Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures
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Buenos Aires - Latin American Societies & Cultures
$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 through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at a prestigious local university enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
You take 15–19 credits per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise noted. Language courses are taught in Spanish. Advanced-level Spanish students with four or more semesters of Spanish or the equivalent can take a maximum of two English-taught courses.
You customize your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 or 6 credits)
- Programa de Estudios Latinoamericanos (PEL) course at Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) (required*, credits vary)
- IES Abroad English-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (for students with advanced language skills; optional, 3 credits each)
- Spanish language reading/writing workshop (optional, 3 credits)
- Spanish-taught courses at local university (optional, credits vary)
- Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA)
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)**
- Universidad Torcuato di Tella (UTDT)**
- IES Abroad internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
- Service learning placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
*Required unless enrolled in another UCA course
** Must have a high proficiency level in Spanish
Academic Symposium
Throughout the semester, you may choose to work with a 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 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 that will be good experience, both academically and professionally.
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.
Language of instruction can be found in each course syllabus.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LS/CU 330 - Drugs & Violence in Latin American Literature and Arts | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS 321 - Contemporary Argentine History: Politics and Culture in the Construction of a National Identity | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IB 340 - Business Strategies in Latin America | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| MG/IM/IB 302 - Managing Behavior in Organizations: A Cross-Cultural Perspective | Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG/IM/IB 302 - Managing Behavior in Organizations: A Cross-Cultural Perspective | Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR/PO 353 - Populism and Neo-populism: Latin American Politics in a Changing World | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LS/CU 330 - Drugs & Violence in Latin American Literature and Arts | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MG/IM/IB 302 - Managing Behavior in Organizations: A Cross-Cultural Perspective | Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK 220/320 - Marketing in Latin America | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR/PO 353 - Populism and Neo-populism: Latin American Politics in a Changing World | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS 360 - Cross Cultural Psychology | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SL 395 - Service Learning Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP 101I - Spanish Language in Context: Novice Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 6 |
| SP 201I - Spanish Language in Context: Novice Abroad III | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 6 |
| SP 301I - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 6 |
| 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)
The following universities release their official course offerings just before the start of each semester. For this reason, you will not be able to register for university courses until you arrive on-site. Course offerings vary by semester. Eligibility depends on language level and, in some cases, your previous academic experience in the discipline.
When you enroll in a course at a partner university, you will commute to class just like the local students do.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina (UCA)
www.uca.edu.ar
Founded in 1958, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina is a leading internationally recognized university. UCA enrolls approximately 22,000 students, hosting about 700 international students each year from 40 countries. You will enroll in the Argentina Today course for 2 credits, or in at least one other university course. Additional courses are available in the disciplines below:
- Art & Music
- Business & Economics
- Humanities
- Philosophy
- 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.
Service Learning
Participating in a service 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 first-hand some of the social issues that affect Buenos Aires, while contributing your skills toward a community-driven solution.
A service learning experience consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by an academic, for-credit service 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.
You fulfill a minimum of eight hours per week or a total of 112 hours throughout the semester at the Service Learning placement.
Volunteer Opportunities
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.
Internships
Interning while you study in Buenos Aries gives you a rewarding job experience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. You will:
- Gain a better understanding of the real-life, everyday culture of your host country
- Add global work experience and skills to your résumé or your application for graduate school
- Improve your confidence
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.
No prior Spanish language study is required, though placement options can vary based on your language levels.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal internship placement that fulfills your academic and career goals. We’ve placed students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently work with a business or organization in your field of interest, we will search for a placement that’s right for you.
Placement Examples
- Arts & Museums
- Business & Marketing
- Education
- Journalism & Communications
- Public Health
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Buenos Aires, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. (Some of these trips may require an additional cost.) IES Abroad also organizes more than 30 cultural events and trips each term.
Possible destinations may include:
Jujuy
4 Days | Fall & Spring
Experience the 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 the local folklore music and dance.
Colonia
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.
Luján & Local Estancia
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit the city of Luján, with its famous cathedral where pilgrims come from all over the country. Enjoy the open fields of the greater Buenos Aires province, then spend the following day 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 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:
- Urban graffiti walking tour
- Key museums in Buenos Aires
- Historic neighborhood tours
- Theaters in Buenos Aires including the Colón Opera House
- El Zanjon Archaeological Site
EXTENDED COURSE-RELATED TRIP
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 multiday, 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
The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to our Buenos Aires staff, your fellow students, and the city of Buenos Aires.
Language instruction and an introduction to colloquial Spanish in Argentina are additional components of the orientation.
You will also receive thorough academic advising and register for IES Abroad and partner university courses.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through 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 - You live with a family or señora in a private homestay. These residences are centrally located throughout Buenos Aires. 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, and each student will have his or her own room.
Apartments – Live with another IES Abroad student in a centrally located, furnished apartment within easy distance of your IES Abroad Center. No meals are included but basic kitchen facilities are available. WiFi is also available.
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
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
Program-Specific 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).
Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Robert McNeill, member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for 25 years (6 years as Chairman). Open to students who have an interest in international business. Majors might include management, marketing, economics, finance, international relations, and social and behavioral sciences.
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.
William E. & Mary M. Dwyer Need-Based Spanish Scholarship
These scholarships are intended for students interested in studying in a Spanish-speaking country.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Buenos Aires, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Buenos Aires Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Argentine experience.
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
Juan Hudson
Center Director
Born and raised in Argentina, Juan (John) Hudson has extensive experience living and learning abroad. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, and he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Prior to joining IES Abroad, Juan held senior academic and managerial roles in the study abroad field in Latin America. Juan has also served as the Director for the Graduate Marketing Program at the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, as well as Director of the MBA Program at the Universidad de Palermo's Graduate School of Business in Buenos Aires. In Argentina, he has held numerous teaching appointments in the fields of international business and marketing, and he has served as a Visiting International Scholar at Virginia Commonwealth University.
IES Abroad Buenos Aires Staff
Agustín Eisele
Director of Academics
Florencia Magnasco
Student Affairs Manager
Ileana Ayos
Partner Programs Coordinator
Rosario Tobias
Administrative Manager and Intercultural Competence (ICC) Coordinator
Ana Príncipi
Spanish Coordinator
Tomás Fernández Abrevaya
Moodle and Administrative Assistant
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.
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 orienation 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!
Summer 2020 & Fall 2020 Refund Policy
A core philosophy of our health & safety procedures is that we plan for the what ifs so that you don't have to. That includes the development of our refund policy for Summer 2020 and Fall 2020, which allows you to still plan to study abroad or intern, knowing that if for some reason you cannot participate, your money will be fully refunded.
Don't put your dreams on hold just because the world is unknown.
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