St. John’s University’s Summer Program in Argentina is a unique
and exciting opportunity for our students to improve their Spanish
as you learn about the culture of South America’s second largest
country. And you can earn up to six credits! The land of Sarmiento,
Borges, Cortazar and the tango, Argentina, one of the leading
countries of MERCOSUR, is a great place to study. The program takes
place in Buenos Aires and in Corrientes, thus enabling the
participants to experience life in the capital city as well as in
one of its splendid provinces.
Buenos Aires, one of the most beautiful cities in the world,
is an elegant and dynamic cosmopolitan city of 11 million
inhabitants, which combines modern construction with charming, old,
picturesque neighborhoods. It offers a vast array of cultural
activities, including good theater, opera, movie houses, museums,
and some of the finest universities and bookstores in Latin
America. The classes are taught at the Universidad de Buenos
Aires Instituto de Literatura Iberoamericana and at the Universidad
de la Cuenca del Plata, in Corrientes. Students visit
historical places, art museums, cultural exhibits, the theatre,
Teatro Colon, connecting their classes on literature and culture,
to the real world.
For over ten years St. John's students have been traveling to
Argentina in a summer study abroad program. This program, led
by Dr. Alina Camacho-Gingerich, Professor of Languages and
Literatures and Chair of the Committee on Latin American and
Caribbean Studies (CLACS), is a unique and exciting
experience. This past summer another group of students
participated in this successful multidisciplinary program.
This summer, Dr. Rafael Javier, Professor of Psychology, who had
previously collaborated in this program, taught a course in
Cross-Cultural Psychology. This combination of perspectives, gave
Saint John’s students a more profound look at the country, its
people and its culture.
In addition to studying Borges, Cortázar, Bio Cazares and
other major literary figures of Argentina, as well as its history
and politics, the students had a firsthand experience in the study
and implementation of psychology in Argentina. They were able to
witness the people in the trenches and the professionals
responsible for the care of these individuals, a number of
innovated programs run or supported by the most important hospital
in Argentina, “Hospital Dra. C. Tobar- Garcia.” They were also able
to visit a program for autistic children, and the “Cuidar Cuidando”
program, where they witnessed how the experience of working with
animals changed these children, by working as zoo keepers. The
students also visited the JAKAIRÁ program, which offers the
opportunity for pregnant adolescents, to continue their education
and work prospect.
Below are some wonderful personal statements from the students that
participated in the program:
“To me it’s like fiction, that Buenos Aires was ever
founded. I judge her to be as eternal as eternal as the sea and the
wind.”
Jorge Luis Borges (“Fervor de Buenos Aires”, 1923).
I understand
when Borges expresses his deep bond with Argentina's capital,
Buenos Aires, his hometown. Recently during my study abroad
program, I visited the South American nation with impressive
architecture and culture.
Buenos Aires enchants and enraptures. The metropolis can easily be
a source of inspiration for both the spirit and the intellect.
Living with their culture -I say this by magnetism towards its
people, architecture and art can be a mystical experience as the
same feel of Borges, author of “Ficciones”.
The Argentina capital can change lives. I had the privilege
of experiencing the aesthetic to explore language and expressive
resources that encases the entire exhibition as presented by Jorge
Luis Borges Foundation and the sample Cosmopolis. Borges and Buenos
Aires. Both exhibitions delve deeper into the universe of the
author of "Ficciones". “Ficciones” is part of the extensive
and important literature of Argentine as "Facundo" by Domingo F.
Sarmiento, “Martin Fierro” by Jose Hernandez, "Cuentos
Completos" by Julio Cortazar, among others. The analysis of
these works was conducted by the program director, Dr. Alina
Camacho-Gingerich, Chair for Committee on Latin American and
Caribbean Studies, who discussed every detail about the books of
different authors. That's why students can better understand the
work of these authors in their own country.
Argentina is the world’s eighth-largest country. To the north, it
is bordered by Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay. The Andes
run along Argentina’s western border with Chile, where the
continent’s highest peaks stand. Buenos Aires is a rich
combination of South American energy and European sophistication.
