Study Abroad

Argentina

Spring & May Term 2010
UCEL

The deadline to submit applications for the 2010 Argentina program has passed, but contact the Office of International Education to see if any space remains in the program.  

The faculty director for the Spring 2010 Argentina program will be Professor Jim Palmieri, and the program will be based at Simpson's partner institution, the Universidad del Centro Educativo Latinoamericano (UCEL) in Rosario, Argentina.

Simpson College is excited to announce a new Spanish-oriented semester-long study abroad experience for students in Rosario, Argentina, a city of about 1 million people approximately 180 miles from Buenos Aires. Argentina is a very eclectic country with diverse climates, geographical features and foods. From the staggering beauty of the Iguazú Falls in the north, to the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier in the south, from the impressive Andes Mountains in the west to the lights of the charming capital city of Buenos Aires in the east, there is no shortage of intriguing places to explore.

All Simpson students, regardless of major, are welcome to participate in this new semester-long study abroad program. Given that Spanish is the language of communication in Argentina and the language of instruction at UCEL, participation in the program carries a prerequisite of SPAN 102: Spanish for Proficiency 2. Even this minimal language background will prime participants to make faster linguistic progress in country.

ArgentinaStudents on the program will take a daily 2-hour per morning "Spanish as a Foreign Language" class, with 2 of these days in Spanish lab sessions for 6 credits. In the afternoon, students will take two classes (3 credits each) out of three possible options on a MWF rotation. The content of the subject areas will vary from one academic year to the next and will be offered specifically for international students by UCEL professors. In addition, Professor Palmieri will offer "Comparative Economic Policies" (3 credits) which will be taught in English and will be open to both UCEL students as well as Simpson students who can take it as an elective. Professor Palmieri will also lead a 1-credit hour reflection course (required of all Simpson students in the program), which will allow the Simpson group to debrief and help each other better understand the cross-cultural experiences they are having. Simpson students will also be permitted to enroll in regularly offered classes at the University with the instructor's permission, as per their language level, academic interests, and curricular needs.

In addition to the 16-credit load students will take in the regular semester, Simpson students will also take a three-credit hour "May Term-like" travel course which will be held before the semester (starting in mid-February). With this addition, students should be able to complete 19 credit hours of coursework on the program.

Cost of the program
To participate in the program, students pay their regular Simpson tuition, room and board (as if they were living on campus) plus a program fee of $3,000. In addition, students are also responsible for covering their air transportation costs to and from Argentina which will likely range between $1,200 - $1,500. Because students will be living with host families, most meals will be included in the cost of the program.

Requirements
Students must take a one-credit hour orientation course during the fall semester preceding the semester in Argentina. Students must also have a grade point average of at least 2.25 both at the time of application for the program, and at the time of departure in order to be able to study abroad. And as mentioned previously, students must have successfully completed SPAN 102 Spanish for Proficiency 2.

To apply for admission to the program, the following items need to be submitted by Friday, Mar. 20, 2009 to the Office of International Education (located at 711 North D Street, a white house on the SW corner of D and Girard Streets, across from the BSC parking lot):

  • Two copies of the completed study abroad application form
  • A 1-2 page personal statement explaining why you're interested in this semester program and how it fits into your educational goals.
  • A copy of your current degree audit.
  • The names and contact information for two people who could serve as references (neither of whom are related to you and at least one should be a Simpson professor).
  • A copy of the photo page from your passport. (If you don't already have a passport or if your passport has expired, apply for one and make a photocopy of your completed passport application form with your social security number blacked out.)

When you drop off your application materials, you will be asked to sign up for a 15-minute interview with the Faculty Leader and the International Education Coordinator, which will take place during the week of Mar. 23.

Students will be notified of their status in the Argentina program by Monday, Mar. 30. For those students who have been accepted into the program, they will need to go to the Simpson College Business Office by Monday, Apr. 13, and make a $200 non-refundable deposit to secure their place in the program.  A second deposit payment of $1,300 will be due in late September or early October, 2009.

For more information, contact:
Jim Palmieri
Professor of Economics
 (515) 961-1801
jim.palmieri@simpson.edu

or

Marzia Corni-Benson
Acting International Education Coordinator
Simpson College
701 North C Street
Indianola, IA 50125 
(515) 961-1288        
marzia.corni-benson@simpson.edu

Last Updated: 7/21/09