IFSA Argentine Universities Program

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With the IFSA Argentine Universities Program, build your own academic program with a combination of IFSA elective classes and Argentine university classes taken in Spanish alongside local degree-seeking students. You will select at least one IFSA class and combine it with your choice of additional IFSA classes and direct-enroll classes to meet your academic needs and goals.

Students typically take the majority of their classes at local institutions, where they study alongside Argentine and other international students and strengthen their Spanish language skills in the process. These classes can be complemented and enhanced by a selection of IFSA electives that connect students with their community through field visits and other experiential learning opportunities.

IFSA ELECTIVE CLASSES
Choose from a variety of classes designed exclusively for IFSA participants. All IFSA classes are taught in Spanish. Classes may vary by term based on enrollment and faculty availability.

Advanced Spanish I  or  Advanced Spanish II
Language of Instruction: Spanish
While in Buenos Aires, you can opt to continue your Spanish language study. A mandatory prearrival language assessment will determine your appropriate language level. Based on your score, IFSA may require you to take a Spanish language class to support your academic success in Spanish-taught direct-enroll classes. (3 US semester credit hours)

Argentina and Human Rights
Language of Instruction: Spanish
The class comprises theoretical and practical contents of human rights and modernity. The main objective is to cover the historicization of human rights, through an analysis of modernity and capitalism. It focuses on the history of human rights in Argentina from the independence revolutionary era to the return of the democratic government in the 1980s. Finally, the class reviews the experience of human rights in Argentina through two specific ways: The 1976 military coup, the detention camps, and the transition to democracy; Through the visit to communal memory spaces related to the systemic and institutional violation of human rights during the 1976-1983 military governments. (3 US semester credit hours)

Contemporary Film and Media in Latin America
Language of Instruction: Spanish
This hands-on seminar immerses students in concrete audiovisual practices as it investigates how Argentina’s and Latin America’s film production, both fictional and documentary, have evolved to shape political perspectives and events. Analysis of full-length films, short films, photography, audiovisual campaigns, and advertising will be approached from an aesthetic perspective. Students will develop a cinematic vocabulary to critique award-winning and internationally recognized films from the region and how they address the underlying issues and historic context they present to audiences. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Directed Research
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Directed research offers a unique opportunity to delve deeply into host context research projects. Students will be guided through projects that are both feasible in the study abroad context and relevant to their broader intellectual interests. The Directed Research class is structured through regular individual meetings with a faculty mentor to discuss the formation and execution of a research plan and, depending on the specific project, the possibility to conduct field or internet-based research. At the end of the term, students bring their research to fruition in the form of a paper and an oral presentation that meet recognized standards of scholarly work. The Directed Research class includes one-to-one faculty meetings, where students are taught essential components pertaining to research methodologies, ethical and safe research practices, and reflective practice. The faculty meetings aim to familiarize students with academic research theory, including framing a working hypothesis, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and evaluation and analysis of collected data. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Globalization and Economic Challenges in Latin America
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Starting from economic changes in Latin America in the 1960s through future economic scenarios for Argentina in the 21st century, this class examines globalization’s historic impact as economies and financial systems become more interconnected. Supporting topics ranging from climate change, commercial conflicts, and strategic trade alliances with China, the U.S., and other regions, a series of field visits allow students to gain firsthand experience with the economic challenges and opportunities globalization presents in and around Buenos Aires. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

International Internship Seminar
Language of Instruction: English
All internships include participation in the International Internship Seminar, which covers 15 hours of online asynchronous Canvas modules to provide structured opportunities to reflect on the practical experience of the internship, learn more about your host country’s business culture, and further develop the professional skills needed for a successful transition from undergraduate coursework into a career or graduate school. Plus, you will engage with an online global cohort of IFSA internship participants, gaining exposure to business cultures around the world. Internship placements are conducted in Spanish. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Introduction to Spanish Translation
Language of Instruction: Spanish
The class aims to improve students’ command of Spanish through translation tasks between Spanish and English, paying attention to grammar as well as discourse (vocabulary, register, dialect, etc.), and cultural differences between both the source and the target language. We will study the fundamental aspects of translation theory and see how practice necessarily needs theoretical support. The class will also introduce students to the different professional domains where a translator can work in the 21st century, such as subtitling, post-editing, and interpreting. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

