Study in Buenos Aires with IFSA
Buenos Aires
, Argentina

IFSA Study in Buenos Aires

Program Overview

OUR MOST AFFORDABLE ARGENTINE OPTION 

Looking for big city living with Latin flair and abundant opportunity to improve your Spanish? Find it in lively Buenos Aires, with our lowest-cost program, open to students with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Whether you major in business, economics, psychology, neuroscience, or Spanish, a range of IFSA English-taught classes in everything from multicultural psychology to international trade make it easy to gain the credits you need while you get to know a city known for its powerful cultural scene, passion for tango, and fondness for late nights. Option for an internship gives you an insider’s pass to Argentine work culture.

Interested in taking classes at an Argentine university? Explore IFSA Study in Buenos Aires Plus and IFSA Study in Buenos Aires Plus: Psychology and Neuroscience.

Details at a Glance

Application deadline

Fall: April 1
Spring: Nov. 1

Minimum GPA

2.00

Credit load

12-16

Housing

Home Stay

Instruction language

English

Prerequisites

None

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Academics

IFSA’s Study in Buenos Aires program provides a compelling curriculum that’s taught in English and focuses on business, economics, psychology, neuroscience, and Spanish. Crafted for U.S. degree requirements and contemporary hot topics, you can select four to five IFSA classes for a total of 12-15 U.S. semester credit hours.

All courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credits and open to all students without prerequisites. Classes may vary by semester based on faculty availability and student interest.

Brain, Drugs, and Addiction
This class examines substance use and its impact on how the brain functions from the perspective of neuropsychology. The concept of drugs, normal brain functioning, and the impact of their consumption at the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological levels will be analyzed. Students will address social, psychological, cultural, and biological aspects that are linked to the deterioration of the nervous system, as well as the differences between occasional use, problematic use, and addiction. Finally, a comparison will be made in the substance use and its impact approach between Argentina and the U.S.

Globalization and Economic Challenges in Latin America
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.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Taking an interdisciplinary approach, students apply the principles of psychology to the needs of businesses. They identify problems and provide solutions to increase employee engagement and productivity. This class offers the city of Buenos Aires as a learning laboratory, therefore, while its concepts are applicable to a variety of cultural environments, each unit additionally examines the topics from a uniquely Argentine perspective. Through case studies and field visits, students achieve a comparative analysis of business life in the U.S. and Argentina.

International Internship Seminar
Students are placed in individual internships but collectively take part in the seminar to prepare for the experience, understand expectations, set personal objectives, identify and strengthen specific skills, critically reflect on their progress, share experiences, and learn from each other throughout their term. Students develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their professional areas, and Argentine work culture. In this seminar, which is focused on application of theory to practice, students gain real-world work experience while developing intercultural agility—skills and experiences that are critically important to personal, academic, and professional success.

Coming Spring 2024 - International Political Economy
This class explores theoretical issues and illustrative case studies related to international political economy. Students examine ways domestic and international politics affect relations between states by examining the role of government in the production, distribution, and consumption of resources. Students also learn to apply core concepts and theories in international political economy to case materials.

International Trade
This class gives students the conceptual basis and the necessary tools for understanding modern international trade at the intermediate level. Topics include gains from trade in a classical world; the modern theory of international trade; factor price equalization; empirical tests and extensions of the pure theory model; economic growth and international trade; the nature and effects of protection; motives and welfare effects of factor movements. Each topic will be followed with examples and case studies mainly under the context of Argentina’s international trade with the U.S., China, and the rest of the world.

Intervention Strategies in Mental Health
This class covers strategies of intervention in mental health. Some psychologists in Argentina have defined “mental health” as a comprehensive and inclusive state of actions capable of producing welfare rooted in the insertion of the individual in their functional milieu. Together students learn about mental health, intervention, and effective strategies, while exploring the applications across diverse situations and populations. Identifying effective preventive and therapeutic strategies is crucial to establishing public policies which contribute to mental well-being at individual, family, community, and social levels.

Multicultural Psychology
The purpose of this class is to place psychology in a global perspective from a cross-cultural approach—to analyze mental processes that may be universal while evaluating how cultural differences impact behavior. To do so, students will critically examine theories of multiculturalism and diversity. Students will explore the ways in which psychology is socially constructed and pay special attention to factors that influence human development, such as oppression, language, prejudice, among others. The course is experiential, so that students learn through observation of their own and others’ behavior.

Social Cognition and Neuroscience
Integrating insights from cognitive psychology, social cognition, and cognitive neuroscience, this class explores how we understand other people’s behavior. Students will examine the organization of the brain and its functions from a descriptive dimension, as well as from a global and systemic perspective to understand how we construct social cognitions and their effect on behavior and social interaction. Intending to make the theoretical contents easily understandable, the topics will be approached from practical examples, both from the local culture (e.g., fútbol, mate) and from global social examples (e.g., the Holocaust, bullying).

The Psychology of Crime and Justice
This class introduces the broad range of theoretical and methodological approaches to forensic psychology and criminal justice. Is a criminal mind born as such, or is the criminal a product of their environment? What role do governments and societies play in facing crime? Students will gain a foundation in relevant areas of psychology and psychoanalysis and then examine how that science interacts with real-world judicial systems. Additional topics will include punishment, treatment, and rehabilitation; assessment and intervention; and how dimensions of privilege can impact perceptions of crime and justice in conscious and subconscious ways.

