What You’ll Study
TOTAL CREDITS - 14-21 credits per semester
The Intensive Language Program is designed for students who want to quickly advance their Spanish skills through study abroad in Buenos Aires. There are no cultural electives offered within this program; students complete a series of intensive Spanish language courses. There are several break periods of various lengths throughout the semester. Housing is included during these breaks. API excursions may be scheduled during these intra-semester breaks and students are also welcome to travel independently.
CREDIT BREAKDOWN
Forty-five U.S. contact hours generally equate to three semester credits, and the API transcript letter will recommend a total of 7 U.S. semester credits per intensive Spanish course. Students are cautioned, however, that home universities may award fewer credits for each Spanish course than the high number of contact hours may suggest.
- Fall Early Start Term
- Intensive Month 1
- 120 Argentine contact hours (108 U.S. contact hours; 7 U.S. semester credits)
- 5 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 4 weeks
- 3 Additional Months
- 240 Argentine contact hours (216 U.S. contact hours; 14 U.S. semester credits)
- 3 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 14 weeks
Students are advised that the early start option cannot accommodate beginning level Spanish students, though students at the beginning level are welcome to apply to the regular start fall option.
- Fall Regular Start Term
- 3 Months
- 240 Argentine contact hours (216 U.S. contact hours; 14 U.S. semester credits)
- 3 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 14 weeks
- Spring Term
- Intensive Month 1
- 120 Argentine contact hours (108 U.S. contact hours; 7 U.S. semester credits)
- 5 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 4 weeks)
- 2 Additional Months
- 120 Argentine contact hours (108 U.S. contact hours; 7 U.S. semester credits)
- 3 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 7 weeks
ACADEMIC AND CALENDAR YEAR STUDENTS
The Argentine academic calendar follows the calendar year: the first semester in Argentina is actually the equivalent of the spring semester in the U.S. Students who wish to study for two semesters in Argentina are encouraged to consider the Calendar Year option (spring/fall) rather than the traditional Academic Year option (fall/spring) to avoid having an extended break of 2-2.5 months between semesters. Housing is not included during the break between semesters within the Academic Year program.
Completing two semesters of the Intensive Language program is only suitable for students starting the program with a beginning level of Spanish. Students starting the first semester with intermediate Spanish skills are encouraged to select the Program of Argentine and Latin American Studies program for the spring term.
TRANSCRIPTS
API students receive a transcript from the Universidad de Belgrano upon completion of their program.
TEACHING OPPORTUNITY - "SHARE YOUR LANGUAGE"
API has collaborated with a government initiative, Share Your Language, to advance opportunities for youth in public schools through promoting bilingualism. By participating in this month-long program during your academic semester in Buenos Aires, you can also be a part of making a positive impact on the community.
API students will gain practical experience in the field of education by combining theoretical teaching methods, class observation, and a chance to act as a lead teacher in two language classes.
Speak with your resident director on site to learn how to apply.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The government of the city of Buenos Aires, in an effort to further promote international students coming to study in the city, is offering the possibility of completing an internship within a city office. A tutor will be assigned to interns to them during their professional experience and help them to build professional skills! This is an incredible chance to gain working experience abroad, and add an international professional experience to a participant's resume.
Here are some basic details about the internship option:
1) Participants will complete a professional internship for 24 hours/week for a total of two months. Participants will be assigned a tutor during the internship and will receive weekly support and guidance.
2) Participants will get to meet with government representatives in charge of public policy.
3) Participants may be selected to be involved in internships in one of the following city offices: External Commerce and Investment Promotion; Housing Institute; Strategic Management and Institutional Quality; Innovation and Open Government; Environmental Protection Agency; Health; Urban Development and Transport; Secretary of Housing and Social Integration; Sub-Secretary of Human Rights and Cultural Pluralism; General Direction of Family Development; among others.
4) The internship will carry a fee of 5000 pesos (approximately US$135) that would be paid directly by the intern to the city and is not included in the API program fee.
5) Participants must have advanced Spanish skills.
To apply, applicants will need to submit an online application which API will provide. They will also need to collect and submit all of the supplementary materials required, including their acceptance letter from the host university in Buenos Aires, a letter of recommendation, CV/resume in Spanish, letter of interest (minimum 200 words) in Spanish, and certification of your Spanish language skills.
For more information, contact the API Buenos Aires Program Coordinator.