Unheard Voices: Contemporary Latin American Literature
Language of Instruction: Spanish
This class explores the fundamental texts and authors of Chilean and Argentine literature of the 20th century. We will not only cover the canon of Latin American literature, but also rethink the canon to develop a counter-literature. To this end, we will trace the cultural tensions the texts express in the context of political currents. We will also consider certain themes from the 19th century to understand the way in which Argentine and Chilean authors take up, readapt, and reformulate these themes, according to new questions in the 20th century. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

DIRECT-ENROLL CLASSES
As our student, you may enroll in undergraduate classes for which you are qualified and for which space is available at any of our Argentine partner universities. See information below for a list of departments available to you. While class descriptions may be found online, class syllabi may not be available until the beginning of your semester. If a class you are looking for is not listed, or if you are having trouble navigating a university’s website, contact your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for assistance.

Also, keep in mind:

• Yearlong classes (anual) are open only to students who plan on taking both semesters of the class.
• 1 semestre (S1) or cuatrimestre is equivalent to U.S. spring semester.
• 2 semestre (S2) or cuatrimestre is equivalent to U.S. fall semester.

While searching for classes fitting your interests and academic needs, you may find some host institution classes delivered in English as well as in Spanish. Classes taught in English are open to you as an IFSA student provided you meet the stated prerequisites. However, prior to arrival you should discuss with your home institution’s study abroad advisor any academic requirements related to study abroad in a non-English speaking location.

Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) – Facultad de Ciencias Sociales

1. Click here to access UBA-CS’s online class catalog.
2. Departments are listed in the header at the top of the page. Double click on the department where you would like to take classes (i.e. Ciencias Politicas).
3. Select “Académicas.”
4. Click on “Programas” to view a list of classes.
5. If available, you can obtain syllabus by clicking on the document icon corresponding to the correct academic year.

You can also view the curricular ladder for each major by returning to the Facultad de Ciencias Sociales home page, click on one of the majors listed at the top of the page, and then click on “Plan de estudios.” When the page loads, you can click “”Ver Plan de estudios” to view the curricular ladder.

The following UBA-CS departments are available to you: Sociología, Ciencia política, Ciencias de la Comunicación, Relaciones del Trabajo, and Trabajo Social.

Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) – Facultad de Filosofía y Letras

1. Click here to access UBA-FL’s online class catalog.
2. Choose an area of study (‘Carrera de Grado’) and click on it (‘Ver más’).
3. To see class offerings, click on “Plan de estudios.”
4. To see syllabi (when available), click on “Programas y horarios,” “Programación,” or “Asignaturas,” depending on the options given for that major.

The following UBA-FL departments are available to you: Letras, Geografía, Artes, Filosofía, Antropología, Ciencias de la Educación, and Historia.

Universidad del Salvador (USAL)

1. Click here to access USAL’s online class catalog.
2. Click on a “facultad” that interests you (i.e. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales).
3. Choose a subject and click on it to see the class listings.
4. For most subjects, only a list of classes will appear. For others, short descriptions or syllabi may be available if you click on the class title.

The following USAL departments are available to you:

• Facultad de Historia, Filosofía y Letras: Letras, Lengua Inglesa, Interpretación de Conferencias en Inglés, Traductorado Público de Inglés, Traductorado Científico Literario de Inglés, Historia, Ciencias Ambientales, Gestión de Historia de las Artes and Filosofía
• Facultad de Ciencias Sociales: Ciencia Política, Sociología, Relaciones Internacionales and Servicio Social
• Facultad de Ciencias de la Administración: Administración, Comercialización, Administración de Recursos Humanos, Sistemas de Información
• Facultad de Artes de Teatro: Escenografía and Arte Dramático
• Facultad de Psicología: Psicología and Psicopedagogía
• Escuela de Diseño: Diseño Gráfico
• Escuela de Estudios Orientales: Estudios Orientales

Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (UTDT)

1. Click here to access UTDT’s online class catalog.
2. Scroll down and select the major you are interested in. This will download a PDF of the classes offered. You should pay close attention to which semester the classes are offered. Please disregard the instructions for international students that appear on this page; all communication should be with IFSA, not UTDT.

The following departments are available to you: Department of Economics, School of Business, Department of Political Science, Department of International Studies, School of History, Department of Law.

Language Requirement
To enroll in Spanish-taught classes, an internship, or directed research, you must have a specific language level. Please visit our Language Requirements page for more details. If you have questions about whether you qualify, contact your IFSA Enrollment Counselor.

