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UW Activism through the Arts

A black building is painted with colorful flowers and other art.

Argentina, Buenos Aires


Experience the breathtaking beauty and vivacious culture of Buenos Aires while immersing yourself in the artistic epicenter of South America.

With the city as your guide, you’ll discover the plays, films, novels, and art that have emerged from Buenos Aires’s history as an open city, a form of grass roots activism that explores the revival of public spaces through collaboration between the government and its citizens and the promotion of active political and artistic participation.

For three weeks during this winter intersession program, you’ll meet with local directors, actors, and producers to learn  how their work reflects and shapes Argentine culture, visit the sites where figures like el gaucho, Evita, and Madres de Plaza de Mayo gained notoriety, and experience the theater and art that continue to shape the politics and customs of Buenos Aires.

Led by Professor Paola Hernández from the Department of Spanish & Portuguese, this program will be conducted simultaneously in English and Spanish. Classes will be held in English, though students seeking the Spanish equivalent will complete their reading and writing assignments in Spanish. Interpreters and written translations will be provided for English-speaking students whenever necessary during cultural outings and program activities. 

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Learn about Argentina through the study of theater, film, and political activism.
  • Read, write, and explore dramatic and literary texts about the history and culture of Buenos Aires in the city where they were created.
  • Discover the enduring influence of historical figures like el gaucho, Perón, Evita, and Madres de Plaza de Mayo.
  • Take part in a dialogue with local directors, actors, and producers about the modern political relevance of their work.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Students seeking Spanish credit, who wish to complete coursework for this program in Spanish, must complete Spanish 223 & 224 and have a 3.0 GPA in all Spanish language courses by the time of participation. Students seeking non-language credit will complete coursework for this program in English, and there is no language prerequisite.

  • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate Student
  • Open to UW-Madison degree seeking students and all degree-seeking undergraduate students at a US college or university. Preference is given to UW-Madison students
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Art History, Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian Studies, Spanish

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Local Hosts

Program Duration

Winter: Early - Mid January

Application Deadline(s)

Winter Intersession 2025-26 9/26/2025 Cost Details
Winter Intersession 2026-27 9/25/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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After successfully completing this program, you will earn three credits in Spanish 476, LACIS 440, or Art History 430. For students seeking Spanish credit, completion of Spanish 223 & 224 by the time of participation is required. For students seeking non-language credit, there is no language prerequisite.

Graduate students are eligible to participate in the program and must select one of the pre-approved equivalents, which are undergraduate courses.

In addition to daily lectures by UW­-Madison Professor Paola Hernández from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, the program will include guest lectures by local directors, actors, and producers about the role of theater and political activism in Argentinian culture.

IAP will work in collaboration with IFSA on this program. Class will take place at the IFSA center in Buenos Aires in the historic San Nicolas neighborhood of Buenos Aires, just blocks from well-known landmarks like the Plaza de Mayo, Obelisco, Avenida 9 de Julio, and the Teatro Colón.

While taking part in UW Activism through the Arts, you will be fully immersed in the rich history and culture of Buenos Aires through the study of literature, drama, and visual art. Both activism and politics will be an ongoing thread to your studies of the past and current events that feed into today’s theater, museums, novels, and films.

The instruction of the core course will be conducted in English. Students earning credit in LACIS or Art History will read and write in English, and will have translators and interpreters available to them whenever necessary during program outings and activities. Students seeking Spanish credit will complete all of their assignments in Spanish. 

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents

Program Leader

Professor Paola Hernandez

Read more about Professor Hernandez.