Buenos Aires is also called the "Paris of the South", strongly influenced by European culture while retaining Latin charm. It is one of the most sophisticated cities in Latin America, renown for its nightlife and cultural activities. With its countless bars and cafes, bustling streets and nocturnal population, Buenos Aires is a place of infinite movement. It seems hard to find another city in Latin America with so much passion and excitement.

Whether sitting at an outdoor cafe watching the beautiful porteños, dancing Salsa until morning, playing soccer in the parks, or watching a world famous Tango show, cosmopolitan Buenos Aires provides entertainment for everyone.

The city is quite large (three million residents), however it is very walker-friendly and public transportation (metro and buses) offers fast and efficient movement between all of the traditional neighborhoods.

Despite the energy supplied by the porteños and the nightlife, Buenos Aires is a remarkably safe city at all hours and students will feel comfortable in our neighborhood. Standards of living are high and drinking the local tap water presents no problems.

South of Buenos Aires lie many beaches, including the famous resorts of Mar Del Plata (140 km from BA). 

Our Spanish language school partner is located in a UNESCO listed building in the heart of the city. It is situated only one block away from the pedestrian Florida Street, two blocks away from the historic Plaza de Mayo and only three blocks from Avenida de Mayo and the landmark Obelisk that has stations to all of the city's subway lines. The school is situated in a safe area close to restaurants, pedestrian shopping streets and the city's historic neighborhood.

The school facilities and support services include a variety of tools to help students in the Spanish language learning process :

• Large street entrance and welcome area
• 6 floors
• 24 naturally lit well equipped classrooms that can accommodate for more than 250 students
• Library and a lecture room
• Top floor student common room with sofas, computers, study area and laptop lounge
• Student snack areas
• Projection room for DVD/video screenings
• computers with Internet access
• Tutorial and seminar rooms
• Wireless Internet throughout the building
• Air-conditioning/central heating throughout the building
• 24-hour-emergency telephone assistance
  

Our Spanish language school partner is a member of SEA (Association of Language Centers in Argentina) and one of the only Spanish language schools in Latin America to follow the accredited Spanish curriculum model of the Cervantes Institute which adheres to the Common European Framework of Languages. The teaching method outlined by the is flexible and interactive. Class activities are eclectic and focus on communication, grammar and culture, all priorities when learning a new language. The school provides attention to your individual needs to ensure that you develop all linguistic skills – oral, listening, reading and writing. While they teach grammar in their Spanish classes, it is not an end in itself but an important tool that helps develop oral expression, comprehension, reading comprehension and written expression.

Placement Test : You will do a level test either online before departure or upon arrival and will be placed in a group which fits your level on the basis of that test.

Learning Materials : All study materials and Spanish books are included with each course.

 Details:

• 1 group lesson = 52.5 minutes / 1 individual lesson = 55 minutes
• Placement test online before departure or upon arrival
• Welcome package
  
• Orientation + City Map
  
• Certificate upon completion of course
• Start dates every Monday, all year round
• Minimum course duration: 1 week
• Max. 9 students per class (average 6)
  

Details:

• 20 lessons per week
• All levels available
• Start dates every Monday, all year round (except on holidays)
  
• Time Schedule: from 9 am to 1 pm or from 2 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Friday

The Super Intensive Spanish language course includes 30 Spanish group lessons enabling students to practice and consolidate what they have learned in the morning, during small group lessons in the afternoon.

Details:

• 30 lessons per week
• All levels available
• Start dates every Monday, all year round (except on holidays)
• Time Schedule: from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm, Monday to Friday

Details:

• 30 lessons per week : 20 group lessons + 10 private lessons
  
• All levels available
• Start dates every Monday, all year round (except on holidays)
• Group Time Schedule: from 9 am to 1 pm, Monday to Friday
• Private Time Schedule: from 2 pm to 4 pm, Monday to Friday

 Details:

• Minimum 2 private lessons per week / Maximum 30 private lessons per week
  
• Reduced price for packages of 10 or 20 lessons per week
  
• All levels available
• Start dates every Monday, all year round (except on holidays)
• Time Schedule: from 2 pm to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, depending on the number of lessons booked (morning lessons available on request)

