Choose your Summer 2026 Program!
| Experience the vibrant energy and grand architecture of Argentina’s capital through a lens of meaningful service and language growth. This expedition empowers high school students to contribute to local community projects while mastering Spanish in the most cosmopolitan city in South America.
Designed for high school students seeking both personal and social growth, this 28-day expedition transforms the cosmopolitan "Paris of the South" into a living classroom. The journey is strategically structured in two phases: the first half of the program prioritizes Spanish language acquisition at the renowned Academia Buenos Aires, while the second half shifts focus to intensive community service projects. By living with local host families and transitioning from student to volunteer, teens gain a sophisticated understanding of Argentine society while making a tangible contribution to the local community.
Program Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Eligibility: 14-18 years of age
Group Size: Typical cohort of 6–8 participants (Min: 4 / Max: 10)
Community Service: 40 hours
Focus: Community Service & Spanish Language
Level of Spanish: Intermediate or above is recommended
Accommodation: Homestay (2-3 students per home)
Arrival & Departure Airport: EZE (Ezeiza International Airport)
Room & Board | Onsite Directors & 24/7 Support | Tuition | Community Service Placement | Excursions | Cultural Activities | Airport Transfers | International Medical Insurance
A purposeful transition from student to citizen. Our Buenos Aires schedule is built in two distinct phases. During Weeks 1-2, mornings are dedicated to intensive language workshops. During Weeks 3-4, the morning focus shifts to community service projects. This progression ensures students are linguistically prepared to make a meaningful impact.
8:30 AM: Breakfast & Subte Commute. Fuel up with a traditional Argentine breakfast at your homestay in the elegant Recoleta or Palermo districts. Students learn to navigate the city via the Subte, gaining independence within the "Group Bubble" as they head toward the historic San Telmo district.
9:30 AM: Phase 1 (Weeks 1-2): Spanish Language Immersion. Dynamic, interactive workshops at Academia Buenos Aires. These sessions move beyond the textbook, focusing on Argentine Spanish and local history to build the linguistic confidence needed for the second half of the program.
9:30 AM: Phase 2 (Weeks 3-4): Community Service Impact. The morning focus shifts to hands-on service. Students apply their language skills to projects with local NGOs, contributing to the community they’ve grown to call home.
1:30 PM: The Argentine Almuerzo. The group gathers at a local restaurant for a traditional midday meal. This is a key social touchpoint for students to bond as a cohort and relax before afternoon activities.
3:00 PM: Afternoon Discovery. The focus shifts to the city’s cultural treasures. Students explore world-class museums, take traditional Tango lessons, or visit historic cafes, experiencing the sophisticated charm of the "Paris of the South."
6:30 PM: Evening Cultural Connection. Whether it’s a guided walk through the Recoleta Cemetery or a snack at a historic cafe, the group explores the city’s cosmopolitan charm before heading home.
8:30 PM: Dinner & Reflections. Dinner with the host family—the heart of the immersion experience. This is where students truly become part of an Argentine household.
11:00 PM: Curfew. All students return to their vetted homestays, ensuring they are rested for the energy of South America’s most vibrant capital.
Where fluency meets social responsibility. In Buenos Aires, the classroom extends far beyond four walls. We provide the linguistic foundation in Phase 1 that empowers students to serve with confidence in Phase 2. By mastering Argentine Spanish first, our students transition from learners to dedicated volunteers, capable of building genuine bridges within local community initiatives.
Academic Excellence: Academia Buenos Aires High school students attend intensive Spanish classes (9:30 AM – 1:30 PM) designed to build fluency and confidence. Lessons are supplemented by afternoon cultural activities, such as maté tastings in San Martin Square and visits to the iconic Teatro Colón.
Community Partnership: Hands-On Service The heart of the program lies in its service commitment. Students transition from the classroom to community projects, working in local neighborhoods to support social initiatives. This phase empowers teens to apply their language skills in real-world settings while fostering global citizenship.
The Argentine Soul: Tango & Tradition Experience the cultural pillars that define Argentina. From professional tango lessons and stadium tours of Boca Juniors to an authentic "Day at the Ranch" featuring horseback riding and a traditional lunch, students explore the diverse layers of Argentine identity.
Expanding the journey from the city to the countryside. Our excursions are designed to show high school students the full spectrum of Argentine life. From the neoclassical grandeur of the city center to the rugged tradition of the pampas, these journeys provide the cultural context that makes our service work and language study so meaningful.
Colonia del Sacramento: A Journey Across the Rio de la Plata A high-speed ferry ride takes the group to Uruguay to explore this UNESCO World Heritage town. Students wander cobblestone streets and colonial ruins, gaining a broader perspective on the shared history of the Rio de la Plata region.
The Heart of Gaucho Tradition: San Antonio de Areco. A journey into the Argentine countryside to the historic town of San Antonio de Areco. After a traditional lunch, students visit a premier estancia (ranch) for a day of horseback riding and relaxation on the pampas, experiencing the authentic roots of equestrian culture.
