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Global Health Internships in Cordoba

Global Health Internships in Cordoba

Global Health internships in Cordoba, Argentina, are designed to assist students and young professionals with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the healthcare system, ethical doctor-patient relationships, and more. Interns should come prepared to demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, cultural sensitivity and immersion. This internship is structured and intensive, including a commitment to medical Spanish and seminars on pathologies, the health system and reflection guided by medical professionals.

Internship Highlights:
  • Gain real-world insight outside the classroom, to fulfill experiential learning requirements.
  • Develop confidence and communication skills, related to both general and medical Spanish.
  • Reflect on healthcare systems in a supported environment, while learning from dynamic rotations.
  • Experience the beauty and warm hospitality of Argentina, its people, and culture.
Type of host organizations:
  • Private and hospitals, clinics, and teaching hospitals
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Non-profit health centers
  • Pharmacies
  • Dental clinics
Fully hosted experience from $1970
Includes accommodation & meals
Two start dates per month
Minimum duration 3 weeks, up to 24 weeks maximum
Spanish language lessons included
Get job-ready with our Experiential Learning Curriculum
Requires a minimum of beginner Spanish
Eligibility requirements and Associated career paths
Eligibility requirement

Global Health internships in Argentina are suitable for pre-med (from their third year) and medical students, 20 years and older, of diverse healthcare-related disciplines, as well as recent graduates (Medical, Nursing, Midwifery, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Physician’s Assistant, etc). Interns must be at least 20 years of age and have a genuine interest in medicine, commitment to medical observation of both surgical and non surgical procedures, and willingness to gain insight into the healthcare system and ethical doctor-patient relationships. Global Health interns will be required to have the following vaccinations up-to-date: Hepatitis A-B, Tetanus, Flu, Covid 19, Varicella and MMR (titers and/or immunizations).

Language requirements

Suitable for students at an intermediate (complete A2 minimum) Spanish language level. With the exception of fluent or native Spanish language speakers, all interns are required to attend 20 hours of mandatory Spanish language lessons for the first week of this internship, before commencing medical rotations within a hospital placement. Interns at an A2 level will receive 40 hours of Spanish lessons in the first two weeks, commencing their internship placement on the third week. This is included in the program fee. Additional Spanish lessons are optional but recommended and are not included.

Associated career paths

Medical Doctor, Physician, Certified Physician Assistant, Nurse, Pediatrician, Paramedic, Anesthesiologist, Medical Scribe, Surgical Technologist, Surgeon, Pharmacist, Phlebotomist, Obstetrician, Radiologist, Midwife, General Practitioner, Orderly, Medical Assistant, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Clinical Laboratory Technician, Psychologist, Psychiatrist

Internship details

Global Health internships in Argentina are provided for pre-med and medical students of diverse healthcare-related disciplines, as well as recent graduates. If you’re studying a healthcare related field - such as Medical, Nursing, Midwifery, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Psychology, Social Work, Physician’s Assistant (etc) - then this highly structured internship program contributes toward your personal and professional development in the field.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation provided. You can explore remote internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.

Medical observation internships require a strict commitment and high level of responsibility, as these attributes are certainly required for career development in all fields of medicine and healthcare. The Global Health internship in Cordoba, Argentina, includes mandatory Spanish language lessons, which must be undertaken: 20 hours (or 40, for interns at an A2 level) of medical Spanish lessons will be provided and are included in the fee. If you are already an intermediate or native Spanish language speaker, you may be permitted to skip the language lessons and commence medical rotations directly. However, this will be confirmed on-site, upon review of your ability.

All interns are strongly encouraged to come prepared to immerse themselves in the culture and embrace the opportunity to practice cultural intelligence and adaptation, as this will significantly enhance your experience and engagement. All program coordinators speak English, but not all doctors have English language proficiency (although they may have some understanding of written English). A genuine effort to interact with the Spanish language is essential. All seminars on pathologies, the health system, and other topics, including any reflections guided by medical professionals, will be conducted in Spanish.

On this program, Global Health interns will be required to wear appropriate attire and protective equipment. However, interns should not expect to work “hands on” with patients, given all relevant national and local laws regarding patient health and safety (in addition to any particular limitations for visitors in healthcare settings). This means that interns should not expect to be directly responsible for the care, diagnosis, or treatment of a patient, nor directly involved in any invasive activities. At all times, supervision is handled by a range of medical staff, during rotations. Interns must expect to work in a multidisciplinary team, which could include nurses, doctors, or other department heads. All local medical staff will be in the best position to provide guidance, direction, and answer questions as they arise.

