Sign up for the upcoming informational session on Wednesday, November 12, from 2:00pm to 2:45pm ET (4:00pm to 4:45pm ART) to learn more about the Boston College Semester Study Abroad Program!

Are you seeking authentic language and cultural immersion for your study abroad semester? Then Buenos Aires, Argentina, is your ideal destination. 

You will get to learn about exciting academic topics from a Latin American lens in the classroom.  Outside of the classroom, you will dive into the cultural offerings of Buenos Aires and get to know your Argentine homestay host.  We will also provide constant support before and during your semester.

ACADEMIC COURSEWORK

Learn about regional and global topics, while sharpening your cultural insights and language skills at an Argentine university.

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Engaging activities to help you become as immersed as possible in the local culture of Buenos Aires.

WEEKEND excursion

Trip to Iguazú Falls over a long weekend with a group of other international students to see one of the most awe-inspiring sites on Earth.

HOmestay

Comfortable, pre-screened, and well-located homestays with friendly and welcoming Argentine hosts.

Constant Support

24 hours a day, 7 days a week on-site support, plus online resources to maximize your adventures abroad.

part-time internship

Well-vetted, meaningful internships to complement your academic experience with part-time professional project work.

You will have the chance to learn about new academic topics through your coursework at an Argentine university, such as the Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) or at Universidad Torcuato di Tella (UTDT).

You can choose your classes to dive further into topics related to your studies at your home university, or you can explore new course themes that focus on Argentina and Latin America. Courses are offered both in English with other international students and in Spanish with local Argentine students.

We will help you to navigate the course selection process and to integrate into your Argentine university’s sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities so that you can maximize the immersion experience.

Get to know the hotspots and hidden gems of the city of Buenos Aires and the country of argentina!

 

Immersive Day Trips

ESTANCIA DAY TRIP

Experience a countryside adventure

Day trip to a local “estancia” (ranch) in order to have the complete “gaucho” experience – riding horses, eating a traditional “asado,” playing soccer, traditional board games, and enjoying the Argentine countryside.

 

Tigre Day Trip

Enjoy a day on the riverfront away from the city

A pleasant getaway from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, Tigre is a popular weekend destination for “porteños” (Buenos Aires residents). We will take a day trip to Tigre, go kayaking through the interconnected rivers and streams, and explore the artisanal market.

 

Local Cultural Activities

You will have regular activities in the city of Buenos Aires during your semester program, such as the following:

cooking class

Through cooking, you can get a hands-on feel for one of the staples of Argentine culture; the food! You will learn how to prepare typical specialties of Argentine cuisine, such as empanadas, in an authentic “porteña” kitchen.

tango lesson

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to learn Argentina’s iconic dance! You will have an introductory tango lesson at an authentic “milonga.”

palacio barolo sunset

The Palacio Barolo is a Dante-inspired landmark that hides a number of curiosities. We will discover the building’s secrets and also get an impressive view of the Avenida de Mayo and the National Congress building.

 
“The Puentes events were consistently just awesome. It felt really good to have Puentes and the other people in my program as a social safety net, and it’s through the events we did together that we ended up becoming really good friends. ”
— Griffin B., Princeton University
“The Puentes events were awesome and always a fun time to bond with people from the program.”
— Laila H., Boston College
 

Destination Guides and cultural guide for Argentina

Easy to reach, breathtaking destinations nearby to explore during your semester abroad

Get to know the incredible landscape and culture of Argentina through self-coordinated travel during your time abroad. As a Puentes participant, you have access to the exclusive Puentes Destination Guides, which offer carefully curated recommendations and insider tips for major destinations within Argentina and Uruguay.  Through the Puentes Culture Guide, you will also be able to learn about the country context, the local slang, cultural differences, and recommendations on how to meet locals and improve your Spanish.

Taller than Niagara Falls and four times as wide, Iguazú Falls offer an unforgettable experience and a spectacle of nature.

Upon seeing Iguazú’s sheer beauty, the United States First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed, “Poor Niagara!”

Ready to have your breath taken away? Iguazú Falls is one Argentina’s most stunning sights. It is a massive collection of waterfalls that makes Niagara look tiny. You will explore Iguazú through a four-day excursion with a group of other international students. If you only take one trip outside of BA, it should definitely be to Iguazú Falls.

  • Spend a full day in Iguazú National Park, peering over stunning viewpoints and taking a boat tour through the waterfalls.

  • Visit “Tres Fronteras” where Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil meet.

  • Take the overnight bus between Buenos Aires and Iguazú, and stay two nights in a hostel while in Puerto Iguazú.

 
 
 

You will be staying in a homestay with an Argentine host in Buenos Aires in a nice, residential neighborhood, with great public transportation access.

You will join your homestay hosts for dinner five nights a week from Sunday to Thursday, and your breakfast is included daily.

 

All homestays include a private bedroom, bedding, towels, weekly cleaning, and Wi-Fi access.

We carefully select homestay hosts that share our enthusiasm for cultural exchange. Hosts tend to be retired couples, a single adult, or a two-parent household with or without children. You will get to improve your Spanish through being fully immersed in Argentine culture!

“[My host parents] were absolutely amazing and went above and beyond to make sure I was cared for every step of the way during my sixth months. They helped me navigate buses, sewed my clothes when they ripped, helped my with my homework and so much more. They were central to my experience in BA.”
— Ashley S., Boston College
“If I were to tell you everything good I had to say about [my host mom], I think this form would crash. She is friendly, adventurous, convivial, welcoming, and hilarious. Dinners with her and my eventual Argentine roommate were absolutely one of the highlights of my entire experience. If anyone coming into Puentes has reservations about living in a homestay (as I did!) I would tell them to absolutely go for it - there’s no better way to really “live” in Argentina. (Or practice your Spanish, for that matter!)”
— Griffin B., Boston College

Before, during, and after your Puentes experience, our team is dedicated to making your adventure abroad as enjoyable and meaningful as possible.  

