LAW WORK EXPERIENCE INTERNSHIP IN BUENOS AIRES

WORK CONTENT AND DESCRIPTION

At the law firm you will be allocated a supervisor who will be responsible for your day to day work. The staff are really friendly and full of energy and most of them speak English. You'll work alongside 20 qualified lawyers in a large open-plan office in the heart of Buenos Aires.

Office work will vary from day to day and according to the cases they are working on at the time of your internship but will most likely include:

• Study cases
• Making drafts
• Comparative analysis of international laws
• Involvement in institutional contracts, commercial contracts, constitution of Companies abroad
• Involvement in Share holders agreements
• Visit the courts and have the chance to observe hearings and trials

Working in this Law firm will give you the opportunity to gain experience in the day-to-day running of a law practice. As with any law placement, the work you’ll be involved with will vary according to your own abilities and attitude, and to what the company requires from you at the time you’re there. Exactly what your office work will involve will vary from day to day, case to case and intern to intern. The all-round exposure you will gain will give you an extraordinary insight into Argentine law.

Your working hours are likely to be 10am – 3pm Monday to Friday.

Please note that you need to be pro-active on this project and ask lots of questions!

COMBINED PLACEMENTS:

HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION

You'll live a hostel situated in a beautifully renovated historic building in Downtown Buenos Aires, very conveniently located for exploring the city, with an endless supply of cafes, restaurants and shops nearby. It has a socialble atmosphere and you'll be made to feel welcome with a real chance to immerse yourself in Argentine culture.

You'll share a dorm room and have access to kitchen facilities. The hostel has a common area where you can relax and watch TV or DVD’s and there is also a piano and a ping pong table! It also has Wi-Fi and a couple of computers and a small roof terrace with chairs to enjoy the sunshine.

FOOD:

You’ll be given an allowance for your meals (breakfast and dinner, lunch is excluded for projects in Buenos Aires). This arrangement is to give you the flexibility to sample the great Argentinean food. Right on the door step of the hostel there are many cafes and restaurants with great priced menus just waiting for you….the choice is yours!

HOST FAMILY ACCOMMODATION:

If you would prefer a more cultural experience, we can arrange for you to stay with a local Argentinean family. Host family accommodation gives you the opportunity to become more integrated in the local community and is ideal if you want to practice your Spanish (Basic/intermediate Spanish is required to stay with a Host Family). You'll have a comfortable private room and use of the kitchen. Breakfast and dinner is provided every day and you will usually share a typical Argentinean meal with your family.

Facilities in host families do vary, but you can express your preferences regarding the type of family that you stay with (for example, a family with or without children, pets, etc). If you stay in a host family you will be given contact details of other volunteers living in Buenos Aires so that you won't miss out on any socialising!

If you choose the host family option, there is an additional supplement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR PLACEMENT?

Once you have applied for a placement, we'll contact you and send you our Welcome Pack. You'll also receive Log-on details and password for our Volunteer Extranet where you'll have access to all the documentation and information which we've put together to facilitate preparations for your adventure! Your Project Co-ordinator for your country will liaise with you throughout the arrangements process, as well as while you're on your placement and on your return home.

The documents you'll have access to also include a Country Factfile, Safety Guide and any manuals that may assist you on your particular programme (e.g. Teaching Guide, Sports Manuals, Enrichment Suggestions for Animal Care, etc.). We do all we can to make your stay one that you'll never forget. This is a truly awesome, elegant and beautiful country.

As with all our destinations, the culture and heritage is different to what you're used to ... which, although one of the most exciting aspects of travelling, should be borne in mind. Self-reliance and independence are highly appreciated in all our destinations and will help you to make the most of this wonderful opportunity!

TRAVELLERS' SUPPORT AND BACKUP: Read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON ACTIVITIES:

Make the most of your time there! To help you do that, we've put together some exciting activities, courses and tours that you can add to your itinerary. These are designed to let you learn, expand your personal and professional development ... and add to your fun and enjoyment!

Very popular choices are Spanish Courses and Dance Courses.

LOCATION | SIGHTSEEING:

The romance of Argentina takes one's breath away. From the northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazú Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is varied and stunning. Argentina is geared up to thrill - from nights tango-ing in the chic quarter of Buenos Aires to gaucho riding in the grasslands of the Pampas.

Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires:
Buenos Aires is one of the most exciting cities in Latin America. Tango was born here, restaurants serve all manner of world cuisines, bars play the latest music, cafés spill on to the streets and nightclubs allow dancing throughout the night. This fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication and has a surprisingly European feel about it. BA is reminiscent of Paris and its tree-lined avenues and frequent plazas have a beguiling, faded elegance.

Downtown, the Plaza de Mayo is the traditional focus of activity. Nearby Avenida 9 de Julio is popularly known as the world's widest thoroughfare and, with its nine lanes of traffic, is truly a pedestrian's nightmare! Avenida Santa Fe is the most fashionable shopping area.

TRAVEL:

To read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country, please click here.

ANNIE WU
American
Law Work Experience Internship in Buenos Aires

I have gained more legal experience in different areas of Law and I have improved my Spanish. I worked on many interesting projects and I had the opportunity to write a comparative law paper with my Supervisor.
I would recommend that anyone doing this internship should be graduated from law school because most of the work I did required some legal knowledge.
Melina, Adriana and Maria have been great. I am very happy with how organized this placement is. Additionally I have met many wonderful people, and learned more about the Argentinean culture. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. The City is amazing and I can't wait to explore all of it! All the Travellers [volunteers] are so nice also.
Overall I have had a great experience here at the law firm, one that I will not forget!

LOTTE BRANDSMA
Dutch
Law Work Experience Internship in Buenos Aires

The work differed from day to day, but most of it concerned Contract Law. Sometimes I'd have to look something up in Pennsylvanian Constitution for a case, sometimes I'd have to draft a memo for a prospective client about how to set up a business (and first figure out how to do that in the correct jurisdiction).
I wanted to work at a law firm because I'm studying law and I wasn't sure if I'd want to go to law school after I finished. The experience was great. Not only did I figure out that I want to continue studying law and possibly make a career out of it, but I also got to know a whole new city.
Adriana and Tamara were both as nice and helpful as can be. I had no worries about contacting them at any time.

JOHN CONWAY
Irish
Law Work Experience Internship in Buenos Aires

Overall, the experience has been very varied and I've had good exposure to what it's like to be a Commercial lawyer in Buenos Aires. Like any work placement there are days when I'm busy and days when I'm not. The staff here are very friendly and have been keen to get me involved as much as possible.
I have visited the Commercial Court. I attended a meeting at a client's office. I have researched trademarks and registration procedures on my own at the National Intellectual Property Centre. I have translated documents from Spanish into English. One day I visited the Law faculty with one of the lawyers and attended one of the lectures she gave.
The experience has been definitely been worthwhile. It has encouraged me to pursue this career when I get back home and the little Spanish that I had beforehand has improved immensely. I think the highlight has been attending the client meetings. It was very interesting to listen to the issues that the client had and how the lawyers were proposing possible solutions.
At times it can be frustrating when my 'Spanglish' lets me down, but it's a great way to learn a language and get some worthwhile experience at the same time. You definitely need to be able to use your initiative and work on your own. You can't be afraid to ask questions. You also need an open mind and a good sense of humour because obviously things are done differently here sometimes and you have to see the funny side of things.
The host family are really nice and the house is great. They really help me to practice my Spanish and they are extremely knowledgeable about Buenos Aires so that really helps.

TESSA JONES
British
Law Work Experience Internship in Buenos Aires
plus Spanish Language Course

I have had a good exposure to law and legal Spanish which has greatly improved my knowledge of how the law works in Argentina and what an Argentine lawyer does on a day-to-day basis.
My Spanish has definitely improved a great deal since I have been here. I express myself much more fluently and clearly now and I am much more confident when speaking to Argentines at work, in the family I live with and in social situations. It has been a really good experience to be independent and find my own way in a foreign country.
I have also really enjoyed working in a legal environment and improving my knowledge of how a law firm abroad works.
Finally I have loved getting to know a different people, a different culture and a very different country to what I have grown up with. I will definitely take away some great memories of Argentina.
I have been really impressed by Travellers. The placement has been really well organised, both in the build-up to my departure for Buenos Aires and during my stay here. I have really felt well looked after.
Can you describe a typical day? My day begins at 9:30 in the law firm. As the firm is quite a small firm in terms of staff, I am generally kept busy throughout the morning doing various tasks such as legal research, translations and administrative tasks for different people in the office.
I leave the office at 1:30, have a quick lunch and then head off to my Spanish lesson between 3 and 5. I am set homework for every lesson, usually a translation, a grammar exercise or a short essay, which I discuss with my teacher before moving on to read a newspaper article, a short story by an Argentine writer or an article about an aspect of Argentine history.
In the evenings and on the weekends I go out with some friends I have made while I have been here, explore the city or take a short trip to a nearby town.

