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Buenos Aires - Advanced Spanish Immersion
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
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.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You take 15–19 credits per semester.
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 credits)
- Spanish-taught Programa de Estudios Latinoamericanos (PEL) course at Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) (required, credits vary)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each)
- Spanish-taught courses at local universities (optional, credits vary)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA)
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)
- Universidad Torcuato di Tella (UTDT)
- Internship placement conducted in Spanish and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
- Community-based learning placement conducted in Spanish and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
Academic Symposium
Throughout the semester, you may choose to work with faculty on a specific research project, and are invited to present your paper to the entire IES Abroad Buenos Aires community. Papers can be based on specific academic course-related projects or on students’ study abroad experiences 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.
Courses
These courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CB 395 - Community-Based Learning Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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)
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.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina (UCA)
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 a Programa de Estudios Latinoamericanos (PEL) course for 3 credits, or in at least one other university course. The most popular PEL course is Argentina in the World. Additional courses are available in the disciplines below:
- Business & Economics
- Philosophy & Humanities
- Psychology
- Social, Political & Communication Sciences
Location & Commute Time
The Buenos Aires campus is located in the trendy Puerto Madero neighborhood, which is the historic waterfront area along the Río de la Plata. The commute time from UCA to the IES Abroad Buenos Aires Center is normally 20-30 minutes by public transportation.
Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)
The Universidad de Buenos Aires is one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in Argentina. IES Abroad has a partnership with the UBA School of Social Sciences. The most popular courses are Historia Social Argentina Latinoamericano, and Migraciones y Derechos Humanos. Additional courses are available in the disciplines below:
- Communications
- Labor Relations
- Political Science
- Sociology
Location & Commute Time
Unlike the typical university campus in the US, 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 Buenos Aires Center and most IES Abroad housing.
Universidad Torcuato di Tella (UTDT)
The Universidad Torcuato Di Tella is a small, private university that attracts students from throughout South America. Because of the strong academic rigor of the university, you must be in good academic standing and have a minimum of five semesters of college-level Spanish to enroll in courses. You must also perform well on the Spanish Language Placement Assessment and submit additional application materials.
For a list of courses available to you as an international student at UTDT, visit their course catalog. Courses are available in the disciplines below:
- Architecture
- Business
- Economics
- Government/Political Science
- History
- International Relations
- Law
- Marketing
- Social Sciences
You can also take Spanish-taught courses organized by the International Programs Department. Unlike the other UTDT degree courses, these ones have the final exams during the last week of classes of the semester. The most popular course is Contemporary Argentine Literature, Culture, Memory and Identity through Contemporary Argentine Audiovisual Expressions.
Location & Commute Time
The university buildings are located in the Nuñez neighborhood, in the northern part of Buenos Aires. The commute time from UTDT to the IES Abroad Buenos Aires Center is normally 45 minutes.
Community-Based Learning
Participating in a community-based learning experience in Buenos Aires is an opportunity to give back to the community while gaining a much deeper understanding of the city’s culture and society. Working alongside local people toward a common goal, you experience firsthand some of the social issues that affect Buenos Aires, while contributing your skills toward a community-driven solution.
A community-based learning experience consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by an academic, for-credit community-based learning seminar. Through the seminar you have structured time for reflection and discussion, and even research, on the issues of your host community.
Possible placements may include organizations focusing on advocacy for the disabled, community health, at-risk youth, homelessness, and other social issues present in Buenos Aires.
Internships
Did you know that while in Buenos Aires, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
- Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support.
- Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process.
- Experience what working in Buenos Aires is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness.
- Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers.
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country.
Personalized Job Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal placement that satisfies your interests and goals. We’ve placed students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently offer placements in your field of interest, we will look for one that’s right for you.
Placement Examples
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—we are always looking for new internship opportunities for our students.
- Arts & Museums
- Business & Marketing
- Education
- Journalism & Communication
- Public Health
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Buenos Aires, our field trips take you outside the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country and beyond. IES Abroad also organizes more than 30 cultural events and trips each term. Some of these trips may require an additional cost.
Jujuy
4 days | Fall & Spring
Experience Jujuy Province, near the Bolivian border, and engage in activities like trekking in the Andean foothills and the salt flats of Salinas Grandes. While there, enjoy the unique local cuisine and culture, including folklore, music, and dance.
Colonia
1 day | Fall & Spring
Travel across the Río de la Plata 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. Its narrow cobblestone streets and remnants of its original fort are dotted with quaint cafés, some overlooking the river toward Buenos Aires in the far distance.
Luján & Local Estancia
1 day | Fall & Spring
Visit the city of Luján, with its famous cathedral that attracts pilgrims from all over the country. Enjoy the open fields of the greater Buenos Aires province, then spend the afternoon at an estancia (cattle ranch).
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. Take a tour of the Villa Ocampo Museum, the house of the writer Victoria Ocampo, and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
Course-related trips are academic excursions associated with courses. They are organized to complement IES Abroad classes and contribute to a general knowledge of Argentine culture and society. Participation is based on course registration.