It requires at least several days to explore. For example, in
addition to seeing the city’s impressive museums, take time to
wander its grand plazas and boulevards, to stroll along its
fashionable waterfront, and to engage in its dynamic culture and
nightlife. Relax and enjoy a varied menu of local and
international cuisine, a visit to Recoleta neighborhood (often
compared to Paris), a show on Corrientes Avenue or in a traditional
tango salon, and a walk through San Telmo, are the experiences that
will connect you to the city’s soul.
To better understand the history, politics and society of
Argentina, the program includes classes with historian and
professor Noe Jitrik at the Instituto de Literatura
Hispanoamericana, part of the University of Buenos Aires. Jitrik is
the author of many works of literary criticism and more than a
dozen books of fiction and poetry. He has taught at universities in
Argentina, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, France, and the United
States.
After exploring Buenos Aires, we visited the Pampas,
Corrientes, and Iguazu Falls. The heartland of the country is the
Pampas, an enormous, fertile plain where the legendary gaucho
(Pampas cowboy) roams. Corrientes is a province in northeast
Argentina, in the Mesopotamia region. Culture in the region has
been primarily informed and influenced by its European and Guarani
roots, an example of this “chamamé” music and dance. Also, the
program includes seminars at the Universidad de la Cuenca del
Plata, and visits to mental health centers as “Crecer con
todos”, as part of psychology course by Dr. Rafael A. Javier,
professor of Psychology at St. John’s University.
One of the magical
and mystical experiences was a visit to Iguazu Falls one of the New
Seven Wonders of Nature. The spectacular Iguazu Falls are created
by the merger of the Iguazu and Parana rivers at border of
Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It’s wonderful that this
ecological blockbuster is few hours from the cosmopolitan city of
Buenos Aires. Tourist drop into this humid corner of Misiones
province on a day trip. The fascinating jungle zone has more to
offer that waterfalls, you can see birds like various species of
parrot and toucans, butterflies of many different colors, and
coatis or snookum bears, members of the raccoon
family.
- Julio Paredes
While in Argentina I was enrolled in the Cross-Cultural
Psychology course. I would have never imagined being able to
meet professionals in the field of psychology in Argentina and
witness first-hand the programs they have developed to help their
fellow Argentineans. I’ve taken psychology courses on the
Queens campus but nothing compares to the first hand experience I
received while in Argentina.
– Kristina Hoffman
I have always wanted to know the land of the tango, of Gardel, of
famous soccer, renowned authors, singers, politicians, etc.
Finally I was able to achieve one of my goals: To be able to attend
one of my classes in the University of Buenos Aires, with an
excellent group of professors: Professor Jitric, Dr. Camacho and
Dr. Javier.
– Maria Garcia
Buenos Aires is a beautiful city, from the intricate details in the
French architecture, to the colorful buildings of La Boca, and the
diverse people of the city. The bustling city and thriving night
life always gave us something to do in between studying. Although I
was initially upset to leave Buenos Aires to go to Corrientes, I
found Corrientes to be the best part of the trip. Corrientes had a
nice mix between the city, the beach and the country. It also had
the nicest people I have ever met.
- Katherine Hromadka
Another place I loved was Las Pampas! It was such a fun and
carefree day with so much of Argentina’s culture and history
intertwined. Spending time with the Gaucho’s was such a
unique experience. They were so enjoyable to be around and
made such an effort to make sure we were having the best time
possible. Not to mention the enormous feast they prepared for
us, which was delicious, and the entertainment they provided us
with was priceless. And although I swore I would never go
horseback riding again, I couldn’t say “NO” while in Las Pampas. It
was tons of fun!
- Hayley Erickson
The summer program in Argentina was a life altering experience. It
was amazing to learn and experience the history and culture of
Argentina both in the classroom and in person. The food was
amazing, the horseback riding with the Gaucho was so much fun, and
dancing and singing were wonderful! I can't wait to
return!!!
- Carolyn Young