Location

Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

Program Description

This 9-credit academic program is open to students of all majors. It is also open to non-JMU students.

Program participants will hone their knowledge of Spanish in a two-week intensive language instruction course while they solidify those skills in everyday life throughout the program. Students will take either SPAN 300, SPAN 320, or SPAN 400 during these first two weeks.

During the last 4 weeks of the program, students will take an Argentine literature course (that can count as SPAN 446 and/or as HUM 200); will give students an opportunity to read works by a variety of world famous writers while they also explore cafés and restaurants frequented by generations of Argentine artists. Students will also take a course in Argentine politics and society (that can count as either HIST 341, POSC 371, or SPAN 447). This course explores Argentina’s past and present with an eye toward its political and economic future. IBUS majors should note that this program fulfills the international experience requirement for the international business major at JMU.

All 3 courses can potentially count toward the SPAN major or minor and all 3 courses can count toward the Latin American, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies (LAXC) minor. International Affairs majors can often count 2 and sometimes can count all 3 courses toward their INTA major.

Location Description

This 9-credit study-abroad program is designed to introduce students to the dynamics of the fifth largest country in the Western Hemisphere – Argentina. The program is housed in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, one of the world’s most vibrant cities with a population of 15 million people. Group activities and excursions in Buenos Aires and beyond provide multiple opportunities to learn about Argentine society from a variety of angles.

In early July, the group will also travel to Misiones province in northeast Argentina to visit Iguazú Falls and other sights on Argentina's borders with Brazil and Paraguay where the Iguazú and Paraná Rivers meet. Right after this trip, students will have 5 days for personal travel before classes resume.

Director

Charles H. Blake | blakech@jmu.edu | Political Science

Kristen McCleary | mccleakl@jmu.edu | History

Accommodations

The residence hall is located in the heart of the Palermo district of Buenos Aires. Roughly 80% of the residents in this facility are university students from Latin America with the remaining students coming from various countries in Asia, Europe, and North America. Students live in double or triple rooms with private baths, a telephone for receiving calls, and cable TV. Pending availability, students can request a single room for an additional cost beyond the standard program fee. Meals are covered by a weekly meal allowance paid out from within the program budget. There is a kitchen and a sizable dining area in the residence facility.

Additional Items to Consider

This program is targeted towards sophomores through seniors, but first-year students who meet the language requirement have also enjoyed the JMU in Argentina program.

Students from a variety of majors have succeeded in the JMU in Argentina program. The common characteristic shared by successful students is a desire to improve their Spanish and their cross-cultural competencies by living in Buenos Aires for two months. 

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0

Prerequisite: SPAN 232 (or equivalent course such as SPAN 212) prior to the start of the program.