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Summer Language and Culture at the Universidad de Buenos Aires

  • Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
  • Spanish requirement: 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
  • Length of program: 6 weeks, end of May to mid-July
  • Application deadlines: April 1
  • Program advisor: Emily Beck

Program Snapshot

buenos-aires

We’re excited that you’re considering IFSA-Butler's Summer Language and Culture Program at Universidad de Buenos Aires for your summer abroad. Buenos Aires is a vibrant metropolis with plenty to see and experience. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there.

What the Summer Language and Culture Program has to offer

  • Three outstanding program courses specially designed for IFSA-Butler students
  • Located at the oldest public university in Argentina
  • Convenient access to a dynamic city with unlimited things to see and do
  • Opportunity to fulfill degree requirements and improve your Spanish in a vibrant location

Academics

  • Program courses conducted in Spanish by Argentine faculty
  • Advanced Spanish and Argentine Culture course is mandatory for all students
  • You must choose at least one optional program course: Latin American and Argentine Literature or Argentine History
  • All courses are worth 3 U.S. semester credit hours
  • Academic tutors are available
  • Grades recorded on a Butler University transcript

Housing

  • IFSA-Butler arranges housing with carefully selected host families for each program participant
  • Two meals per day are included Sunday through Friday; one meal is provided on Saturday

We look forward to working with you!



Academics


Academic Structure

What is the academic structure of the Summer Language and Culture Program?
The program allows you to enroll in three classes specially designed for IFSA-Butler students at the Universidad de Buenos Aires. These classes, taught in Spanish by local professors, are intended to provide you with an understanding of the events and issues that make Argentina what it is today.

Program Courses

What program courses does IFSA-Butler offer?
The following courses are specially designed for IFSA-Butler students on the Summer Language and Culture Program. You are required to enroll in a mandatory Spanish language class; your placement level will be determined by an oral and written exam after your arrival in Argentina. Additionally, you can choose to enroll in one or both of the other program courses.

Click here to download all course syllabi. Click on a course title below to download an individual syllabus.

Advanced Spanish and Argentine Culture (3 U.S. semester credit hours)
This is an intensive advanced-level language course conducted in Spanish by Argentine professors. It meets for 45 contact hours over the course of the summer.

Latin American and Argentine Literature (3 U.S. semester credit hours)
Focusing on the 20th century, this course provides students with a survey of important and influential literature produced by Argentine and Latin American authors. This class is designed to increase students’ literary knowledge, develop deeper contextual and theoretical understanding, and analyze relationships between the texts and Latin American social and cultural processes. This class is conducted in Spanish and meets for 45 contact hours.

Argentine History (3 U.S. semester credit hours)
This course examines basic sociocultural history texts in order to develop a general comprehension of contemporary Argentine history. A brief survey of Argentine colonial history through independence prepares students for the radical events of the 20th century, which have greatly influenced Argentina’s path through modern history. This class is conducted in Spanish and meets for 45 contact hours.

University Info

What is the Universidad de Buenos Aires like?
The Universidad de Buenos Aires is the oldest and largest public institution for higher education in Argentina. It has many campuses spread throughout the metropolitan area. You will be taking your classes at the Filosofía y Letras campus, nestled in the Caballito neighborhood of Buenos Aires.

 

University Courses

What Universidad de Buenos Aires courses are available to me?
As an IFSA-Butler student, you can only enroll in the three program classes mentioned above. You can interact with Argentines on campus, but your classmates will be other IFSA-Butler program participants.

 

Registration

How will I register for courses?
Course registration will not take place until you are in Argentina. You, along with the help of the IFSA-Butler staff, will plan your course schedule during orientation.

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full course load as determined by IFSA-¬Butler, which is 6-9 U.S. semester credit hours for the summer. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. summer course load. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. Students are not allowed to register for on-line, distance education or hybrid courses. See the “Academics” and “Program Fees and Financial Aid” sections in Preparing to Study Abroad for more information.

 

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
You are not permitted to reschedule exams, request alternate assessment or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler will not be able to assist you in conducting an academic record query on the class in which you made this arrangement. Additionally, all academic obligations, including final exams, must be complete before leaving Argentina.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you return to the U.S., IFSA-Butler will send a Butler University transcript to your home university. The transcript reflects the courses taken, credits attempted and grades earned at the Universidad de Buenos Aires during your summer abroad. We will also send an official transcript to your permanent home address.

Academic Tutors

What if I need academic help during the semester?
In addition to the formal Spanish class, our program organizes tutoring sessions for students throughout the summer. These may be scheduled at various times during the week, when students meet with the tutor on an individual basis. Please meet with the IFSA-Butler resident staff if you would like the assistance of a tutor.



Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?
Study abroad is much more than academics. Learning takes place not only during class, but 24 hours a day. One of the best out-of-class experiences is the homestay, which is a vital, required component of the IFSA-Butler program. One IFSA-Butler student is placed with a carefully selected, program approved host family for the duration of the study abroad summer.

