips & Events
Although your adventure begins in Buenos Aires, our field trips take you to other great destinations in Argentina and provide contrast and context for what you are learning in Buenos Aires. Most trips are covered by IES Abroad; you share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad for some trips.
Possible destinations may include:
San Antonio De Areco- Estancia La Porteña
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Spend the day immersed in folklore and tradition as you visit this beautiful estancia in the country. The Estancia is famous for one of the most well-known Argentine writers, Ricardo Güiraldes, and his internationally-acclaimed novel “Don Segundo Sombra”. The Estancia is the place where he found the inspiration to write about the “gauchos” to whom he rendered tribute by making them popular.
Luján
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit the city of Luján, with its famous cathedral where pilgrims come from all over the country. Spend the day at an estancia and enjoy outdoor recreational activities.
San Isidro
1 day | Fall & Spring
Tour San Isidro, one of Buenos Aires' most beautiful suburbs known for its wealth and tradition. Take a guided walking tour through the main town square with its Neo-Gothic cathedral and handicraft fair. Then tour the Museo Villa Ocampo, and finish the day by the Río de la Plata with its amazing views of the city.
Salta & Jujuy
4-5 Days | Fall & Spring
Experience both Salta and Jujuy Provinces, near the Bolivian border, and engage in activities like trekking in the Andean foothills and the salt flats of Salinas Grandes, or visiting the Museum of High Mountain Archaeology in the center of Salta town. While there, enjoy the unique local cuisine and culture, including the local folklore music and dance typical of this region.
Colonia del Sacramento
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Travel across the River Plate to Uruguay to visit the 300-year-old town of Colonia. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the historic quarter of Colonia reflects the old Spanish and Portuguese colonial styles, with its narrow cobblestone streets and remnants of its original fort, and dotted with quaint cafes, some overlooking the river toward Buenos Aires in the far distance.
Course-Related Trips
Course-related trips are academic trips associated with courses. They are organized to complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Argentine culture and society. Participation is based on course registration.
Past examples of short course-related trips include:
- La Casa Lo Conejos in La Plata
- Graffiti walking tour
- Museums in Buenos Aires
- Neighborhood tours
- Theaters in Buenos Aires
EXTENDED COURSE-RELATED TRIP
Students in The Making of Patagonia course traveled to Patagonia, a region in southern Argentina, which is famous for its picturesque beauty.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Buenos Aires is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. That is just one of the things we’re known for.
Orientation
The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to our Buenos Aires staff, your fellow students, and the city of Buenos Aires. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered.
Language instruction and an introduction to colloquial Spanish in Argentina are additional components of the orientation. You will also receive academic advising and will register for IES Abroad and partner university courses.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and
continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Buenos Aires, it will feel like home.
Homestays - Live in a centrally-located homestay with local residents. This is a great option if you’d like to improve your language fluency and immerse yourself in the local culture. Twelve meals are provided per week.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Buenos Aires through our cultural events and activities, such as:
- A visit to a lively, local market in the Mataderos neighborhood
- Guest lectures on history, politics, and contemporary issues
- Tours of San Telmo, Recoleta and Teatro Colón
- An exciting evening at the Madero Tango Dinner and Tango Show
Get to Know Your New City
Try local dishes, such as steak with chimichurri sauce, empanadas, and more.
Attend a tango show at one of Buenos Aires’ many venues, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of this historic dance.
Experience the thrill of cheering on Argentina's national soccer team in their home stadium.
Stroll the chic neighborhood of Palermo, and explore the Botanical Gardens there.
Walk through more than 24 exhibit halls of international art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
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