Please note that the level of studies you have at the time of your internship will also impact your internship tasks. For example, interns at a pre-med level can expect to conduct more basic rotations, whereas interns in the last years of Medical school could have more specific rotations.

Internships in Argentina also include Intercultural Competency Seminars. These are conducted in Spanish but English language support is available, to ensure understanding. These are more concentrated during the first week of your experience and continue throughout the first month of an intern’s experience. Topics are listed below (if you’re interning for less than 4 weeks, then you’ll only cover the content that’s possible within a shorter time frame).

Work Culture - Placement Orientation - Workplace Presentation Tips

  • Work protocol
  • Work culture in Argentina and your home country
  • Work relationships, hierarchy, and types of social interaction expected at the
    workplace

Reflecting Inward - Developing Self-Awareness

  • Identity: Four Layers of Identity
  • Skills/Communication Styles
  • Setting Goals

Cross-Cultural Adjustment

  • Understanding Cross-Cultural Adjustment
  • Going Beyond Surface Adjustment
  • Understanding Culture Shock and the Stages of Adjustment

Strategies for Developing Intercultural Competence

  • A Model of Intercultural Sensitivity
  • Strategies for Making Cultural Inferences
  • Discussion of Ethnocentric and Ethno-relative worldviews/cognitive dissonance and wellbeing (Conflict prevention)

Culture & Identity of Argentina

  • The concept of “Argentinidad”: identity versus stereotypes
  • Values, beliefs, attitudes of Argentinians
  • Customs and etiquette, stereotypes
  • What does being an Argentinian mean? Argentina: “work in progress”
  • Sociopolitical and cultural phenomena in current Argentine life

Typical Schedule

  • Approximately Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

Career Benefits

Global Health interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
  • Diverse medical rotations to enhance your working knowledge of different specializations.

  • Observation of healthcare provision, to learn directly from experienced working professionals.

  • Access to mentorship from medical staff and collaboration to enrich practical learning.

Professional development opportunities:
  • Build communication skills and understand patient relationship management.

  • Gain familiarity with modern healthcare systems in action.

  • Practice and hone Spanish language skills, especially in medical contexts.

  • Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.

Are you eligible for this internship?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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What recent interns said about their experience

FF
Fiona Foley
June 2024

I enjoyed every minute I've been able to be here in Córdoba. I have loved this experience and it has truly changed my life and helped me figure out what I want to do when I am older and out of school. This internship propelled me further towards my long-term goals of working within the healthcare field. Not only have the experiences allowed me to apply what I had learned in a classroom, but they have also allowed me to picture myself working alongside other doctors in a hospital setting. If anything, this internship and learning experience has set me up for success with regards to the career path I intend to pursue.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

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Program fees

It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$499 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$499 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.

Duration
Program Fee (USD)
3 weeks $1,970 Equivalent to $93 /day
4 weeks $2,382 Equivalent to $85 /day
5 weeks $2,844 Equivalent to $81 /day
6 weeks $3,256 Equivalent to $77 /day
8 weeks $4,080 Equivalent to $72 /day
10 weeks $4,954 Equivalent to $70 /day
12 weeks $5,778 Equivalent to $68 /day
16 weeks $7,476 Equivalent to $66 /day
20 weeks $9,174 Equivalent to $65 /day
24 weeks $10,872 Equivalent to $64 /day
  • Airport pick-up
  • Daily breakfast and dinner
  • Spanish language lessons
  • Intercultural Competency Seminars
  • Accommodation
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • Program orientation
  • Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
  • In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
  • Sourcing and securing your internship placement
  • Personalization of your internship plan
  • Coaching from your supervisor
  • Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
  • Academic credit facilitation
  • International reference letter
  • Certificate of Internship Completion
  • Lunches
  • All in-country transportation
  • Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
  • Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
  • Personal spending money for snacks, drinks, public transport, laundry, and leisure activities during your free time.
  • A deposit of $499 (approximately 499) is required to secure your internship
  • All internships in Argentina include at least 20 hours of Spanish language lessons, which are taken in conjunction with the internship program. The internships are suitable for participants at a beginner - A1 and A2 - Spanish language level (recommended Spanish language education for 2 or more years). Fluent or native Spanish language speakers are also welcome.
  • Balance of your Program Fee is due 70 days before your internship start date. The Program Fee payment can also be completed in installments through our Zero-Fee Payment Plan. Learn more.
  • All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
  • Terms and Conditions apply.

Spanish language lessons

With the exception of fluent or native Spanish language speakers, all interns are required to attend 20 hours of mandatory Spanish language lessons for the first week of their internship before commencing the internship placement in their second week. (As an exception, the Global Health internships include 30 hours). This is included in the program fee. Additional Spanish lessons are optional but recommended and are not included.