In addition to the program application, be sure to click on the "Forms" tab to download and complete your Family Placement Form. Once finished, submit your Family Placement Form to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail.

 


Meals

The program fee includes two meals per day Sunday through Friday, and one meal on Saturday.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation with your host family while classes are in session and during short university breaks. If you are studying abroad for an entire year, you will need to find alternate housing during the semester breaks. You will be responsible for the any commuting costs you may incur.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Argentina for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via email when it is ready.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
This program does not require a housing deposit.

Can I arrange my own housing?
All students who participate on the Summer Language and Culture program must live with a program approved host family for the duration of the program.

 

Location Info

Living and Studying Abroad in Buenos Aires
Population: 10 million
Location: Eastern Argentina, near the border of Uruguay

City features

  • Home to countless cultural and sporting attractions
  • One of the most cosmopolitan societies in the world, with a distinctly European air
  • Known as the "Paris of the Americas" for its sophistication and culture
  • Unparalleled opportunities to enjoy theatre, music, films and museums
  • Home to nearly 40 percent of the Argentine population
  • Reliable, inexpensive bus and local trains make getting around a breeze
  • Music and tango permeate the city and add to its colorful flavor

Do more!

  • Head out of the city and visit the Delta Tigre
  • Enjoy a weekend in Colonia or Montevideo, Uruguay
  • Take a day trip to the Isla Martín García

Links
Buenos Aires Tourism
Argentina Tourism
An Introduction to Buenos Aires
Lonely Planet Guide to Buenos Aires
Tourist Guide To Buenos Aires
Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

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Your program end date may change due to circumstances beyond IFSA-Butler's control. Upon arrival at your host university, be sure to verify your exam schedule and program end date. We also strongly recommend that you investigate fees and penalties associated with your airline tickets in case you need to make date or route changes.

Program housing is available only until the day shown on the calendar as “Program ends.” If you have academic obligations after this date let the IFSA-Butler staff know so they can arrange an extended stay with your host family.

Exams must be taken where and when scheduled. Under no circumstances may students request that an exam time be changed. Argentine exams are taken under formal examination conditions and changes cannot be made for individuals. 

Program Fees

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What's included in our summer program fees
Expense calculator

 

Payment Due: May 15

Program Fee Bills
IFSA-Butler will send a single bill for the entire program fee, which includes tuition, services, housing and some meals.

Housing
Each student lives with a carefully selected host family. The program fee includes two meals per day Sunday through Friday, and one meal on Saturday.

Personal Cost Estimates

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Expense calculator

These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs.

The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.

**Meals: The housing component of our program fee includes two meals per day Sunday through Friday, and one meal on Saturday.

Personal Miscellaneous: Covers general expenses of college life, including course supplies, photocopying, toiletries, snacks, personal care, etc.

Commuting: Estimates are for transportation between housing and university. Transportation for personal or recreational purposes is not included in the above estimates.

All costs are in U.S. dollars.

Forms

To apply to the Summer Language and Culture program use our easy online application.

Applicants to this program must complete an additional form as part of the application process:

Family Placement Form

Please submit this form with the remainder of your program application. It can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail.

If you have already started an application to the Summer Language and Culture program, you can check the status of your application using the Student Portal.


Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help prepare students for their program in Buenos Aires:

Assistant Director for Language-Based Programs Emily Beck assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Emily studied abroad in Mexico, worked in Chile, has traveled through Latin America, Europe and Australia, and is fluent in Spanish. She has worked with IFSA-Butler since 2005, as program advisor, interim resident director, and most recently assistant director for language-based programs. She currently advises students on studying abroad in Latin America and England. Emily can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4249.

Student Accounts Coordinator Marty Weinbrecht assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Marty can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4218.

Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (one who has studied abroad too), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our resident directors Daniel Peiró and Patricio O'Dwyer.

Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Sara Bell processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Sara can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4261.

Get Connected

Social Media

 

Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following:
Student Network
Student Blogs
Experiences Abroad Videos
For Students

 

Volunteer Opportunities

IFSA-Butler has prepared a list of places where you, as a visiting student, could volunteer to do social service. While this is purely optional, a commitment on your part is needed in order to arrange a placement. Volunteering does not earn academic credit and will not appear on your Butler University transcript.

Examples of places where students can be placed:

  • Pilotos Solidarios (medical assistance trips)
  • Pecohue Farm (urban organic farm)
  • Soup kitchen
  • Orphanage

Given the length of the program, these are the only volunteering opportunities available for the summer in Buenos Aires. If you would like to volunteer, you can sign up for a volunteer placement during orientation.

 
Institute for Study Abroad, Alliance For Global Education and MORE CULTURE. LESS SHOCK. are registered marks of the Institute for Study Abroad, Inc.