Project Location/Destination: Out of town - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Faculty Leaders: Benjamin Bourlange & Xavier Espejo Vadillo
Dates: Saturday, March 11 - Monday, March 20 (Please note project begins on Saturday, March 11 and ends on Monday, March 20)
Cost: $3040
Special Considerations:
See below.
Objective
An experiential opportunity for students to explore a city abroad that shares history and modern day challenges with Chicago. Students will learn about and experience the unique Argentinian Porteño culture. Students will interact with different resources and experiences to reflect on modern day life and challenges big cities are facing, for instance, urbanization & gentrification. Students will also examine the ability to adapt to new environments outside their comfort zone as they navigate a different city, in a different country, and with a different language.
Description
Two cities miles apart but yet so close in many ways. Chicago and Buenos Aires are two cities that flourished in the 19th century in similar ways due to the meat and grain industry. Prior to the trip, students will learn about some of the facets that Chicago and Buenos Aires share: some history, politics, passion for sports, the arts and gastronomy, as well as digging into some of the modern age problems both cities are currently facing: climate change, immigration and urbanization. We will do so through the reading of some articles and the visits from Carolina Stenberg, a professor from DePaul; Paola Bordón, professional tango dancer, and an artist from Buenos Aires, all living in Chicago. During the trip, students will explore first hand the things we learned and discussed, as we experience the pulsating, passionate, cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires, and some of the surrounding areas near Río de La Plata and Las Pampas. Students will also be able to learn and/or practice their Spanish. Students will gather information through note taking, blogging and taking pictures to elaborate a project comparing and contrasting both cities Chicago and Buenos Aires, using all they will have learned.
Student Requirements and Expectations
Have a valid passport that expires more than six months after the trip.
Be able to leave on Saturday, March 11 and return on Monday, March 20.
Read some articles about Chicago and Buenos Aires, watch some clips and have conversations about them before the trip.
Engage in conversations, sharing and reflecting on what we see, learn and read.
Navigate public transportation.
Students with food allergies and food sensitivities should register for this project with the understanding that there may be times that food options will be limited.
Share lodging with other students in a hotel.
For the horse-riding activity: closed-toe shoes, comfortable pants (not shorts), and a shirt that does not overly restrict movement.
Do substantial walking around the city even in the rain.
Be prepared to meet the expectation of taking part in all planned activities.
Take notes/ microblog and collect pictures for a digital compare & contrast project of both cities.
Passport information
The passport application and renewal processes have change dramatically since pre-COVID. If you do not have a passport or it is about to expire, please take care of this immediately if you are assigned to this project.
Students who have a valid, non-US passport, should see their project leaders as soon as possible because travel guidelines may be different for them than for US citizens.
About the Faculty
When he is not in the classroom, Benjamin Bourlange is an avid traveler. His passion for traveling has taken him to several countries in central and south America where he was able to hone in his Spanish. As a teenager and young adult, horseback riding was one of his hobbies. He is excited to share his passion for horses on this project week. Last year, Mr. Bourlange co-lead a PWeek trip to Florida to observe the Keys' reef coral ecosystem with fellow nature lovers.
Xavier Espejo-Vadillo has organized international and academic exchange trips to Spain, France, Switzerland, Malta and Uruguay in the past. In 2018, Profe Espejo took students to a PWeek in Uruguay and the Global Exchange to France. In 2019, he started the Madrid Exchange taking students to Madrid, Segovia, Cordoba, and Toledo, Spain. Last year, he co-lead a PWeek trip to New Mexico to learn about the first nations, pueblos and the impact they had due to the colonizers from Spain. As a Spanish teacher, his goal is to offer a different Spanish-speaking destination every year during PWeek and help coordinate the Madrid Exchange to offer students to experience culture, tradition, gastronomy, the arts, and practice his native language, Spanish.
Special Considerations
Accommodation considerations - Students will be expected to sleep in shared accommodations.
COVID related information - Some venues may require proof of COVID vaccination or negative test. Students are encouraged to travel with this information and provide it, if required. Please contact the project leaders or School Nurse with any questions or concerns.
Equipment requirements - Students will be responsible for bringing and carrying their own backpack, large enough to hold their own rain gear, water bottles, additional attire for layering, depending on the weather.
Expectation for physical activity - This project will require a significant amount of physical exertion and possibly some physical discomfort. Students on this project should be willing to deal with discomfort, at times, in inclement weather. Students are expected to be able to participate fully in all these daily activities.
Food limitations and allergies - Students with food allergies and food sensitivities should understand that there may be times that food options will be limited. In addition, there may be cross contamination risk of allergens, as there will be times where outside food vendors will prepare our meals. Please contact the project leaders or School Nurse with any questions or concerns.
Horse Riding - Students will interact with and ride a horse one day. They need to be prepared to wear the right attire and follow the instructions from the professionals conducting the activity.
Passport Requirement - Students must have a valid passport that expires more than six months upon return.
Scheduling (Out-of-Town) - This project will have time commitment outside of the M-F (8-4) typical school week. Please note that there is an expectation that students are able to attend the whole time the project is running.
Sensitive Topics - Students will be exposed to sensitive topics.
Supervision during the day - Students might be unsupervised for short periods of time during the course of the day.
Supervision while sleeping - Students might be unsupervised for extended periods of time during sleeping hours (hotel, hostels, etc.).
Transportation considerations - Students will take public transportation with faculty.