This program is designed for pre-medical and medical students looking to gain experience in healthcare and learn about the issues the Argentine medical system is facing. Placements are available in both a large public hospital and a community health center.  At the hospital, participants will join a group of Argentine residents, observe examinations, and assist with other tasks in the hospital.  Interns with the health care center, which focuses on bringing treatment and disease prevention to impoverished communities, will assist in administrative tasks as well as help local doctors with community involvement workshops, prevention campaigns and patient care. 

We also seeking volunteers to work in a center for children affected by HIV.  This placement is ideal for students of public health or medicine with a strong interest in HIV education and prevention.

Here one of our previous interns describes her experience:

"I generally worked from about 8/8:30am to 12/12:30 Mon-Fri.  The first two weeks I was with Dr. Di Meglio.  She was an obstetrician.  I helped to check-over patients by measuring women’s bellies, finding the baby’s heart rate, checking for edema and determining what side of the stomach the baby was on and what position it was in.  She was the most “hands-on” doctor and had me do the most and explained the most about different diseases that affected women and their babies during pregnancy.

The next two weeks I was with Dr. Romero, a pediatrician for babies up to about 1 month.  She had me measure babies’ heads and body length and weigh them.  Dr. Romero had quite a few more patients and moved them in and out quite a bit more quickly than Dr. Di Meglio and so didn’t really explain a lot-though she did point out things like the importance of the soft spot on a baby’s head and the signs of a premature baby.

The next 2 weeks I was in surgery. I saw quite a few surgeries such as a man getting a tumor removed from his throat, a woman getting her uterus removed because it had a tumor and a man get a tumor taken off the top of head. Obviously I didn’t do anything during surgeries besides watch!

The next 2 weeks I was in la guardia (the ER, sort-of, it’s really more of a clinic). I observed different doctors checked over adults with colds, pneumonia, the flu, broken bones, etc. I mainly observed in la guardia.

The next week I was with Dr. Sanchez, a neonatologist who examines babies born in the last 3 days. She also teaches mothers how to breastfeed and how to dress their babies. Dr. Sanchez explained about different diseases that often affect babies and also about the vaccinations required in Argentina. I helped weigh some babies and mainly observed."

    - Megan F. Medical Intern

Interns in this program must have a high-intermediate level of Spanish knowledge.

ELI works with several law firms in Buenos Aires to create internships for law students to gain experience working in Buenos Aires and gain insight into the Argentine legal system. The firms specialize in litigation, business consulting, environmental law, corporate law, intellectual property, international tax, commercial law, and dispute resolution. Interns conduct research, translation projects, and document preparation.

Here one of our previous interns describes her experience:

"When asked about something directly, the attorneys would be very willing to answer questions and help out. When we went to the courts, a usually busy attorney sat with us and explained the mechanics of the legal system.  It was awesome, but you have to really be persistent to get certain experiences.  This is very much an internship for a self starter who speaks fluent or at least advanced Spanish."

   - Elena T. 2009 Legal Intern

Interns in this program must have an advanced level of Spanish knowledge, and commit to at least 8 weeks.

 Interns and volunteers are always needed to teach English and other subjects to adults and children throughout Buenos Aires.  Interns that would like to gain experience in the classroom can shadow and assist an English teacher in a private school.  Interns will gain experience in lesson planning and classroom management while teaching several grade levels per day. 

Volunteers are needed to teach English and tutor other subjects such as math, science, computer skills, art and music at community centers scattered throughout the city's lower-income neighborhoods.  Volunteers interested in working with adults are also invited to help with continuing education workshops catering to low-income adults who have not completed their secondary education.  

For those interested in a career in teaching abroad, consider our TEFL certification course.  

Working at the Buenos Aires Zoo provides participants with a chance to learn how a large, urban zoo in Latin America operates.  Located in the heart of the city near the famous parks of Palermo, the zoo is home to over 2,500 different animals.  Volunteers and interns will work alongside zoologists and caretakers to help clean habitats, assist with outreach and education, and collaborate in efforts to promote the conservation and protection of rare and endangered species.  This project can serve as an internship for students of a related field or it can be a volunteer project for those interested in physical labor and wildlife.

This program requires a $200 supplement for each month beyond the first four weeks.