PHILIP CLEMO
British
Law Work Experience Internship in Buenos Aires
plus SPanish Language Course

Buenos Aires is gorgeous, I really love it. Its very obviously a city of rich and poor but its great good knowing that there's so much to see and do and that I probably will struggle to do it all in three months! In terms of the legal placement, operating in a different legal system for a company that deals with important clients is a great experience.
The main experience is living in a foreign country and getting to meet and know the people. I find Argentinean people fascinating and that is an amazing experience! The best thing about it is getting to research and discuss unfamiliar areas of law.
My Spanish has improved a lot and is continuing to do so. Thanks so much, if it wasn't for all your help and hard work I wouldn't be having this amazing experience.
What type of person do you think this placement would suit? You have to be able to work off your own initiative and have a real interest in the law or you’ll be bored witless. As regards living over here in general, it may sound obvious but don’t come if there’s someone or something that you’re going to miss so much that it spoils your time. If you can’t handle that trade off then you shouldn’t come.
Can you describe a typical day? On the days I have a Spanish lesson I get up at 07:45, get ready and get the subte (subway) to my class (about 3 stops). I have that for 2 hours then subte it to work usually for about 11:45.
I start on whatever work we’re doing at the moment, usually with Lucy, and this has ranged from writing a shareholders agreement for a venture capital firm to preparing for a bondholder meeting for a large client.
We take about half an hour for lunch usually around 1 and try to leave around 4.
I tend to come back and chill for a bit and then either go out or cook some dinner and watch a DVD (there’s a rental place nearby). I try to get to bed for 2 but you never get to sleep before 3 so a baby-style nap after work is a good move! The body clock adjustment is a big thing here. It’s not physically demanding but its a culture shift in a big way.
Going out for dinner at 10 and clubbing after is awesome but a bit of a shift from the English way of doing things.

EMMA BURGESS
British
Law Work Experience Internship in Buenos Aires

I am gaining a valuable insight into the workings of the Argentine legal process. I am exposed to legal documentation, cases and draft documents, am learning the processes involved in preparing legal advice, and compiling and presenting commercial cases in court.
In more general terms by undertaking a placement of this nature I am experiencing life in Buenos Aires in a much more acute way than simply experienced by travelling. I genuinely feel part of the city when I travel to work in the morning on the Subte, and interact with Argentine people to a much greater extent than I would otherwise be able to do. Consequently I feel I am developing a better understanding of the history, culture, language and character of the country.
The organisation of the Travellers placements in Buenos Aires is of an exceptionally high standard. The work placement is enjoyable, insightful, and obviously thought has gone into the choice of the firm itself and the choice of accommodation.
My favourite aspect of the experience is simply the opportunity to live in Buenos Aires

JOANNE HUTCHESON
British
Law Work Experience Internship in Buenos Aires
plus Spanish Language Lessons

I love Buenos Aires! It's a beautiful city and there's so much to do - haven't done much exploring outside of the city yet but am hoping to do so soon.
I'm nearly at the end of my second week working in the law firm - I'm really enjoying it. It was difficult at first because I didn't understand the Argentinean accent, but all the lawyers are very friendly and are giving me loads of interesting work to do.
I'm taking Spanish lessons for a month to sort out my grammar and already its improving! So, so far so good. I'm having a great time.
What has struck me the most, is how friendly people are over here, everyone makes an effort to talk to you and lets you speak in Spanish even if you're making loads of mistakes.

VASSILIKI KAPELOS
Canadian
Law Work Experience Internship in Buenos Aires

The experience has been invaluable in that I have been exposed to Spanish more intensely than had I simply been a tourist, thus allowing me to learn more at a quicker pace.
As well, I have been introduced to how business is done in another country and seen firsthand the possibilites allowed by international business.
The law placement is my favourite part of the trip so far. The people I am working both with and under (especially those I have been working under) have provided me with much guidance and have really enriched the experience for me.
This placement would suit someone whose interests lie in international business and/or law and who is self-motivated, i.e. you can’t expect the work to be handed to you, you have to ask for it when necessary (don’t be shy!).