 

Pre-Departure Preparation

In advance of your departure for Argentina, we’ll give you access to the exclusive online Puentes Participant Portal with detailed pre-departure steps, information to help you prepare for your travels and life abroad, and a directory of fellow interns.  We will also accompany you throughout the process to secure your student visa. You will 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 transportation card, local snacks, and a few other essentials for your first days in the country.  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 fellow participants.

 

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 cultural programming, coffee chats, and through the internship oversight meetings.  Puentes is always available to help you work through any adjustments to your life abroad.

Lasting Impact

Your Puentes experience doesn’t end after your study abroad semester.  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 if you chose to do an internship.  We are committed to continuing to build bridges for your future.

 
“Puentes has been an excellent resource for Boston College students studying in Buenos Aires since 2016. Before the students go abroad, Puentes helps students secure a visa and will provide a virtual orientation so that students feel prepared. When the students arrive in Buenos Aires, Puentes successfully arranges student housing, provides excellent internship opportunities and helps students navigate the course selection process. We are very happy with [the team] and Puentes and the work they do for our students.”
— Patrick O’Donnell, Assistant Director, Office of Global Education, Boston College

An optional, part-time internship program to provide professional experience in an international setting as part of your semester abroad adventure.

Well-designed and well-structured internships are a valuable way develop additional cultural insights and professional Spanish language skills to help you succeed in future jobs in today’s global workforce.

Internship Methodology

thorough Placement Process

You will have a one-on-one advising call with the Puentes team to review your internship objectives and interests. Then, you will 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

The unpaid internship will be part-time with 10 to 15 hours a week during the semester, beginning two weeks after your semester classes start to allow for academic adjustment and focus. Your internship will end before your final exams. You will confirm the internship hours, weekdays, and dates directly with your internship supervisor once your placement is confirmed.

At least an intermediate Spanish level is recommended but not required.  The more Spanish proficiency you have, the more internship options will be available to you.

internship mentoring

You will have a dedicated Puentes Mentor from our team, who will oversee your internship experience. 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, including a pulse check call in your second week. You, your Puentes Mentor, and your internship supervisor will then have a mid-internship meeting to discuss learnings, challenges, successes, and remaining goals.  Your internship concludes with a closing meeting to reflect on your internship experience with your supervisor and Puentes Mentor.

The internship duration is 12 weeks to allow time for adaptation, integration, impact, and reflection.

 

Internship industries

Our internships are in many diverse and captivating industries. Internship opportunities range from educational and human rights nonprofits to startups and tech companies - with many other high-performing nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses in between.

 

intern roles

Our interns take on significant projects that are challenging yet doable and highly impactful for the company or organization. There are many different types of roles available for interns, and we work with your supervisor and you to design the right role and project for you. Some of the possible internships roles are the following:

Featured
Business Development

  • Research new client leads, conduct personalized outreach to leads, and help to create proposals for potential clients.

  • Conduct a market analysis for the company's expansion to a new country or market.

Communications & Media

  • Develop and implement the social media plan for one of the company's key products or services

  • Craft communication materials and identify contacts for outreach to key stakeholders.

Coordination & Service

Plan and coordinate a new social program to increase the organization's impact.

Develop a customer loyalty program and do outreach to potential partners that would provide value to the customers.

Assist with the implementation of programs while interacting with community members on-site in order to complement project-based work.

Fundraising

  • Research and identify possible grants available from international funding sources.

  • Prepare and write grant proposals in collaboration with the organization’s program directors.

Marketing & Writing

  • Develop the strategy and content for a marketing campaign, implement the campaign, and measure its success based on key indicators.

  • Conceptualize and create blog posts and website content to help increase awareness of the company's brand.

Research & Analysis

  • Research best practices in the market and prepare a report with recommendations for how to improve the product or program.

  • Analyze product or program data, organize learnings, and create dashboards and graphics to show results and findings.

“Not only did I have an amazing experience studying abroad in Buenos Aires, but I also had a remarkable opportunity to intern for the Argentine government. As a political science and international studies student, I was able to learn first-hand about an international government. I looked forward to going into work - which was only steps away from La Casa Rosada - and talking to my coworkers who were experts in their field (and also gave me sightseeing advice).”
— Angelica D., Political Science Intern, University of Miami

Called the “Paris of South America,” Buenos Aires is one of the most cosmopolitan cities of South America.

Life in Buenos Aires can be a stimulating international experience, while simultaneously seeming familiarly modern.

The cultural offerings are endless — take in great Latin American art, cheer along with the “hinchas” (fans) at a lively soccer game, dance to live music, and more. The city of Buenos Aires has a population of 3.5 million people, so it is the bustling hub of the country and offers a fast-paced backdrop to work and life. Buenos Aires is a great destination for people who are drawn to the hustle and bustle of big cities, who are comfortable navigating city life, and who are excited by metropolitan, apartment building living.

Congressional+Plaza.jpg
 
“I came to Argentina expecting to travel a bit if I could, get some work experience, and improve my Spanish a little. I left knowing the most intricate details of early Argentine history, the joys of passing “mate” around in the late afternoon in a park with your friends, and what it’s like to love someone in a different language. And all of that was because of Puentes. If you’re reading this, I really hope you come to Buenos Aires - you won’t regret it one bit.”
— Griffin B., Boston College
 

Are you a university looking for an on-site partner to conceptualize, organize, and implement your study abroad program? We can manage your study abroad programs in Buenos Aires, Argentina! We are an ideal partner to oversee boutique study abroad programs for universities that are looking for a more hands-on, personalized, cohort experience for their students.

 
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