Buenos Aires, Argentina

Latin American Societies & Cultures

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Experiential Learning, Part-Time Internship
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Apartment, Homestay

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English, Spanish

Language Prerequisites:

None

Part-Time Internship (Optional):

Included in Program Fee

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

Open to students of all language levels, the Latin American Societies & Cultures Program allows you to improve your Spanish language skills while taking courses in Business, Humanities, and Social Sciences, all with an academic emphasis on Latin America.

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Enroll in Courses at a Local University

Experience the Argentine educational system first-hand.

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Join in the Academic Symposium

And hone your research, writing, and public presentation skills.

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Learn from Community Leaders

Enroll in a community-based learning course.

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Gain Hands-On Experience

Add international work experience to your résumé.

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

July 27 - November 23

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
16,900

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

Hannah Yindra headshot

Hannah Yindra

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Why Buenos Aires?

If you’re ready for an urban adventure, Buenos Aires is your city. With endless districts and neighborhoods to explore, you will get lost in the sights and sounds of Buenos Aires. Tango the night away as you learn the country’s popular dance, attend one of the many soccer games, and browse the local art scene—all this and more awaits when you study abroad in Buenos Aires.

Learn More About Buenos Aires

Get to Know Your New City

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Feast at a Traditional Argentine Asado

Try local dishes, such as steak with chimichurri sauce and empanadas.

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Get Your Tango On

Immerse yourself in the rhythms of this historic dance.

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¡Vamos Argentina!

Cheer on Argentina's national soccer team in their home stadium.

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Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts

Take in art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

The Student Experience

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Housing

Two students sit on either side of their homestay mom on a light tan couch. All are smiling at the camera.
  • Apartment
  • Homestay

Apartment

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.

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. 

Partner Institutions

an outside view of a Universidad Torcuato di Tella (UTDT) building
  • UCA
  • UBA
  • UTDT

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina

Founded in 1958, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina (UCA) is a leading university that is internationally recognized. UCA enrolls approximately 22,000 students, hosting about 700 international students each year from 40 countries. 

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.

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Courses

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You take 15–19 credits per semester. 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. 

  • IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 4 or 6 credits) 
  • Programa de Estudios Latinoamericanos (PEL) course at Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) (required, 3 credits each) 
  • IES Abroad English-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each) 
  • IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses* (optional, 3 credits each) 
  • Spanish language reading/writing workshop (optional, 3 credits) 
  • Spanish-taught courses at local universities (optional, credits vary)*  
  • Internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits) 
  • Community-based learning placement 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. 

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

* Must have a high proficiency level in Spanish 

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (16)

Anthropology (1)

Course name Term Language Credits
AN 364 - The Making of Patagonia: An Interdisciplinary Approach Fall, Spring Spanish 3

Partner Institution Courses

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Argentina

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.

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 

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Universidad de Buenos Aires

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.

IES Abroad has a partnership with the Universidad de Buenos Aires (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 

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Universidad Torcuato di Tella

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.

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 Universidad Torcuato di Tella (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. 

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PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

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Field Trips

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. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

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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.

group of students standing in front of a tall, gothic building with two spires on a cloudy day

Luján & Local Estancia: Orientation

1 Day Fall, Spring & Summer

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).

students taking a tango lesson in Buenos Aires

Tango Show

1 Day ($) Fall, Spring & Summer

Experience dinner and a classic tango performance in a traditional venue with authentic Argentine songs performed by professionals and complex choreography in an intimate setting.

Two students standing in front of a red stucco building and smiling at the camera.

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. Its narrow cobblestone streets and remnants of its...

A chapel in San Isidro. The building has multiple spires and detailed glass windows.

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 NeoGothic cathedral and handicraft fair. Take a tour of the Villa Ocampo Museum, the house of the...

Part-Time 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. 

Placement Examples

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Arts & Museums

a business student walking in Milan

Business & Marketing

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Journalism & Communication

Experiential Learning

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. 

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
13,470
Housing
$
3,200
Insurance
$
230
Total
$
16,900

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
13,455
Housing
$
3,200
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
16,900

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
24,205
Housing
$
6,400
Insurance
$
550
Total
$
31,155

Spring 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

Learn More
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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Buenos Aires Center is located in a neighborhood known for its architecture and history. Whether you’re catching up on your homework in the Plaza San Martin, or brushing up on history at the Recoleta Cemetery, the Center is your study abroad hub.  

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Buenos Aires
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Buenos Aires. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore Buenos Aires before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
On-Site Staff Support
Our experienced, trained, and dedicated local staff are on-site throughout your entire program to ensure you have the support you need during your abroad adventure.
Settle In
Orientation continues throughout the semester with field trips allowing you to both further sample elements of Argentinian culture and get to know the other students.

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 which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" 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.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

February 24 - June 22

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

July 27 - November 23

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

Late July - Late June

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Sophomore, junior, or senior standing when program begins 
  • No previous Spanish language study required 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

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