Sara Gold
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresWhen I started university, I knew that I wanted to spend one semester abroad. I completed an internship in Buenos Aires, Argentina with Connect 123 this February-June so as to take a productive break from my studies and to truly think about what direction I was headed in.
I chose Buenos Aires to improve my Spanish, experience living abroad and for its fascinating history amongst many more reasons. I knew that with my International Development Major and Women’s Studies Minor, work experience before graduation was necessary and that Argentina had a long and interesting past and current history in relation to women’s rights.
I interned at two NGO’s. One dealt primarily with issues affecting women and children with HIV/AIDS. My responsibilities included looking for funding, compiling a master list with the funder’s requirements, explaining the grants and sending them to the organization as well as translation/revision of their entire website, many grant proposals, budgets and official e-mails. At this NGO, I learnt a lot about non-profit work in Argentina, the inner-workings of the United Nations, marketing, grant-writing, budget creation and translation. My supervisors were clear about their expectations and made feasible, yet ambitious goals.
The second organization was a feminist non-profit that dealt with women’s rights in the context of domestic or any type of violence. I was more independent at this internship and initiated my own project, which was the creation of a blog for the organization. I also assisted them with a little bit of translation and writing up material/designing a program for workshops they held later in the year. When the workshops started, I assisted them in preparing and hosting their events.
In both of my internships, I learnt greatly about women’s rights in Argentina, the inner-workings of NGOs and the impact both groups are making domestically and internationally. My level of Spanish also went from barely speaking to conversational fluent in a matter of months. My greatest challenges were of course, first, adjusting to the language switch and to a different working culture.
In my free time, I met up with friends, attended Connect-123 or other events, explored the city and travelled to places all over South America and Argentina like Peru, Chile, Patagonia, Mendoza, Brazil and Uruguay. Buenos Aires is really the gateway to many exciting destinations over the continent and there are definitely ways to travel affordably.
I made many incredible friends and took time to really enjoy and explore the city. I took the time to appreciate and think, which is something we all forget to do when we’re caught up with life.
I loved everything about Argentina; the people, the food, the expressions, the places, the city, the music, the literature, my apartment, the nature, the culture, the language and more.
Thank you to Paula and Katie from Connect-123 for warmly welcoming me to B.A. and helping me make the best of what the city had to offer.
Taking a semester to do my internship and travel truly helped me confirm my career plans and take the time to consolidate my skills. I would highly suggest for anyone to get out of their comfort zone and pursue international opportunities like this one, so as to learn, be taught, share, travel and experience.
More Reviews for Human Rights Internships in Buenos Aires
Lily R
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresRhodes College
10 September 2024
The Connect-123 program in Buenos Aires is a wonderful experience. Argentina is full of the most welcoming and generous people including the program coordinator, Brenda, who was so helpful and kind. All of our group outings were so fun and really allowed us to experience every part of this incredible city. Buenos Aires truly has something for everyone and I will definitely be leaving a piece of my heart here...
Scott M
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresMichigan State University
1 November 2022
I am a senior studying International Relations with a specialization in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin America. For the summer of 2022, I was able to work abroad for a human rights-based NGO in Buenos Aires, Argentina and it was an amazing experience. Connect-123 carefully linked my career interests and passions perfectly to align me with a fantastic internship opportunity that fits those interests. The NGO was my first internship that...
Danielle Anderson
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresVancouver Island University
22 November 2018
I got the amazing opportunity to work within the local government of San Isidro in Buenos Aires. As a student majoring in Political Science and International Development I have always been interested in learning about the inner workings of government institutions. I have gained invaluable and inspiring insight by watching the democratic process unfold first hand, seeing how laws and policies are drafted, debated, voted and implemented. I leave this experience...
Sergio Demara
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresCarleton College
7 August 2017
I was only finishing up my freshman year of college at the start of Connect-123, but I knew I wanted to take risks and explore parts of myself I hadn’t before. I was so blessed to work in Buenos Aires at an impactful human rights non-profit organization, completely organized by Connect-123. The experience is more than you could bargain for-- as a cohort, we attended dance performances, dinner nights, and...
Emma Repp
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresMichigan State University
20 July 2017
My experience in Buenos Aires has been nothing short of incredible! Connect-123 set me up with a fantastic host family and a great internship at a non-profit, providing me with an experience that went far beyond that which I would have had simply as a tourist. My host family introduced me to just about every type of Argentine cuisine, explained Argentine politics (or at least tried to), and went out...
Anthony Perez
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresDrexel University
22 June 2017
Ever since becoming a Global Studies major, I knew that I wanted to work for a non-profit organization outside of the United States. Furthermore, coming from a Latin American background and not picking up the language that well when I was younger, I wanted to improve my Spanish and learn how to communicate efficiently. With the help of Connect-123, I got to do just that in the span of 3...
Alexandra Stano
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresMichigan State University
4 August 2016
Once I knew I'd be studying and working abroad in Buenos Aires, I began to envision my time there. I pictured a relaxing summer vacation of sight-seeing and having fun. After three months of living here I can say that my experience has been completely different than what I had imagined. Living 'on my own' in a different country was challenging. I had to worry about buying groceries, cooking, protecting myself,...
Anna Clapham
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresDrexel University
22 August 2015
I will never forget my time in Buenos Aires or the people I met along the way that made those three months so special. Thanks to Connect-123 I was instantly introduced to a supportive and diverse group of young globetrotters each carrying their own stories. I had the pleasure of living and befriending people from Italy, France, Germany and all different parts of the US. The laugh filled friendships (and...
Isabelle Jackson
Human Rights Intern | Buenos AiresColumbia University
4 August 2015
My experience in Buenos Aires was inolvidable. With the support of Connect-123, I experienced the rhythms of the city, its diverse architecture and neighborhoods, the porteños, delicious food (medialunas, dulce de leche, empanadas, asados, mate, and more), and made amazing friends! I fell in love with Buenos Aires. I spent two months with Connect during my gap year, hoping to work abroad and to become fluent in Spanish. I had...