IFSA LANGUAGE CLASSES

Developing skills in a foreign language can profoundly impact your life personally and professionally. Though language study (other than Essential Spanish) is not required, students frequently report their Spanish language class as one of their favorites and the one they applied most outside the classroom.

Essential Spanish
If you’ve never taken Spanish and you decide not to take an elective language class, you’ll take this introductory seminar taught intensively during the first weeks of the program. By introducing key words and phrases and venturing out into the city to practice them, this class also provides insights into local customs and daily life. Right from the start, you’ll gain essential skills to communicate effectively and navigate in a new culture. (1 U.S. semester credit hour)

Spanish Language
No prior language study is required. A mandatory pre-arrival language assessment will determine your appropriate language level. (3 U.S. semester credit hours)

INTERNSHIP
In Buenos Aires, you can participate in a part-time, credit-bearing internship at sites that may include Argentine NGOs, local corporations or government organizations. Participating in an internship will build your resume and immerse yourself in the professional culture of Argentina. English-speaking placements are limited. Students with previous Spanish language experience will be better positioned to secure an internship in Buenos Aires.

Working with an IFSA seminar instructor and your onsite coordinator, you will complete an academic paper, earning 3 U.S. semester credit hours. The placement process begins with the submission of the Internship Interest Form upon acceptance into the program, and typically concludes with an in-person interview in Buenos Aires.

Applicants are encouraged to be flexible as IFSA makes every effort to place interns at companies or organizations that match the organization's needs with your skills, experience, and goals, including but not limited to your Spanish language level and communication skills, prior professional experience, and work competencies. Your personal goals are also taken into consideration, so that the internship experience meets your expectations.

Internships may include opportunities to:

  • Monitor and maintain regular social media activity to assist with the development of virtual brand presence
  • Collaborate with community-led organizations that connect and support startups and entrepreneurs in Buenos Aires
  • Develop strategies that advance international relationships in varying industries to increase overall exports in Argentina
  • Play an active role in market research to design marketing and advertising strategies
  • Conduct industry analysis to expand statistical knowledge and inform data-driven decisions
  • Research and write briefs that recommend pathways for economic improvement

VOLUNTEERING
The IFSA Buenos Aires Global Flagship 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.

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 U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
  • You must have completed at least one (1) semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.

Recommendation Letter
Not required.

Language Requirement
No requirement.

Visa Requirement
This program requires a visa for all students.

TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects courses taken, credits attempted, and grades 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.

Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t our control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

Activities

  • City-as-Text: This guided walking tour will introduce you to Porteño society and culture through the varied artistic expressions that can be found throughout Buenos Aires including street art, dance, theater, and music.
  • La Boca Neighborhood Tour: The oldest site of Italian migration to Buenos Aires, the famous and colorful La Boca neighborhood is home to one of the city’s most popular soccer teams, Club Atlético Boca Juniors. The tour will include a visit to La Bombonera stadium to appreciate the importance of soccer as popular expression in Argentina.
  • Colón Theatre Performance: Attend a performance at Colón Theatre, one of the most important opera houses in the world, to learn about the influence and experience the importance of art in Argentina.
  • Pandemic and Politics: This event will engage you in a discussion about how the pandemic was handled and the effects it has had on Argentina. A guest lecturer will address specific issues around how the population lived through this worldwide event.

Excursions

  • Tigre Delta del Parana Trip: This overnight excursion to the Tigre Delta includes a boat ride and offers a glimpse into the contrasts between wetlands and island living and the big-city life in Buenos Aires.
  • Eco-Village Trip: This day-long trip to an eco-village explores the traditional agricultural mode of production and delves into issues such as organic and self-sustainable farming, local consumption, and the dynamics of multinational farming and feedlot production.

Housing and Meals

Housing

Home Stay

Meals

All Included

Details

A homestay is with a local family and includes three meals per day. Only one IFSA student is placed with each family. Students with limited Spanish skills will be housed with families that speak English. You will have a single bedroom with a bed, shared bathroom, and a desk or other designated place to study. Laundry is included. You may occasionally buy snacks and eat at restaurants beyond what is provided by homestay families.

Dates and Fees

Term

Term begins

Term ends

Program costs

Application deadline

Fall 2023

July 30, 2023

November 18, 2023

$14,995

Passed

Spring 2024

Late Feb. 2024

Mid-June 2024

$14,995 (estimated)

Nov. 1

Fall 2024

Late July 2024

Mid-Nov. 2024

$14,995 (estimated)

April 1

Term

Fall 2023

Term begins

July 30, 2023

Term ends

November 18, 2023

Program costs

$14,995

Application deadline

Passed

Term

Spring 2024

Term begins

Late Feb. 2024

Term ends

Mid-June 2024

Program costs

$14,995 (estimated)

Application deadline

Nov. 1

Term

Fall 2024

Term begins

Late July 2024

Term ends

Mid-Nov. 2024

Program costs

$14,995 (estimated)

Application deadline

April 1

Get Started

Selena Rincon

Selena Rincon

Admissions Counselor

Eleni Katsarelas

Eleni Katsarelas

Prearrival Counselor

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