100 years ago Argentina was one of the wealthiest countries in the world. During the 20th century, a series of economic and political crises culminated in full blown depression during 2001 and 2002. During the depression, many middle class families fell into poverty. ELI partners with organizations, orphanages and childcare centers in Buenos Aires devoted to assisting homeless and impoverished families by giving them the tools they need to escape poverty and build better lives 

 ELI also partners with organizations in Buenos Aires devoted to providing at-risk youth with opportunities for educational and social advancement. Volunteers assist with a wide-range of activities including after-school tutoring, teaching English, providing childcare for kids of working mothers, lead recreational activities, and just giving the children the much need attention they need to thrive.

Volunteers with an interest in HIV/AIDS are invited to volunteer at a center for children affected by the disease, both directly and indirectly.  Many of the children, aged 2-16, are living with the disease or have lost parents as a result of HIV/AIDS.

Volunteers for this program do not have to speak Spanish but must be comfortable in an entirely Spanish speaking environment.  Participants must commit to at least a 4-week program.

Interns can work in one of a variety of web and graphic design firms in Buenos Aires. We have placements with design studios focusing on large name brands, individual clients, advertising campaigns and social media.  Use your skills to assist a company in the development of logos, brochures, web sites, creative content, programming and marketing.  Interns will work alongside professionals in the field on both ongoing and new projects.

Interns in this program must have a high-intermediate level of Spanish knowledge, some graphic or web design experience and commit to at least 8 weeks.

The economic crisis of 2001-2002 plunged many Argentinean families into poverty, making it impossible for parents to provide for their children. According to some Argentine organizations, approximately 100 people in Argentina die every day due to malnourishment or hunger related diseases. Around 12% of the population lives in absolute poverty.  Thousands of people in Buenos Aires depend on soup kitchens as a daily source of food. ELI partners with local soup kitchens in the neighborhood of La Boca where extra hands are always welcome to prepare and serve lunch to the hundreds of families who eat there every day. Volunteers help with preparing food, setting tables, and cleaning up. This is a great opportunity to learn about how community centers function and also to understand the challenges many Argentines face on a daily basis while helping the neighborhood in a meaningful way.

Volunteers for this program do not have to speak Spanish but must be comfortable in an entirely Spanish speaking environment.  Participants must commit to at least a 4-week program.

Interns with an interest in political and human rights issues have the opportunity to work with NGOs devoted to promoting democratic processes, citizen participation, and human rights. The organizations collaborate with governmental, international, and non-governmental organizations to educate Argentineans and promote civic engagement. Interns will have the opportunity to get involved in program development, project coordination, communication, and event planning.

Here one of our previous interns describes her experience:

"I did background research to see what political and social problems were occurring in certain provinces, I tabulated and synthesized data from students after they had participated in financial education programs, and I researched racism in Africa for a background Model UN paper. Also everyone spoke Spanish in the office, and they were patient with me when I could not articulate what I wanted to say. Most of the research I did was in Spanish, and I definitely feel my Spanish improved due to this internship.This internship was great and I recommend it to anyone who wants exposure to NGO work in another country."

    - Leah S. 2008

Interns in this program must have a high-intermediate level of Spanish knowledge, and commit to at least 8 weeks.

Interns can work with a civil association representing over 50 small and medium-sized businesses in Argentina. The association serves as a support network for the companies and aims to expand exporting opportunities through international market research. Interns with this program assist with research, preparing marketing materials, and may have the opportunity to work directly with a company represented by the association. Partner companies of the association represent fields as diverse as consulting, software, fashion design, art exports, retail, engineering, tourism, telecommunications, and medical equipment.  We also partner with numerous other consulting companies, start-ups and established businesses seeking interns to work in their business development, marketing and retail departments.

Here one of our previous interns describes her experience:

“Overall, it was a great experience and I would highly recommend this internship to anyone interested in international business. The intern should have an intermediate-high level of Spanish. All work is explained and completed in Spanish. The duties of the intern can range from completing misiones comerciales, organization of clients’ information, market research for specific clients, to meeting with and corresponding with specific clients. I worked on a little bit of everything, but my main focus was on market research."

   -Julie G. 

Interns in this program must have an intermediate level of Spanish knowledge.

Interns interested in pursuing a career in journalism or communications can gain experience at one of several publications in Buenos Aires. Possibilities include working at a monthly magazine focusing on urban pop culture in Buenos Aires, daily newspapers, other publications or in the communications departments of both non-profit and for profit companies. Interns assist with researching, drafting stories, creating web content, working with social media and helping with events. It is important for participants in this program to be motivated and creative self-starters. This is a great opportunity to work on building a portfolio.  

Interns in the journalism program must have an advanced level of Spanish knowledge, a background in journalism, at least two previously printed articles, and must commit to at least 12 weeks.  We can be more flexible with communications placements.