Direct-Enroll Classes
Students may enroll in any direct-enroll class at Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Universidad del Salvador (USAL), or Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (UTDT) as long as they meet the class prerequisites.

USAL Literature
You must have taken at least five semesters of university-level Spanish classes or equivalent to enroll in literature classes at USAL’s Faculty of History, Philosophy and Letters.

IFSA Classes
Due to visa requirements, students are required to take at last one IFSA class.

DIRECTED RESEARCH
Engage in individualized field research with faculty experts on a contemporary issue of interest. Regular meetings with faculty will assist in the formation and execution of research plans, and they will guide you on how to thoughtfully and critically integrate academic research with experiential learning. You will sharpen your written and oral communication skills through the development of articulate and comprehensive research that is respectful to the sensitivities of the local culture.

If you chose to research live human subjects, live animals or another topic that is deemed by IFSA to be required to be reviewed by the Institutional Research Board (IRB) at your home institution, then you will have to file your project with your home institution’s IRB board and submit your result to IFSA. Your IFSA Enrollment Counselor will review your application materials to help determine if you must file with IRB.

Research opportunities are conducted in Spanish. For more detailed information and examples of previous student placements, contact your IFSA Enrollment Counselor.

VOLUNTEERING
The IFSA Buenos Aires Program Center organizes non-credit bearing volunteer opportunities throughout the semester, usually as one-time activities or events. On occasion, more sustained involvement may be possible. Opportunities vary, but may include agricultural work on an organic farm, assisting students through tutoring or playing games designed to build social skills, or providing services for the homeless population or LGBTQ+ community in Buenos Aires.

INTERNSHIPS
IFSA internships include real-world work experience, along with developing intercultural skills and experiences that are key to personal, academic, and professional success. Expect to devote a total of 120 hours working with your host organization, with supervision from your seminar instructor, coordinated by on-site IFSA team members. In addition, interns complete the  International Internship Seminar  for 3 US semester credit hours. Internships are not remunerated.

Students have interned at NGOs, local corporations, and government organizations in Buenos Aires.

Your goals are carefully considered, tailoring the placement process to ensure the best possible fit. Keep in mind that final placements depend on your skills (including your Spanish language abilities), prior experience, and availability. Although every effort is made to match your placement with your preferred field or area of ​​business, it can’t be guaranteed. Internships are conducted in Spanish.

Application.  After you submit your application, resume, and IFSA Internship Interest Form, an IFSA Enrollment Counselor and an on-site IFSA Team member will work with you to identify your professional strengths, review your goals, and refine your internship interests to establish a match. From there, you’ll have an interview in Buenos Aires with your potential internship host. You will be provided with tips and resources to prepare for your interview.

Sample Placements.  The following are examples of internships IFSA students have recently completed. Placement options vary from term to term.

• Plan and implement initiatives to improve the living conditions of vulnerable groups
• Prepare proposals for media campaigns and meetings to raise awareness on violence against women and the LGBTQ+ community
• Examine and source historical archives on humanitarian crimes to raise awareness and support human rights
• Assist and support differently abled children through educational and recreational activities
• Participate in projects focused on eliminating the gender gap in social, political and economic arenas
• Coordinate interactive activities to strengthen the relationship between the immigrant and local community, and society at large

New country, new way of learning!

Here’s what to expect at Universidad de Buenos Aires, Universidad del Salvador, and Universidad Torcuato Di Tella:

• More emphasis on independent learning. More self-directed learning outside of class.
• The universities follow strict policies and deadlines.
• Grade inflation and curving are uncommon; fewer students get exceptional grades.
• Strong focus on critical analysis with supporting resources documented.
• Students cannot audit courses.
• Full access to the universities’ robust academic support system and resources. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.
• More information can be found in the IFSA Student Portal under Resources – Helpful Documents and Links and Academics.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
• You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a US or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
• You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
• Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.

Recommendation Letter
Not required. A directed research or internship site may request a reference letter before placement is finalized.

GPA
Students are strongly recommended to have 3.0 or higher GPA for any classes at Universidad Torcuato di Tella.

Language Requirement
Four (4) semesters of college-level Spanish or an Intermediate II level proficiency is required. Students are strongly recommended to have higher than a B2 level (6.5 or higher) on True North for Spanish-instructed classes at Universidad Torcuato di Tella.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the US semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and degrees earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost . See our  Transcripts  page for more information.