Return to the search form Return to your search results

CIEE Buenos Aires Open Campus

Fast Facts

Sessions Offered:

Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Location:

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Credit:

Resident

Eligibility:

Overall 2.5 GPA; be in good standing with the University of Iowa

Application Due:

Fall: Mar. 1

Spring: Sept. 20

Program Cost:

Click the Application tab.

CIEE's Open Campus block model is unique among study abroad programs as it is designed for maximum flexibility and academic rigor. Students choose an academic track out of the seven possible options, however, all courses are open to all students. The CIEE Global Institute in Buenos Aires also offers opportunities for students to engage in an academic project which can be an internship, research, or a service-learning project for academic credit. The program is administered by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) on behalf of a consortium of which The University of Iowa is a member. Participants join a group of students from other U.S. colleges and universities.

Academic Program

Academic Tracks

  • Art and Architecture
  • Language, Literature, and Culture
  • Business
  • Communications, Journalism, and New Media
  • International Relations and Political Science
  • Global and Community Health
  • Stem and Society

Block System

UI students must choose at least two out of three academic blocks in which to participate. Each academic block is six weeks long. Students are required to take two courses per block. Each course is three semester hours for a total of six semester hours per block.

Academic Project

Students that participate in all three blocks are eligible to replace one course with an Academic Project which can be an internship, independent research or a service-learning project. Each Academic Project placement is based on the student’s academic track, project learning goals, qualifications, resume, and availability of placements.

Classes are with CIEE students only and all classes are in English.
CIEE Buenos Aires Open Campus Program website.

Cultural Activities

Student field trip

In a city as big as Buenos Aires and a country steeped in rich culture, students will have no problems learning about Argentina and the intriguing culture of los porteños. With day and overnight field trips students can sample traditional food, and learn about gaucho traditions, and folk dancing.

Program Dates

Fall semester: Mid-August to the beginning of November for two academic blocks; mid-August to mid-December for three academic blocks.

Spring semester: Beginning of January to the end of March for two academic blocks; beginning of January to mid-May for three academic blocks.

For More Information

Steps to Studying Abroad

  1. Before initiating an application with CIEE, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
  2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
  3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.


Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

CIEE Global Instittue Buenos Aires

The CIEE Global Institute Buenos Aires is ideally located within walking distance of shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and publich transportation in any direction. The Institute is in the Recoleta neighborhood which is situated directly northeast of Buenos Aires City Center and shares borders with the neighborhoods of Almagro, Palermo and Retiro.

Buenos Aires

Student on hiking field trip

Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, is often referred to as the “Paris of Latin America.” A vibrant port city, Buenos Aires is also the world’s leading Spanish language publishing hub. Travelers enjoy world-class museums and restaurants, exceptional architecture, and a rousing nightlife. With weather that is pleasantly mild, year-round, Buenos Aires is always ready for exploration by bike, public transportation, or on foot - one of the many reasons it was voted “the number-one city to visit” in Latin America.

Argentina

Ruled by Spain for 300 years before gaining independence in 1816, Argentina occupies most of South America south of Brazil and east of the Andes. Like most countries of immigrants, the population is diverse and, even though Catholicism is the most common religion, there are significant minority communities. Despite political and social unrest throughout much of the 20th century, Argentina’s 98% literacy rate is one of the highest in Latin America. The economic crisis circa December 2001 started an emigration wave, accompanied by a renewed sense, shared by many, of living in a time of critical transition, both economically and politically. In the last 8 years, sustained economic and industrial growth has propelled a tourist boom and most emigrates have returned.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Meal with homestay family

Homestays provide an excellent opportunity for cultural immersion for a complete Argentine cultural experience. Students will be placed with carefully screened Argentinean families. Hosts may be either nuclear families with young children, single professionals, young couples with no children, or older couples. Housing includes two meals per day: breakfast and either lunch or dinner. Students are responsible for the other meals. Host families and students will decide meals together.

Passport

US Citizens

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for a visa or leaving the United States.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Travel Arrangements

Participants will make their own travel arrangements to Buenos Aires, taking advantage of any frequent-flyer options and/or internet specials available to them. Students should book airfare to correspond with the arrival and departure dates given by CIEE.

Local Transportation

Buenos Aires has a sophisticated public transportation system. Student will use the metro systems, buses and/or walk to/and from class.

Eligibility

This program is open it UI students who fulfill the following requirements:

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing - It is the policy of the UI Study Abroad office that all students who study abroad must be in both good academic standing and good disciplinary standing at the time of their application. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance and will not be allowed to study abroad. Any student who must forfeit their acceptance and/or attendance on a study abroad program due to a probationary status is wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.

    Costs

    The most recent cost sheet for the program is included below. The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid and planning purposes. It includes fees charged on students’ U-Bill (CIEE program fee, Study Abroad Administrative Fee, and mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance), as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic. Please see the respective websites for further details. Contact your Study Abroad advisor with questions regarding the cost sheet.

    Cost Sheets

    PDFCost Sheet for CIEE Buenos Aires Open Campus, Blocks I & II, Spring 2024

    Financial Aid & Scholarships

    Most financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans) is applicable to study abroad programs. Please check the Study Abroad website for information on financial aid and how it may be applied to studying abroad. You are also encouraged to speak with someone at the Office of Student Financial Aid to explore financial aid options. Scholarship opportunities exist for study abroad participants. Please explore Study Abroad’s websites for UI Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities.

    CIEE has several scholarships available to University of Iowa students CIEE Scholarships specific to UI students.
    Please visit the CIEE Scholarship web site to find out more about their scholarships.

    How to Apply

    Interested students should make an appointment with the designated UI Study Abroad advisor to discuss the program and the application process. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 319-335-0353. During the appointment, the advisor will provide full application instructions. Note: Application materials will not be reviewed unless a student has already met with the advisor to discuss the program.

    The application process consists of the following steps:

    • Complete the UI Online Application for Study Abroad. Applicants will be charged a $50 non-refundable application fee. As part of the UI Online Application for Study Abroad, applicants will need to upload a copy of their passport picture page and a list of courses to take while abroad.

    • Please note that for study abroad programs through Fall 2022, students will not be charged the $50 application fee until travel is assured. If a student chooses to withdraw prior to the application fee being billed, it will not be charged.

    • Complete the CIEE Online Application.

    Application Deadline

    Fall: March 1

    Spring: September 20

    Acceptance & Confirmation Materials

    Coming Soon

    Preparation

    It is highly recommended that students review the following information:

    Health & Safety Planning

  • Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information
  • Health Abroad
  • Safety and Security Abroad
  • Visa

  • Argentine Consulate General in Chicago(for visa information)
  • Diversity and Identity Abroad

  • Race and Ethnicity Abroad
  • LGBTQ Identity Abroad
  • Students with Disabilities Abroad
  • First-Generationa and Non-Traditional Students Abroad
  • Orientation

    In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. In addition to orientations provided UI Study Abroad, CIEE may have other required pre-departure orientations and information. Please see below for more information.

    Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

    You are required to complete the International Programs online “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” course distributed through ICON prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

    Program-Specific Orientation

    This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to the University of Iowa including, but not limited to, billing, insurance, the Credit Approval Form (CAF), and transcripts. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on the type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

    CIEE Orientation

    Students start their study abroad experience before leaving the United States with CIEE’s Online Pre-departure Orientation. Students and the Resident staff meet online to discuss information about the academic program and the city that students will soon be living in. Resident staff also highlight issues that program alumni have said are important and they give students time to ask questions. In addition to this orientation, students will have mandatory orientation sessions conducted in Buenos Aires at the beginning of the program.