Buenos Aires
A Knox College Program in Argentina
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The Best of Buenos Aires
Known as the "Paris of South America" for its numerous museums, galleries, and designer boutiques, Buenos Aires is also an intellectual city with tremendous cultural offerings in theater and film festivals. In the late 19th century, prosperity and an influx of immigrants contributed to the transformation of Buenos Aires into a cosmopolitan capital of broad avenues, varied architectural styles, music from opera to tango, theaters and cafes, bustling downtown streets and quiet corners in the "barrios." Currently, Argentina faces the challenges and excitement of consolidating its democratic institutions and creating models for sustainable socioeconomic growth.
Academic Program
With discussion on The Dirty Wars, "los desaparecidos," and Trials of the New Democracy (1983), the Knox Program in Buenos Aires is unique in offering dramatic engagement with the history, politics, and economic justice issues of Argentina. Distinctive features of the program are its concentration on the southern cone and contacts with grassroots organizations for social change.
In cooperation with the University of Palermo in Buenos Aires, Knox offers a term of accredited academic study specially designed to emphasize the social sciences and language. Program offerings vary, but recent courses have included: Introduction to Anthropology, Popular Culture in Latin America, Argentine Society, Social Thought, and Culture, Latin American Art, History of 20th Century Latin America, Politics and Government in Latin America, Evolution of Argentine Society, Latin American Literature, Advanced Spanish Language, and Social Cinema of Argentina.
Courses are taught in Spanish by University of Palermo professors. All students take a language course (which includes two educational trips outside Buenos Aires, and several within the city) and pursue a combination of electives, mostly chosen from those offered by the program.
Educational Excursions
To be fully immersed in your new country, the Knox Program in Buenos Aires includes two educational field trips. From the beauty of the Iguazú Falls to the excitement of Patagonia, the excursions promise to be a highlight of your travel abroad experience. Several smaller trips within Buenos Aires give you the insider's perspective on the politics and organizations made up of local people working together to find solutions in their Argentine communities in which you'll be studying.
Life, Buenos Aires Style
With a population of 14 million, Argentina is a very large country, home to a variety of natural wonders ranging from the extensive Pampas to the Andes Mountains, to the wonder of Iguazú Falls.
Students often take advantage of the three-day weekends -- Knox courses take place only Monday through Thursday -- to travel the country independently. Soak up some sun in Mar del Plata, Argentina's premiere beach resort, bargain shop at a huge flea market in Tigre, or go horse-back riding in San Antonio de Areco. Buenos Aires' location allows quick travel to other parts of Argentina as well as the rest of Uruguay.
During your stay in Buenos Aires, you'll live with a host family -- whose unique perspective and lifestyle offer you a more personal engagement with the people, history, and culture of Buenos Aires. Each family is experienced in hosting American students and most have welcomed students from the Knox Program into their homes for many years.
Contact
Fernando Gomez, On-Site Program Director