INTERACTIVE Internship Placement

Referrals and interviews with companies and organizations aligned with your interests, skills, and Spanish level to confirm your ideal internship.

Professional SUPPORT

Designated Puentes Mentor to coach you during your internship, plus resources on how to maximize your professional growth.

Pre-Departure Preparation

Step-by-step guidance, pre-departure webinar, and access to the online Intern Portal with tips and information to help you prepare for your travels.

Network building

Puentes Connect networking event with all interns and internship supervisors, plus facilitated cohort building with peer interns.

Internship with Engaging Work

Well-vetted internship opportunities in diverse industries with meaningful, impactful work and close supervision, plus ongoing oversight by Puentes.

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Dynamic activities to help you become authentically immersed in local Argentine or Uruguayan culture.

Lasting Impact

Connections, support, and continued learning through the Puentes Alumni Network around the world.

thorough Placement Process

You will have a one-on-one advising call with the Puentes team to review your internship objectives and interests. Then all enrolled interns interview directly with possible companies and organizations, and based on your feedback and theirs, we confirm your internship placement.

Meaningful Work

You will be tackling project-based work, which is designed to directly contribute to the key objectives of the company or organization where you are interning, ensuring that you’ll gain real experience and know-how through substantial, mission-driven work. 

program format

During the in-person internship program, you will be part of a cohort of fellow interns in Buenos Aires or Montevideo who will participate together in cultural activities and professional events.

• Program duration: 8 weeks

• Internship hours: Working hours depend on your home university’s program requirements.

• Work modality: Internships may offer fully in-office or hybrid options; you will work at least 2 to 3 days per week in the company’s workspace. The commute time varies and may be up to 30 to 60 minutes by public transportation.

internship mentoring

You will have a dedicated Puentes Mentor from our team, who will oversee your internship experience. Before the program begins, your Puentes Mentor and you will review together your program objectives. Your internship begins with an initial meeting to set internship expectations and project goals with your internship supervisor and Puentes Mentor.  During the internship, you have ongoing guidance from your internship supervisor.  As well, you, your Puentes Mentor, and your internship supervisor will have a mid-internship meeting to discuss learnings, challenges, successes, and remaining goals.  Your internship will concludes with a closing meeting to reflect on your internship experience with your supervisor and Puentes Mentor.

Professional Networking Events

You will be invited to various professional events, including our annual “Puentes Connect” networking event, an evening where all interns and internship supervisors gather with food and beverages to make connections and grow our global Puentes community. Additionally, at the end of the program you will participate in a reflection seminar to share insights and receive recommendations for future professional endeavors.

Immersive Day Trip

We’ll take you on a day trip adventure to a nearby destination. From Buenos Aires, we’ll go to an “estancia” (ranch") to experience the vast Argentine countryside and gaucho hospitality - riding horses, eating an Argentine “asado” (barbecue), and experiencing traditional Argentine customs.

From Montevideo, you will visit the beautiful city of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO-World Heritage site. It is known for its iconic cobblestone historic quarter and colonial Portuguese and Spanish buildings. You can visit the Colonia del Sacramento Lighthouse, surrounded by the ruins of a convent, which offers panoramic views of the town.

Local Cultural Activities

Both Argentines and Uruguayans are enthusiastic and passionate dancers, so you can learn some of their dance moves in a tango class in Buenos Aires or a candombe drum class in Montevideo. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!

Other cultural events may include a lesson on how to do the traditional art form of “filetado” or a “fútbol” experience to learn about the region’s favorite sport of soccer and then play a match.

Mixer with local students

You will meet and mingle with local peers from Buenos Aires or Montevideo and get to know each other through facilitated group activities. This event is a great opportunity to share cultural insights and practice Spanish with locals, while also fostering bonds with fellow Puentes interns.

City Tour

Upon your arrival to Argentina or Uruguay, you’ll go on a tour of the major sights and neighborhoods of your new home city.  You’ll be oriented in no time!

Highlights of the Buenos Aires tour include the colorful “Caminito” of La Boca neighborhood, the elegant Teatro Colón opera house, and the historical Plaza de Mayo square. 

In Montevideo, you’ll see the Independence Plaza and Parliament Palace, stroll down the coastal promenade of La Rambla, and visit the charming neighborhoods of Carrasco and Pocitos.

Community Impact EXPERIENCE

You will have the chance to do a volunteer experience with a local nonprofit organization to make a positive contribution to Argentine or Uruguayan society, while more fully understanding the country’s socioeconomic context. You will work alongside the nonprofit organization staff and the local community members to carry out a project that will make a difference in the community around you.

Homestay

Fully immerse yourself in Argentine or Uruguayan culture and improve your Spanish by living with a host, often a retired couple, a single adult, or a two-parent household with or without children. You will have a private room, a private or shared bathroom, and access to shared living areas.  You are provided with breakfast daily and dinner five evenings a week.

Shared Apartment

Make friends with your apartment-mates, while also enjoying greater independence.  Located in safe and vibrant neighborhoods, you will have a private bedroom and share the common spaces of the apartment with other international interns. You will have kitchen space for cooking your own meals.

Pre-Departure Preparation

In advance of your departure for Argentina or Uruguay, we’ll give you access to the exclusive online Puentes Intern Portal with detailed pre-departure steps, information to help you prepare for your travels and life abroad, and a directory of fellow interns.  You will also participate in the Pre-Departure Webinar with the Puentes team to review program details and your pre-travel questions.

Airport Pickup and Orientation

Upon your arrival to your destination city, you are welcomed at the airport by Puentes staff and transported to your new home.  We’ll also provide you with a welcome packet with a local treats.  You will have a two-day Orientation seminar to tell you all about the city and the Puentes program, followed by a Welcome Dinner so you can get to know your intern cohort and the Puentes team. 

On-Site Support

The Puentes team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the ground, in person.  You also have regular, scheduled contact in person with the Puentes team through professional development meetings, the internship oversight meetings, and cultural programming.  Puentes is always available to help you work through any adjustments to your life abroad.

Lasting Impact

Your Puentes experience doesn’t end in Argentina or Uruguay.  After completing your Puentes adventure, you join the network of Puentes alumni.  You will continue to be supported through the mentorship of the Puentes team, and you’ll be eligible to receive letters of recommendation from Puentes for your future professional and academic endeavors.  We are committed to continuing to build bridges for your future.