NGO Support Internships in Cordoba
Independent organizations in Cordoba operate, often at a grassroots level, providing services to socially-disadvantaged populations, working to address environmental issues, or progressing rights and education. NGO Support interns should come prepared to demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, cultural sensitivity and immersion. Priorities can be dynamic, challenges can be complicated, and you may learn new things every day!
Internship Highlights:
- Develop a broad range of transferable skills, related to organization, innovation, research, and communication.
- Gain insight into the rewards, challenges and opportunities which make NGOs interesting.
- Connect with people from different walks of life, to develop cultural intelligence and fresh perspectives.
Type of host organizations:
- NGO organizations
- Non profit organizations
- Charities
- Child and youth organizations
Internship details
NGO Support internships in Argentina provide an immersive opportunity to collaborate with an independently operated organization, working to advance meaningful causes for communities. Interns gain valuable cultural insight, along with scope to contribute to a range of projects, campaigns and funding strategies. 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.
The city of Cordoba has a strong historical, industrial, agricultural and technological foundation - not to mention sporting. As the second biggest city in Argentina, and one of the country’s top educational centers, NGOs in this region have ample opportunity to develop leading projects supporting a range of sociocultural or environmental priorities.
Practical activities are related to assistance with general operations and organization, enhancement of working efficiencies, marketing and communications, development of project proposals, funding campaigns, grant-writing, and more. 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.
All internships in Argentina require a strict commitment and high level of responsibility - these attributes are certainly required for career development in all fields of NGO work! This program includes 20 hours of mandatory Spanish language lessons, which must be undertaken during the first week (“orientation week”, so to speak). If you are already an intermediate or native Spanish language speaker, you may be permitted to skip the language lessons and commence your NGO Support placement directly. However, this will be confirmed on-site, upon review of your ability. All program coordinators speak English, but English language proficiency of on-site staff/supervisors may be limited. Therefore, it’s necessary for interns to make a genuine effort to immerse and use Spanish language, to surmount any language barriers, with a positive mindset.
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
NGO Support interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Market research, data analysis and report creation.
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Organizational growth strategy and project development for campaigns and funding.
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Contribution to enhanced marketing, 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 for digital media, newsletters, social media, etc.
Professional development opportunities:
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Gain an enriched understanding of complexities, opportunities, and problem solving strategies required for the operation of independently run organizations.
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Develop cultural intelligence within a professional context, building confidence, communication skills and maturity.
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Contribute creatively to campaigns that support growth, impact and outreach objectives.
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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.
Are you eligible for this internship?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
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What recent interns said about their experience
The program managers were very helpful and gave me enough information and support for me to feel comfortable in Argentina. I enjoyed meeting the other students in the program and the program directors who were super supportive during my 4 week stay. I also enjoyed staying with my host family, they were great people, my host mom cooked amazing food, and I will miss them greatly.
My internship placement also allowed me to meet wonderful people who care a great deal about their community and the lives/ health of the mothers and children in that community. The children at my internship placement were very caring, sweet kids, and they were very respectful towards me. Overall, this experience was amazing and I came from it feeling better about my ability to immerse myself in a new culture with an open mind.
I had an incredible experience in Cordoba, Argentina. My internship taught me about the political impact I can personally have in these contexts and my ability to adapt quickly. I worked on a project that educates local government bodies on Migration management and had the chance to meet with the ambassador of Costa Rica. I learnt about a whole new way of expressing and receiving love on a grand scale and will forever be grateful for my Program Manager and Local Team for making this possible. Thank you!
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
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) |
---|---|
4 weeks | $2,314 Equivalent to $82 /day |
5 weeks | $2,709 Equivalent to $77 /day |
6 weeks | $3,054 Equivalent to $72 /day |
8 weeks | $3,744 Equivalent to $66 /day |
10 weeks | $4,484 Equivalent to $64 /day |
12 weeks | $5,174 Equivalent to $61 /day |
16 weeks | $6,604 Equivalent to $58 /day |
20 weeks | $8,034 Equivalent to $57 /day |
24 weeks | $9,464 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 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.
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Check what’s required to visit Argentina
Check out the widget below to find out what the visa requirements are for Argentina, based on your country of residence.
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.