CIEE Liberal Arts Program in Buenos Aires, Argentina

  Argentina

• Buenos Aires: 
Buenos Aires

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 20 weeks: late July-mid-December; Spring 20 weeks: mid-February-mid-July; Calendar Year: 39 weeks- mid February - mid-December; Academic Year: 53 weeks - late-July - mid-July

Description: The Liberal Arts program helps students gain a critical appreciation of Argentina and its importance in Latin America from a social sciences and humanities perspective. This is achieved through CIEE courses offered at Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO-Argentina) and direct enrollment courses in academic departments and faculties at Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Pontificia Universidad Catolica (UCA), and Instituto Universitario Nacional de Arte (IUNA). Students immerse in the Argentine culture by living with a host family or in a student residence.

Academic Program
Established in 1993, the CIEE Study Center at FLACSO in Buenos Aires, Argentina includes specialized courses at FLACSO in a variety of disciplines taught by experts in various academic fields, and taught exclusively to CIEE students. In addition, students are required to enroll in direct enrollment courses within academic departments and faculties at the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), and the Instituto Universitario Nacional de Arte (IUNA). This arrangement allows CIEE students to combine the specialized, more personalized think tank atmosphere of FLACSO with the vibrant and challenging Argentine university life of UBA, UCA, and IUNA. Given the acknowledged excellence of the faculty and the wide range of course offerings, the CIEE program is suitable for students with very strong language skills. All courses are taught in Spanish.

Academic Culture
At FLACSO, courses are organized and evaluated on a system very similar to that in the U.S., with each professor following a provided syllabus. At UBA, classes normally meet for six hours per week and class time is divided between lectures and discussion workshops. At UCA, students matriculate in courses ranging from 10 to 30 students. At IUNA, class size varies in each department from smaller seminar-style classes to larger survey courses. The atmosphere of the universities is quite distinct in terms of the socio-demographic backgrounds of the student bodies, their political leanings, size of classes, and infrastructure. The opportunity to enroll in more than one Argentine university is unique and provides insight into the diversity of the Argentine educational system.

The academic year program roughly coincides with the North American academic year, taking place from July to July; the calendar year program coincides with the Argentinean academic year and takes place from late February to mid-December. Academic year students have a three-month break between semesters, and calendar year students have a one week break between the first and second semesters.

Because Argentine students follow specialized paths of university studies, their expertise in their area of study is advanced, so the level of difficulty may be higher than what is typical at the U.S. undergraduate level.

Highlights:

• Unique CIEE courses about Latin American and Argentine issues at FLACSO
  
• Facilitated course registration, academic writing workshops, tutorials to support students in direct enrollment courses, and a community service seminar
  
• CIEE trips to cultural destinations within Buenos Aires; an overnight excursion outside of Buenos Aires; an educational trip to Tilcara; and visits to museums, festivals, and soccer matches
  
• Cultural immersion activities around a common theme with Argentine peers
  

Immersion
Grupos de Interes
These special interest groups provide students an opportunity to meet other Argentine youth and participate in cultural activities organized around a common interest. Current special interest groups include the Futbol Club, the Theater Arts and Music Group, and the Journalism Group.

Volunteer Opportunities
CIEE students can volunteer with organizations involved in social policy, human rights, community service, and health issues. Students interested in this option enroll in the Seminar on Community Service and Volunteer Work course, which includes 15 hours of theoretical coursework and 45 hours of volunteer service.

Mes de la Familia
At the beginning of the program, there is a gathering for CIEE students and host families. Families and students living in the same neighborhood are introduced through a shared meal to build a neighborhood network of local Argentines with whom the students will interact in addition to their own host family.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes