Study Abroad

Spanish Language Programs

Summer Program in Argentina

Our Summer Program in Argentina offers students the opportunity to visit one of the most vital and diverse Latin American countries in the southern hemisphere and engage in language learning in a total immersion setting. The main objectives of the course are:

• To help students advance proficiency levels in writing, speaking, reading and listening comprehension in Spanish,
• To introduce students to the history, culture and people of one of the most important Spanish-speaking countries in the world,
• To help students experience life in a major foreign urban setting.

The program is offered in collaboration with GIC Argentina, a well-known provider of study abroad programs in the country. GIC provides language instructors and classrooms as well as 24/7 access to support staff, arrival orientation, optional cultural and social activities, and a student lounge for relaxation and interaction with other international students.

Students are accompanied by Dr. Blanca Rivera and Dr. Miriam Rivera-Hokanson of the Dept. of Languages and Ethnic Studies. Both BSU faculty members are native Spanish-speakers and have traveled to Argentina with previous summer and J-Term programs. Argentine culture and history is one of Dr. Rivera*s main research areas and she is very well acquainted with Buenos Aires and most of the country. Both faculty members will also be available 24/7 during the program.

Classes

GIC language classes meet four hours per day Monday to Friday. A culture class taught in English by Dr. Blanca Rivera will meet in the student residence lounge or a city site 1 * hours per day, Mondays through Thursdays.  A grammar review and tutoring class taught by Dr. Miriam Rivera-Hokanson will meet in the student residence or at GIC 1 hour per day, Mondays through Thursdays. The week before finals, students will divide into two groups (Levels I and II/Levels III and IV) and meet with one of the faculty members to prepare students for the oral and grammar parts of the final exam.

Credits

Students will earn a total of 7 credits as follows:

• 3 credits from GIC to be transferred into their credit load at BSU or their home institution
• 4 credits from BSU
  

BSU equivalency for transferred credits will be determined according to the result of placement tests and level completed at GIC. Credits from BSU will be recorded as SPAN 3300: Argentina Culture/History and SPAN 3300: Grammar and Tutoring. Grades will be assigned separately by both GIC and BSU instructors.

Applying to the Program

Applications to the Summer Program in Buenos Aires are available at the International Program Center in Deputy Hall 103 (218-755-4096) or through Professors Rivera and Rivera-Hokanson. The program is limited to 17 students and participants must be at least 18 years old upon departure. Prospective participants beyond the limit will be added to a waiting list kept by the International Program Center.

Program Fees Included

The program fee is $1887.00.  In addition, students pay tuition/fees for 4 additional BSU credits.  The program fee does not include airfare, meals, transportationto/from locatiosn visited for the culture class, personal expesnes (laundry, entertainment, etc.)

Students may opt to participate in weekend trips or excursions offered by GIC at an additional cost if no other official activities are scheduled. Some of these optional offerings include trips to Mendoza (wine country), and the Tigre River Delta and islands. Prices for these additional activities are not available at this time.

Space Reservation Fee and Payment Schedule

A non-refundable space reservation and administrative fee of $350 is due 1 February 2010. This fee includes a dorm fee of $300 which will be sent to GIC in Argentina to reserve dorm space. The full amount will be credited to your program expenses. A second payment of $500 is due 31 March 2010. All remaining fees must be paid before the start of the program.

Financial Aid

Financial aid will be distributed according to university guidelines for summer financial aid. Students expecting to use financial aid for the program are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid Office at BSU as soon as possible in order to determine eligibility. Since the cost of airfare is higher the closer you get to departure time and summer financial aid may not be available for a timely purchase, students who have remaining financial aid eligibility for the academic year may use remaining funds to purchase airfare. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Requirements

Academic requirements are as follows:

• Meet minimum grade requirements for transfer course
• Meet minimum grade requirement for SPAN 3300
• Attend pre-trip seminars
• Complete all assigned readings for pre-trip seminars
• Maintain a trip journal for the duration of the summer program
• Final exams for both SPAN 3300 classes
  

Argentine authorities require a passport to be valid for at least three months after the date of arrival. U.S. citizens are not required to hold a visa for travel to Argentina unless the visitor plans to remain over 90 days.