Tigre Delta: An Island Odyssey Venture beyond the city limits to explore one of the world’s only inland river deltas. A private boat expedition carries the group through a lush labyrinth of mahogany-colored waterways and sub-tropical islands. Students discover the unique "Isla" lifestyle, admiring the historic Victorian rowing clubs and elegant stilt-houses that make this ecological preserve a tranquil sanctuary from the urban pulse of Buenos Aires.
A complete 28-day immersion. At Arcos Journeys Abroad, we manage the logistics of a month-long international residency so students can focus on language and impact. From our secure "Group Bubble" in San Telmo to our weekend expeditions across the Rio de la Plata, every detail is curated for safety and growth
Intensive Language Study: 40 total hours of professional instruction (20 hours per week during the first 2 weeks) at the renowned Academia Buenos Aires, focusing on Argentine Spanish and cultural history.
Managed Service Projects: Professional placement and coordination with vetted local NGOs for 40 hours of meaningful community impact.
Vetted "Porteño" Homestays: 28 nights of accommodations in the safe residential districts of Recoleta or Palermo. Includes breakfast and dinner daily.
The "Group Bubble" Social: Daily weekday lunches at local restaurants, providing a consistent social touchpoint for the student cohort.
Premium Cultural Access: Guided entry to the Teatro Colón, Recoleta, professional Tango workshops, and stadium tours.
Regional Expeditions: All costs for the high-speed ferry to Colonia (Uruguay), the San Antonio de Areco gaucho ranch day, and the Tigre Delta boat odyssey.
24/7 Arcos Leadership: Continuous on-ground mentorship and the security of the Arcos "Group Bubble" protocol.
Global Protection: Comprehensive international medical insurance and all local ground transportation, including Subte passes and airport transfers (EZE).
Not Included: Round-trip airfare to Buenos Aires (EZE) and personal spending money for souvenirs or additional snacks.
A secure home base in the "Paris of the South." Navigating a major world capital requires expert local knowledge and a constant safety net. At Arcos, we combine the excitement of Buenos Aires with a rigorous supervision model designed specifically for high school travelers.
During our intensive orientation and city tour, Arcos Directors teach students how to navigate the Buenos Aires Subte and city grid with confidence. Once they’ve mastered the route from their homestays in Recoleta or Palermo to San Telmo, students travel independently each morning. This "managed autonomy" allows teens to build real-world urban navigation skills while knowing that Directors are monitoring the "Group Bubble" and are always accessible via their local mobile connection.
Our on-ground leadership team provides a constant safety net. While students enjoy the independence of their morning commute and afternoon discovery, a Director is always on-call to manage logistics, coordinate medical insurance protocols, or provide local expertise at a moment's notice.
We work with a select network of host families in the city’s safest residential neighborhoods. These hosts are more than just providers of room and board; they are an essential layer of our safety network, looking out for our students like members of their own family.
Every community project and NGO partner is thoroughly vetted for safety and appropriateness. Students work in teams alongside Arcos staff, ensuring that their impact work is both meaningful and secure.
A native Porteño, Raúl is a career educator who has led international study abroad programs since 2010. Certified by the Cervantes Institute as a Professor of Spanish, he combines academic expertise with a background in five-star hospitality and luxury tourism. Raúl’s extensive experience leading volunteer initiatives for international NGOs makes him an invaluable mentor for our community service students. A multilingual expert in Argentine history and art, Raúl brings tireless energy and a dedicated "fatherly" care to the Arcos Group Bubble.
"Living in Buenos Aires for a month was a total game-changer. I went from being nervous about ordering a coffee in Spanish to lead-teaching games at my service site. The 'Group Bubble' made me feel safe enough to really dive into the city life, and my host family felt like my actual family by the end of week four." — Tucker, 11th Grade, Windward School, Beverly Hills, CA
"The transition from the classroom in San Telmo to the service projects in the neighborhoods was so rewarding. You spend two weeks learning the language and then two weeks actually using it to help people. Plus, the weekend trip to Uruguay was something I’ll never forget!" — Espe, 10th Grade, Westridge School, Alhambra, CA
"As a parent, I was hesitant about sending my daughter to a major city in South America for 28 days. But Arcos’ communication was incredible. She didn't just 'volunteer'—she learned about the social history of Argentina and came home with a much more mature perspective on the world." — David, Parent, Atlanta, GA
Safety is our highest priority. We utilize a "managed independence" model. During orientation, Directors train students on the Subte and city grid. Once comfortable, students commute independently between their homestays in Recoleta or Palermo and our center in San Telmo. However, for all group activities, service sites, and excursions, students remain within the Arcos Group Bubble, accompanied by our staff. Our vetted host families and 24/7 on-ground Directors provide a constant, multi-layered safety net.
We partner with established, local NGOs to ensure our impact is ethical and sustainable. During the second half of the program, students dedicate their mornings to these partners. Projects vary based on current community needs but typically involve youth mentorship, supporting local social centers, or community development initiatives. These projects allow high schoolers to apply their Argentine Spanish in real-world settings while making a tangible difference.
Not at all. This program is designed for all levels. The first two weeks are dedicated to intensive language workshops at Academia Buenos Aires—the only institution in the city accredited by the Instituto Cervantes. This "Phase 1" focus ensures that even beginners build the linguistic foundation and confidence needed to succeed in their community service placements during the second half of the month.
