Music Education in Buenos Aires

Students will travel together to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Known as the Paris of South America for its culture and architecture and as the capital of Tango for its inhabitants’ love of music and dance, Buenos Aires is a bustling, cosmopolitan port through which millions of settlers came to the New World.

While in Argentina, you will engage directly with local musicians, educators, dancers and cultural spaces, learning how the history and practice of tango and other Argentine genres informs and shapes the culture and character of the city. You will experience communal practice of music and dance at a peña and milonga, and attend performances at venues including the infamous, atmospheric Boliche de Roberto, the serene sound-healing spa Casa Armonía and the grand national Teatro Colón.

Cultural events, including the San Telmo Sunday Market and a boat tour of the Tigre Delta, along with music and dance instruction from local practitioners, will immerse you in the sights, sounds and daily life of the city. Grounded in holistic, place-based learning, this program integrates structured lessons, workshops, excursions, reflective practice and opportunities to observe and participate in local music-making. Students will benefit from personalized mentoring, close guidance and a flexible curriculum responsive to your interests and the expertise of local partners.

All students will take MUS 3900: Exploring Pedagogies through the Music of Buenos Aires for 1 credit.

While music education students have precedence, this course is open to students of any major by instructor permission. No prior knowledge of the Spanish language is required.

Students will stay in private apartment rooms in Luna Lila, a tango-centered guesthouse in the modern, artistic neighborhood of Palermo. For the final two days of the program, students will move to El Jardín Sahel, an artists’ colony and retreat in a rural area northwest of the city.

In Buenos Aires, you will have the opportunity to try Argentine specialties such as asado, empanadas, milanesa, and yerba mate.

This program is generously sponsored by the Jackie Wiggins Endowment for Music Education and by the Oakland University Credit Union to keep costs low for students.

Tuition: 1 credit

You will be charged for one credit on your eBill at your normal rate of tuition.

Program Fee: $2,800

To be paid to OU on our MarketPlace payment system and includes: roundtrip airfare, housing and most meals, ground transportation and all excursions while in Argentina, and health insurance.

Additional Costs: $465

You will need additional funds for these expenses not covered by the program fee. Amounts are estimated.

• Incidental personal expenses: $200
• Meals: $100
• Passport (if you don't have one): $165

Scholarships and Financial Aid: You are able to use financial aid to cover your full cost of attendance to this program (tuition, program fee, and additional costs). Scholarships are also available through your study abroad application.