Details :

• Min. 2 weeks Spanish Course prior to volunteering + min. 4 weeks of volunteering (max. 24 weeks)
  
• Volunteering start dates: Specific Dates (see below)
• Volunteer time commitment: 15 hours per week minimum (more hours available)
  
• Possibility to do the voluntary work either while studying Spanish or after. 
• Accommodation can be booked both during Spanish classes and voluntary work.
• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Levels: beginners to advanced (min. 2 weeks Spanish Standard Course)
• Projects have a max. of 2 hours commute from the school and may be in the capital or in the province.
• The volunteer orientation will be on the Friday after their Spanish course finishes at 2.30 pm (incl. detailed program overview, a visit itinerary, welcome package + chance to meet fellow volunteers). Students will be accompanied to their volunteering program the following Monday or Tuesday
  

The school offers 3 different types of voluntary work placement :

• Teaching English: Volunteers will have the opportunity to volunteer in various schools, educational facilities and centers helping educate youths and adults in Buenos Aires. Volunteers are needed to assist students with their English school work, conduct English lessons or assist teachers, and participate in various games and activities, promoting the importance of education in local communities.
• Volunteering with Underprivileged Youth: Volunteers are needed to offer their skills, knowledge, and time to underprivileged youth in Buenos Aires who, due to economic or familial reasons, are in an at-risk situation and are in need of help. It is time to change the current living situation of these children and give them a chance at creating a better future. Volunteers will be working closely with children to better their day-to-day lives and living environment.
• Volunteering in the Community: The Volunteering in the Community in Buenos Aires program focuses on working closely with locals who are impoverished and lack basic amenities and services that we may take for granted. Some of these locals have been forced to live on the street or live in areas that lack some basics, such as running water or paved roads. Many of these people do not have access to proper education, food or child care services and are unable to break the cycle of poverty.

Through formal instruction and dance floor practice, instructors use various forms of Tango music to teach students both traditional steps and the latest improvisational techniques.

One group class lasts 90 minutes and one individual class lasts 60 minutes. Each workshop is a combination of group and individual classes. Group Tango classes are available twice a week on Wednesday and Thursday, and individual classes can be booked any day except Sundays. Students can book as many lessons as they wish.

• 2 weeks Standard Course (20 lessons per week)
• 2 individual Tango classes
• 2 group Tango classes
• 1 Tango Show

• a full day Polo workshop which includes polo classes in the morning and afternoon, as well as a large asado (Argentine barbeque) for lunch, and horseback riding or watching a polo game in the evening.

• a full day Polo workshop + one night at the Estancia which includes the same features as the full day Polo workshop + one night of lodging and an extra dinner and breakfast.

Special Spanish + Polo Package at USD 600 including:

• 2 weeks Standard Course (20 lessons per week)
• 1 day at an Argentine Polo ranch
• Polo class / Horse ride
• Traditional Barbeque

Our partner school believes that regular practice outside the classroom is essential to develop a real understanding of the Spanish language.

That is why activities are offered every day during the week outside of class hours. Most activities are free or include just a small fee (entrance fees or meal costs).

Examples of activities offered : 

• Weekly Latin American cinema club at school
• Tango, folkloric and salsa lessons
  
• Monthly seminars
• Weekly staff and student dinners
• Weekly soccer games
• Day trips to Tigre
• Wine tasting seminars
• Local band concerts
• Day at an estancia (traditional Argentine ranch)
• Asados (Argentine barbecue)
• Tango show and classes
• Museum & exhibit visits
• Argentine cooking classes
• Weekly cultural city tours
• Music shows and theatre
• Horse-racing
• Bike tours
• City tours
  

Our partner school also organizes excursions each month which allow students to learn about a new culture, and put Spanish language skills to use in some of the most magnificent places in Argentina : 

• Iguazú Falls, Argentina
• Mendoza, Argentina
• Estancia, Argentina
• Colonia, Uruguay