For interns at an A2 Spanish level, they will receive 40 hours of Spanish lessons over the first two weeks. Therefore, activities at the internship placement will commence from the third week onward, after completion of the language program first.

This approach is designed to enhance the enjoyment of being in South America, while developing professional social, and cultural competencies. While your internship can be conducted in some English, a language barrier can still be encountered to a certain extent. Interns should be prepared for the very natural and normal frustration of not always understanding what is being said around them. Most interns are able to have a successful internship experience and it is essential to come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier, as opposed to being intimidated by it.

Weekends and travel

Outside of this program, interns have the truly enriching opportunity to experience the best that cultural immersion in Argentina has to offer, with excellent hosts. Whether attending Tango workshops, learning about first class vineyards and wines, visiting local museums or World Heritage Sites, this is a stunning destination and culture that will leave a lasting impression!

Maybe the rhythm of Cordoba’s famous cuarteto music will call to your feet, maybe you’ll forage for a flea market bargain, take a trip to the Che Guevara Museum, adventure in the mountains, try Argentina’s beloved Fernet and Coke or spend your time discovering the Jesuit Block. Maybe you’ll do it all and more, or just relax in a peaceful park and sip a coffee.

In any case there’s no shortage of things to see and do during your free time in Córdoba. But if it’s time for a change of scene, Córdoba’s central location means it’s easy to hop on a plane or jump in a car or bus and visit Argentina’s buzzy capital, Buenos Aires, or pay a visit to the Mendoza wine region or the city of Rosario. If the outdoors are your thing, there’s plenty of trekking, mountain climbing, and horseback riding to be had in the Córdoba region and nearby.

Arrival and Orientation

Internships in Argentina begin once per month, February through September. Interns may choose to spend a minimum of 4 weeks, up to a maximum of 24 weeks. Airport pick up, accommodation, and selected meals are included in the Program Fee.

  • The accommodation is covered from the Saturday night before the Monday start date. If you are traveling in Argentina prior to commencing the internship, we can alternatively arrange for you to be picked up from a pre-approved meeting point in Cordoba, on this date.

  • Most international flights arrive at Buenos Aires’ Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini. To receive the airport pick up for this internship program, you must make your way to Cordoba. The Cordoba airport is the Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport, more commonly known as Pajas Blancas (COR). Pick up from this airport in Cordoba is included in the cost of the internship Program Fee. Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to the homestay accommodation.

  • Interns are required to schedule the flight to arrive at Cordoba’s International Airport between 8am - 11pm, prior to your Monday start date. If you arrive earlier than 8am, you will be picked up at 8am, and if you arrive after 11pm you will need to find an alternative accommodation for that night, and get picked up the next day.

  • The internship orientation is provided on the Monday start date. Orientation is mandatory to attend and runs for approximately 2-3 hours (including an afternoon tea). The session covers important onsite information for your internship experience in Argentina, including general introductions, information about customs, rules and expectations, safety guidance, details about travel opportunities, weekend activities, Spanish language lessons, and more. You will be shown around the local area and introduced to the local transport system as well. There are frequent buses as well as taxis. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining, as well as your tutor or supervisor.

  • The last night of the accommodation is calculated according to your arrival date. For example, if you arrive on the Sunday night before your Monday start date, then you would depart on the Sunday of your last week. If you arrive earlier, on the Saturday, then you will check out on the Saturday of your last week.

  • Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability. Return transportation to the airport is not included in the internship program fee but local staff can assist you to make arrangements. Expect to budget approx. US$15 for private transportation (taxi only - not Uber). Local coordinators can assist you with transportation arrangements via the Cordoba Taxi Association.

Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.

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Accommodation and WiFi

All interns in Cordoba are hosted in various homestay accommodations. These are all located in the downtown area, in middle-class neighborhoods, with convenient access to public transportation routes, and near to a variety of shopping and entertainment districts. Most homestays are situated in high-rise apartments, which is a common feature of urban living in Argentina. They are also located in close proximity to one another.

Interns will be provided with a public transportation pass with a small amount of money preloaded on the card. You will just need to add additional money to cover the cost of ongoing commutes throughout your stay. Most interns use the local bus to commute throughout the internship and you will need to cover the cost for this (approx. US$1.50 per day).

All homestays have fans and WiFi. To keep connected when out and about, you can also opt to purchase a local SIM card with data (you will need to ensure that your phone is unlocked for international use). The local team can assist you with this at the orientation, if need be.

In most cases, individuals will be allocated a private bedroom within the homestay apartment. However, the availability of private rooms cannot be guaranteed, as it’s always subject to availability. In the event that you’re not allocated a private room, you may have your own bed, within a shared room (sharing with one other, of the same gender - usually, this arrangement is made in the case of friends, who are participating on the program together). Bedding is provided, but it is recommended that you bring your own towel and toiletries.

