Course pre-registration for Spring 2025 Barcelona programs has been rescheduled. All students will be informed of the new date soon.
Previously known as Latin American Societies & Cultures, this program is open to students of all language levels. The 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.
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!
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.
My final reflection after a year abroad in Argentina.
You live with a family or señora in a private homestay. These residences are centrally located throughout Buenos Aires. Twelve meals are provided per week, and each student will have their own room. This is a great option if you’d like to improve your language fluency and immerse yourself in the local culture.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Course name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN 364 - The Making of Patagonia: An Interdisciplinary Approach | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 3 |
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
Students in The Making of Patagonia course travel to the city of Bariloche in Patagonia, a region in southern Argentina, that is famous for its picturesque beauty in the form of deserts, steppes, and grasslands. During this multi-day, course-related trip, which is available at an additional cost, students study indigenous communities and cultures of the region.
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.
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).
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.
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...
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...
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The reality of studying abroad for 4 months is that you're bound to feel homesick at some point. Here is my experience!
Finding a place to climb, and finding community there.
Berlin, a city steeped in history and culture, offers a unique blend of the old and new. Here I chat about the 48-Hours I spent in Germany.
