Off-Campus Studies

CIEE-Liberal Arts Program Study Abroad Program

Where:

http://www.ciee.org/study/programOverview.aspx?pID=80#2study

Founded in 1536, Argentina’s capital of Buenos Aires is often referred to as the Paris of Latin America. Within this immense, yet surprisingly navigable Latin American metropolis, elegant 19th Century buildings and cafe life offer glimpses of Europe and the Middle East. A vibrant port city, Buenos Aires is also the world’s leading Spanish language publishing center. With a population of 13 million, Buenos Aires offers its visitors the chance to experience the perpetual cultural intrigue that can only be found in a city of this size and prestige.

The Argentine branch of FLACSO hosts the CIEE Study Center in Buenos Aires. Founded in 1957 by UNESCO, the UN agency dedicated to education, culture, and science, FLACSO sponsors Latin America’s largest and most prestigious postgraduate teaching and research program in the social sciences. FLACSO-Argentina was established in 1974, and its faculty is associated with several local universities. Students take specially designed CIEE courses at FLACSO and may also enroll in courses at Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Argentina (UCA), and the Instituto Universitario Nacional de Arte (IUNA).

The Academics

http://www.ciee.org/study/programAcademics.aspx?pID=80#1program

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 Catolica 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.

This program is designed to help students with a strong command of the Spanish language and interest in social sciences and humanities gain an in-depth knowledge of Argentine and Spanish-speaking South American politics, economics, history, literature and society.

Special features of the program:

• 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

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, with class time 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 each university 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 mid-February to mid-December. Academic year students have a three-month break between semesters, and are responsible for housing and meals during that time. 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.

Eligibility

A 2.75 cumulative GPA is required. Students must have completed at least two, 300 level Spanish courses at Allegheny College prior to their participation in the program. Spanish language courses within the past year recommended as is coursework in Latin American studies.

Student Life

Housing, breakfast, and one additional meal per day are included in the program fee. Students live in private homes or in a student residencia. Homestay hosts come from various lifestyles, which can be matched with a student’s preferred living environment. The student residencia is double occupancy with the student living with a native Spanish speaker.

Participants have an email account at FLACSO, where there are numerous computers available for students. Students are encouraged to bring wireless-enabled laptops as there is wireless access at the CIEE office, a study lounge located there for participants, as well as library access at FLACSO. In addition, the CIEE program uses an Intranet to better facilitate the course registration process and improve communication between staff and students.

Costs

Students pay Allegheny tuition, room and board, as well as a study abroad fee of $300. Allegheny financial aid, except work/study, is applied to program costs. Allegheny students do not have to pay the program deposit requested by CIEE. Additional costs include airfare, personal expenses/spending money, visa costs, break travel and appropriate immunization costs.