Homestay accommodations provide international interns with an extra layer of support, while also providing a valuable opportunity to become immersed in the Argentine way of life, meeting local people, eating authentic cuisine, practicing Spanish, and engaging in typical customs. Argentinian hosts vary - accommodation hosts are not always standard, traditional families (e.g. mother-father-children). Rather, accommodation hosts may also include single-parent families, young couples, retired couples, Argentinian university students, older women (whose children have already grown up and left home), etc. All interns will be welcome to complete a “homestay family preference form” in advance, so that we can do our absolute utmost to accommodate you in the best possible way.

For those seeking alternative arrangements, accommodation “upgrades” are available (at an additional cost) upon request (subject to availability).

A weekly budget of US$60 per week should be sufficient for use of public transport, in addition to miscellaneous expenses, such as laundry, bottled water, snacks, etc.

Meals

Internships in Argentina include two meals per day provided by the host family (daily breakfast and dinner). Homestays typically cook meals for their guests in the traditional ways of the country.

Breakfast usually consists of a croissant, cup of coffee, tea or mate, and dulce de leche, and may be served sometime between 7-9am. A typical Argentinian breakfast does not normally include food items like cereal, eggs, fruits, bacon, pancakes. Therefore, if you want to have a heavier breakfast, then you should ensure that you budget independently to “top up” what you want to eat for this meal.

Lunch is not included through the internship program, so you’ll need to budget for this meal. Sandwiches, pastas, meats and salads make up the typical Argentine lunch. A “merienda” (late afternoon snack) is usually eaten sometime between 5pm to 7pm - this is also not included in the internship program - however, it is an important meal, since Argentineans usually do not eat dinner until about 10pm. Some merienda meals might include a salad or a sandwich, as well as an “alfajor” (a delicious dessert consisting of two shortbread cookies stuffed with dulce de leche and rolled in a choice of shaved coconut, chocolate or both).

Dinner, included in the program, is typically served later in the evening, usually between 9pm - 10pm. Typical dishes may include grilled or barbecued meat, sweetcorn, pasta, pizza, pastry stuffed with vegetables and salads made of fresh produce like eggplant, squash and zucchini. (Most restaurants are not open to serve dinner before 9pm and usually stay open until 1am or 2am).

You’ll find Argentine meals to be hearty and nutritious, but perhaps different from what you’re used to eating at home. In general Argentineans do not eat a lot of vegetables, cereal and fruits. If there are special snacks you like to have, please budget for them and take care of your own preferences independently. A weekly budget of approximately US$50 should be more than generous for covering extra snacks, treats, and drinks, as a supplement to what’s already going to be included for you. Meal prices for even a cheap restaurant will begin at around US$10.

Please be sure to let us know of any specific dietary requirements that you have in advance (i.e. allergies and intolerances), so that we may ensure your hosts are aware and can make recommendations to you accordingly. Be prepared to discuss this with the team in-country as well, and budget to supplement the meals that will be provided to you. Note that gluten free products and alternatives (such as gluten free breads, cereals, cookies, etc) can sometimes be more expensive to source, and you may not find certain brands that you’re used to. Meat is very commonly eaten in Argentina, so if you are a vegetarian or vegan, please feel free to discuss meal recommendations with the local team.

Essential country information

Capital Buenos Aires
Population 45.8 million
Languages Spanish
Currency Argentine Peso
Time zone UTC−03:00
Weather and climate:

Like its topography, Argentina’s climate varies greatly. The climate ranges from subtropical in the north, to humid in the central regions, to sub-Antarctic in the south. If you are planning to travel around different regions of the country, make sure you check the weather forecast! Winter, from June to August, is the driest period of the year. The coldest months are June and July and the warmest month is January.

In Cordoba, where the internship program is based, there are four marked seasons and the climate is generally described as humid subtropical. It is moderated by the “Pampas winds”, which is the cold air originating in Antarctica.

The summer months are considered to be from late November through till early March. ​​Heat waves are common and there can be frequent thunderstorms. During this season, the average daily high is above 66°F / 27°C. The hottest month of the year in Cordoba is January, with an average high of 86°F / 30°C and low of 66°F / 19°C. By late February or early March, nights start getting cooler.

The winter season runs from late May till early September, and brings average highs of 64°F / 18°C and lows of 39°F / 4°C. (Occasionally, there can be warm spikes during the winter time, when strong northwesterly winds bring dry, pleasant nights). The coldest month of the year in Cordoba is July.

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