Health, Sport, & Wellbeing in Buenos Aires & Patagonia (UofM Students)

This program explores neighborhood sports groups to professional sports and how physical activity fosters community resilience and national identity. This program opens doors to Argentine sports clubs, field experience opportunities, and community health organizations in Buenos Aires and Patagonia. As part of the Patagonia Outdoor Adventure course, you will spend 9 days in El Calafate and El Chaltén exploring the nature-integrated lifestyle through outdoor activities compared to the high-energy culture of Buenos Aires. Activities in Patagonia could include hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Founded by immigrants along the shores of the Rio de la Plata, Buenos Aires built its identity on Spanish, Italian, and French influences, which are reflected in the grand boulevards, expansive parks, and magnificent architecture throughout the city. While exploring the city's diverse and eclectic neighborhoods, you can visit the small colored houses of La Boca and experience the popular tango that lives in San Telmo streets.

The program is offered jointly by the Fundación José Ortega y Gasset and the Learning Abroad Center. Located in central Buenos Aires, the Fundación is conveniently located near shops, restaurants, public transportation, and sites of cultural and historic interest, making it easy for you to take in everything this dynamic city has to offer. Experienced and dedicated faculty bring a wealth of expertise and local perspectives into the classroom. The program provides several guided excursions meant to enhance your knowledge of Buenos Aires and surrounding communities.

Note: Shared housing availability will depend on student enrollment and preferences. You can indicate preference for shared housing (homestay and apartment-hotel) in the Housing Preference Form.

Homestay

You can choose to live with a local host family, which offers you a unique opportunity to connect with the culture, practice your Spanish, and observe daily life in Argentina.

Most families have hosted students in the past and are committed to helping ease your transition into city life. Host family homes are scattered throughout the city, and typical commute times range from 30–60 minutes, including some combination of public transportation (bus, subway) and walking.

As in the US, families in Argentina are diverse and vary greatly in terms of the composition and ages of family members. In your application, you can express some basic preferences about the type of host family you would like. About half of families are able to accommodate two or more students, so you may be placed with another student from the program.

In the homestay option, breakfast and dinner will be provided by your family each day as part of the program. You will be responsible for providing your own lunch. There are several inexpensive places to eat near the classroom building.

Apartment-Hotel

Live in shared apartment-hotel style housing. Apartments are furnished, include cooking facilities, and are conveniently located within a short walking distance of the classroom building. Breakfast is included at the apartments each day. You will be responsible for providing lunches and dinners throughout the program. There is a staffed front desk.

In the apartment-hotel option, breakfast is included each day. You are responsible for providing lunch and dinner.

Several planned excursions are included in the cost of the program. Excursions are subject to change each term. Previous destinations have included:

Buenos Aires city tour

3-hour guided tour of Buenos Aires 

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Cross the Rio de la Plata by ferry and explore this historic, picturesque Portuguese town. The excursion includes the roundtrip ferry, lunch, a guided city tour, and a cultural scavenger hunt. 

Patagonia

This is the premier wilderness area of Argentina. You will view glaciers, icebergs, mountains, rivers, and lakes. All students enroll in the Patagonia Outdoor Adventure course, which includes 9 days in El Calafate and El Chaltén exploring the nature-integrated lifestyle through outdoor activities. Activities in Patagonia could include hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. This study tour includes academic components that are tied to the semester courses you take in Buenos Aires. Excursions, guest lectures, walking tours, and site visits to Los Glaciares National Park are included.

Due to the active nature of our curriculum, and the unique geographical terrain of Argentina, specifically Patagonia, this program is categorized as moderately to intensely active. Expect consistent, moderate-to-high energy expenditure throughout the duration of the course. This could include hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, handball, and field hockey.

We understand that every body is different, and we are committed to supporting our students. While the core nature of this program is physical, we will make every effort to provide alternate activities where possible. A note on alternatives: this is a physical education course, all alternate activities will still require a level of physical activity.

If you have concerns about your ability to participate in these activities, reach out to the study abroad program adviser early in the application process. We are here to have an open, supportive conversation about how to best facilitate your study abroad journey.

Ground transportation from the Ministro Pistarini International Airport (airport code: EZE) into Buenos Aires is provided by our partner organization and the cost is included in the program fee. The transportation schedule aligns with the group flight arrival time. Our partner organization comes to the airport once to collect everyone.

You can either book a ticket on the coordinated group flight, or book a flight independently that arrives prior to the group flight's arrival. If you arrive late and miss the group, you may be responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation into the city.

For immigration purposes, you should purchase a round-trip ticket, since you must be able to show your entry and exit dates from Argentina.

• Deepen cross-cultural understanding through interaction with local communities, host families, and in classes
• Gain a new perspective on Argentina and Latin America through academic disciplines
• Increase independence and self-reliance through learning to navigate a new environment

• Spring 2027

Fee Reduction

You are eligible for a $3,000 fee reduction to the billed program fee when you serve as a program evaluator. All Spring 2027 students are eligible. Recipients of the fee reduction are also eligible for LAC Scholarships.

As a Program Evaluator, you will submit a brief feedback form mid-program, complete the post program evaluation, and submit a few photos.

• Course Enrollment Form
• Physical Activity Acknowledgement
• Internship application (Required only for internship applicants)
• Cover Letter & Resume (Required only for internship applicants)

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

After your application checklist is complete, your application is reviewed by our program team. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist, which you will complete to confirm your participation in the program. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log into the online application system and submit a Cancel Request.

Spring 2025

• Katrina M.—Psychology major, University Honors Program, homestay