“In my dreams, I never leave Buenos Aires,” wrote the celebrated writer, Jorge Luis Borges of his hometown.

College of the Canyons is offering students the opportunity to study Spanish, business and tourism in the Argentine capital, which is often called the “Paris of South America” from Jan. 3 to 26, 2014.

The trip will allow students to immerse themselves in intensive Spanish classes at a partner school in Buenos Aires while living with a local family and experiencing everyday Argentine life.

“The study of Spanish language and culture, International Business and Tourism are integrated in this program to provide a solid foundation for the global competencies required to succeed in today’s interconnected and complex world,” said Dr. Claudia Acosta, COC professor and liaison for international education at the college. “This program provides a unique opportunity to learn and improve language skills in a small classroom setting limited to eight students.”

Students will also take an excursion to Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay—an UNESCO World Heritage Site—and meet with members of non-governmental organizations (NGO) for the defense of human rights, such as the Nobel Peace Prize nominee group, Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo.

“Buenos Aires and the day trip to Colonia, Uruguay offer a wide variety of tourist venues for students to learn about the tourism experience,” said Kevin Anthony, chair of the Hotel and Restaurant Management department at the college who, along with Acosta and business professor Russell Waldon, will be accompanying students on this trip. “As the global tourism industry expands, these tourism venues provide field study opportunities that cannot be truly appreciated in the classroom setting.”

The cost of the trip is approximately $3095 and includes:

* Home stay with a local family (breakfast and dinner provided)

* Bus and underground train pass in the central zone

* Welcome dinner

* Tour of Buenos Aires

* Two-weeks of intensive Spanish classes (40 hours). All materials included.

* Weekly cultural activities such as mate drinking, tango lessons and film nights

* Excursion to a hacienda with a local guide

* An excursion to Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay

* Travel medical insurance

Trip organizers will host information meetings about the trip at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 and Wednesday, Oct. 2 and at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in Mentry Hall, Room 342, located on the college’s Valencia campus.

“As someone who participated in a study abroad program, I’ll tell you that it can be life-changing,” said Waldon. “It was one of the most enjoyable and valuable learning experiences of my life. This trip to Argentina will surely be unforgettable for our students.”

For more information about the College of the Canyons educational trip to Argentina, contact Claudia Acosta at 661-362-3530 or claudia.acosta@canyons.edu.