Safety

Buenos Aires is a vibrant Latin American capital and, as such, it offers unequal access to cultural, social, and historical venues. It also enjoys a very active political life with, sometimes, almost daily demonstrations and presents the security challenges concerning petty crime that any major city offers. Participants will be carefully briefed regarding personal safety issues during the pre-trip seminars and will be constantly reminded of safety measures they should always take while in the city and when participating in trips outside Buenos Aires. They will be reminded of discipline issues related to the use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs, and the consequences of violating BSU guidelines or the law in a foreign country.  GIC also offers a safety information session upon arrival to Buenos Aires.

Besides keeping students informed of safety/legal issues, the following security measures will be taken: 1) BSU faculty members will have use of a cell phone and can be reached 24/7; 2) all students will have use of a cell phone; 3) sign out/in sheets will be posted at the Student Residence in order to keep track of whereabouts in case of an emergency; 4) if a participant is injured or becomes sick and needs to return to the U.S., the Program Director will consult with LaMae Ritchie or a designated University Administrator to decide whether the faculty member needs to accompany the participant in the return trip; and 5) pre-trip meetings will include information sessions on personal safety and staying healthy while traveling.

As an additional security measure, Bemidji State registers the group with the American Embassy in Buenos Aires to inform them of arrival and departure dates. Participants will be asked to also register with the Embassy for travel warnings and alerts issued during their trip. Individuals can register at: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui. In 2008, the United States Department of State*s Bureau of Consular Affairs launched a public affairs campaign targeting students studying abroad. We recommend participants visit the comprehensive website (www.studentsabroad.state.gov) sponsored by the Bureau which offers a one-stop reference site for students abroad.

Personal Health Information

As part of the application to the program, participants are asked to undergo a physical through their personal physician or BSU Health Services and provide a brief medical history. The Program director will have a copy of the medical history of each participant in case it is needed for medical reasons while in Argentina. All information is strictly confidential and will be destroyed upon end of the program.

Vaccines

Vaccines for Hepatitis A and B are strongly recommended. Hepatitis A requires two doses. The second dose is given no sooner than six months after the first dose. So you must plan ahead for this vaccine.

Since program participants will be visiting Iguazú Falls, Yellow Fever vaccine is required by GIC. The Yellow Fever vaccine can be obtained free in Buenos Aires but it has to be administered at least 2 weeks before possible exposure. GIC accompanies students wishing to get the free vaccine to designated health centers in Buenos Aires.

Because of the presence of Malaria in the Iguazú area, participants are urged to take with them pills for Malaria prevention. Because of side effects, many prefer to use insect repellants during their visit to the Falls. Make sure you are not allergic to any of the components of the Malaria treatment.

N1H1 Health Issues

Due to the H1N1 pandemic, we have specific recommendations for program participants. University health personnel has informed us that the preventive effects of the flu shot only last for a period of 3 months or so and that by the time we depart for Argentina, the vaccine may not be readily available. We recommend that, if program participants are unable to get the vaccine at least two weeks before departure, they make arrangements to obtain a personal antiviral drug supply to use in case they develop symptoms of the virus in Argentina. Specific details regarding availability of the vaccine and antiviral medication will be offered in May. Participants are also asked to pack a personal supply of hand sanitizer.

BSU Responsibility

BSU responsibilities begin upon arrival of program participant to Buenos Aires and ends upon official day of departure from Buenos Aires.

Faculty Contact Information

Dr. Blanca Rivera
311 Hagg-Sauer Hall
(218) 755-3354
Contact

Dr. Miriam Rivera-Hokanson
317 Hagg-Sauer Hall
(218) 755-2810
Contact

Application form