Past examples of course-related trips include:
- Urban graffiti walking tour
- Key museums in Buenos Aires
- Historic neighborhood tours
- Theaters in Buenos Aires, including the Colón Opera House
- A visit to Palacio Paz
Extended Course-Related Trip: Patagonia
4 days | Fall & Spring
Students in The Making of Patagonia course travel to the city of Bariloche in Patagonia, a region in southern Argentina, that is famous for its picturesque beauty in the form of deserts, steppes, and grasslands. During this multi-day, course-related trip, which is available at an additional cost, students study indigenous communities and cultures of the region.
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.
Orientation
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues once you arrive abroad and introduces you to the IES Abroad Buenos Aires staff, your fellow students, and the city of Buenos Aires. During the first week of the program, you will begin your language learning experience and participate in activities to meet and bond with others at the same language level.
Orientation continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
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 with a family or señora in a private homestay. These residences are centrally located throughout Buenos Aires. Living in a homestay is a great way to improve your language fluency and immerse yourself in the local culture. Twelve meals are provided per week, and each student will have their own room. *Students on this program get priority in homestays.
Apartments – Live with another IES Abroad student in a centrally located, furnished apartment within easy distance of your IES Abroad Buenos Center. No meals are included but basic kitchen facilities are available. WiFi is also available.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Take advantage of the cultural events we organize in Buenos Aires, such as:
- City & Walking Tours
- Asado (BBQ) on the IES Abroad Buenos Aires Terrace
- Rugby & Polo Matches
- Tango Show
- Tango Class
- Cooking Class
Volunteer Abroad
When you volunteer in Buenos Aires, you have the chance to make a difference in the local community while meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. If you are passionate about volunteering abroad, just let the on-site staff know at the beginning of your term. Past opportunities in Buenos Aires include volunteering at an NGO whose mission is to fight poverty by helping improve living conditions and providing homes for underprivileged people. You can participate once or throughout your semester.
Get to Know Your New City
Feast at a Traditional Argentine Asado
Try local dishes, such as steak with chimichurri sauce, empanadas, and more.
Get Your Tango On
Attend a tango show at one of Buenos Aires’ many venues, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of this historic dance.
¡Vamos Argentina!
Experience the thrill of cheering on Argentina's national soccer team in their home stadium.
Explore the Local Neighborhoods
Stroll the chic neighborhood of Palermo, and explore the Botanical Gardens there.
Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts
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.
Scholarships & Aid
Featured Scholarships
John Gearen Need-Based Dublin or Developing Regions Scholarship
John Gearen, a member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for many years and past chair of the Board for six years, is a leading real estate attorney and Rhodes Scholar who is involved in numerous philanthropic causes. Mr. Gearen has generously established this scholarship to support students who have an interest in studying on an IES Abroad Center in a developing region of the world (Argentina, Chile, China, Ecuador, Ireland, Morocco, or South Africa).
Dr. William Louis Gaines Need-Based History or International Relations Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. William Louis Gaines, President of IES Abroad from 1974-1992. Dr. Gaines was dedicated to strengthening IES Abroad's academic framework, broadening the scope of IES Abroad locations, and securing the financial foundation of the organization.
Open to students majoring in History or International Relations.
Adelyn Dougherty Leander Need-Based Urban Issues Scholarship
Open to students who have an interest in urban studies (a major in urban studies is not required).
William E. & Mary M. Dwyer Need-Based Spanish Scholarship
These scholarships are intended for students interested in studying in a Spanish-speaking country.
Kathleen Kervin Diamond Endowed Scholarship
Kathleen Diamond is a consultant, entrepreneur, and business leader in the language services industry. In 1979, she founded Language Learning Enterprises, Inc. (LLE®), a full-service language company based in Washington, D.C. She is recognized as an early pioneer in Telephone Interpreting, launching LLE-LINK in the early 1990s. Over the next 20 years, under her leadership, the company grew into a dynamic, multimillion dollar corporation, serving a wide range of clients, in both the private and public sectors, across the United States, and worldwide. In 2009, Ms.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Center is located in downtown Buenos Aires within walking distance of Plaza San Martin and Recoleta Cemetary, two iconic Buenos Aires landmarks in neighborhoods known for the history and architecture.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
- Connect with friends in the student lounge
- Study in the library or group study room
- Meet with staff in their offices
- Enjoy the kitchenette
Other features include: high-speed internet and printer access.
Our Staff
Ariel Yablon
Center Director
Ariel Yablon has more than 20 years of experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students at local, regional, and international institutions. He has served as Academic Dean of the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLASCO) Buenos Aires, as Center Director at CEA Buenos Aires, and as Academic Dean and Associate Director of the IES Abroad Buenos Aires Center from 2008 to 2012. Ariel earned his PhD. in Latin American History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and has received grants from the Social Sciences Research Council, the Tinker Foundation, and the Newberry Library. He has published articles in prestigious academic journals such as the Journal of Latin American Studies and has presented his work at international conferences organized by, among others, the American Historical Association and the Latin American Studies Association. As a content writer, he was contributed to two major documentary series for the Argentine Public Television channel, and The History Channel.
IES Abroad Buenos Aires Staff
Agustín Eisele
Director of Academics
Florencia Magnasco
Student Affairs Manager
Rosario Tobias
Administrative Manager and Intercultural Competence (ICC) Coordinator
Ileana Ayos
Partner Programs Coordinator & Academic Advisor
Ana Principi
Spanish Coordinator
Martin Tessi
Moodle Administrator
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
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Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
