Law & Governance Internships in Cordoba
Law & Governance internships in Cordoba provide unique opportunities to gain experience related to municipality and state. The Municipality of Cordoba oversees the second largest city in Argentina. The city prides itself on work related to social services, culture, inclusivity, environmental conservation (“green spaces” for the city), and tech. This is a research-heavy internship, which will enable you to gain practical experience related to the realities of this hard-working sector, as well as strong transferable skills, which could be broadly applied to many other industries and fields. Come prepared to build your Spanish language proficiency while demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and interest in cultural immersion.
Internship Highlights:
- Develop a broad range of transferable skills, related to research, communication, and cultural competency.
- Collaborate on a range of projects that are developed to put long-term goals into action.
- Gain a unique perspective into law and governance approaches, strategies, and decision-making and problem-solving.
- Connect with experienced professionals who can help develop your real-world experience.
Type of host organizations:
- Local government / municipality offices
- Legal firms
Internship details
The Municipality of Cordoba oversees the second largest city in Argentina. The city prides itself on work related to social services, culture, inclusivity, environmental conservation (“green spaces” for the city), and tech. As the technological center of Argentina, one of the most important financial districts in South America, as home to one of the continent’s oldest universities, the Municipality governs a dynamic region, working to balance modern economical and environmental innovation, against the preservation of traditional cultural and heritage. Come prepared to use your initiative, boost your Spanish language communication skills, and connect with efforts that are both challenging and rewarding.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and select meals included. You can explore remote Law & Human Rights internships, if you are looking for an internship program that you can undertake from home.
Law & Governance internships in Cordoba provide unique opportunities to gain experience related to municipality and state. This is a research-heavy internship, which will enable you to gain practical experience related to the realities of this hard-working sector, as well as strong transferable skills, which could be broadly applied to many other industries and fields.
All internships in Argentina require a strict commitment and high level of responsibility - attributes that are certainly relevant for careers related to Law & Governance! To support interns with cultural and language integration, this internship program includes 20 hours of mandatory Spanish language lessons, which must be undertaken during the first week of the chosen internship duration. If you are already an intermediate or native Spanish language speaker, you may be permitted to skip the language lessons and commence the internship placement directly. However, this will be confirmed on-site, upon review of your ability. All program coordinators speak English, in addition to all direct internship supervisors. However, a genuine effort to interact with the Spanish language is essential, in order to help surmount any other language barriers, with a positive mindset.
Practical activities for the Law & Governance internships can be related to different areas of the Municipality of Cordoba. For example, projects may be related to technical teams, collaborating directly with legislators on research projects, general administrative support (mail and phone, etc), researching legislation, attending briefings and hearings, assisting staff with public events, and assisting with constituent casework. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to specialize in either legislative or communications related assignments depending on interests.
Individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume, your current level of studies and experience, and language ability. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability. In all cases, interns are expected to be as proactive as possible, as a high level of initiative will greatly enhance your cultural immersion and program engagement.
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
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Approximately Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. (the intern schedule includes placement hours as well as the Spanish language lessons and Intercultural Competency Seminars).
Career Benefits
Law & Governance interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Legislative/policy research, data analysis and report creation.
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Assistance with policy planning and project development activities.
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Contribution to enhanced communication and outreach channels.
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Impact analysis and reporting for improved support for clients/stakeholders/sponsors.
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Content creation and/or translations for digital media, newsletters, social media, etc.
Professional development opportunities:
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Gain an enriched understanding of complexities, opportunities, challenges and problem solving strategies required for law and governance.
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Develop cultural intelligence within a professional context, building confidence, communication skills and maturity.
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Contribute creatively to projects developed to support growth, impact and sustainability.
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Argentina photo gallery
Academic credit available for all internships
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing an internship abroad or remote internship program with Intern Abroad HQ.
Learn about course creditProgram 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) |
|---|---|
| 6 weeks | $3,019 Equivalent to $71 /day |
| 8 weeks | $3,709 Equivalent to $66 /day |
| 10 weeks | $4,449 Equivalent to $63 /day |
| 12 weeks | $5,139 Equivalent to $61 /day |
| 16 weeks | $6,569 Equivalent to $58 /day |
| 20 weeks | $7,999 Equivalent to $57 /day |
| 24 weeks | $9,429 Equivalent to $56 /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 60 days before your internship start date.
- 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. (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.
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 twice per month, January 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.
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The accommodation is covered from the Saturday night before the Monday start date. Please aim to book your flights, to arrive on this 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.
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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.
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Interns are required to schedule the flight to arrive at Cordoba’s International Airport between 9am-9pm on the Saturday, prior to your Monday start date. This is required - not recommended - to ensure you’re welcomed and settled on-schedule.
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The internship orientation is provided on Sunday afternoon, prior to 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 (either later on the Sunday, or on your Monday start date), 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.
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The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. 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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