Internships in Salta, Argentina
Nestled in the Lerma Valley near the Andes, Salta is home to the remains of ancient civilizations and colonial architecture. With one of the highest railroads in the world (reaching almost 14,000 feet above sea level — gulp!), interning in Salta will have you feeling like your head's in the clouds (quite literally). Salta is known for its natural beauty, traditional folkloric music, and outdoor adventures of every variety. Internships in Salta are a good fit for individuals with a strong sense of adventure, a love for history, and a passion for working in their field.
As the second most populated city in northwest Argentina, Salta has an endless list of internship possibilities. Whether you’re drawn to helping people or are looking to gain tangible skills in your specific industry, Salta has the right internship for you. With possibilities in teaching English, working for a grassroots organization, or working in a personally tailored internship, you are sure to come away from your internship better prepared for your field. Not to mention, it will look awesome on your resume!
Education. Immerse yourself in Argentine culture while also sharing your own as you intern abroad in Salta as an English teacher. As a professional ESL teacher in Argentina, you will change other’s lives while learning more than you can jot down in your travel journal. Obtaining the international certification to teach English abroad, TEFL/TESOL, will allow you to teach English anywhere in the world and does not require previous teaching experience. This certification requires you to have native-level English skills as well as 180 hours of training in advance, but will set you up for success in your teaching endeavors. Interns typically work 20-25 hours a week and can stay for anywhere between six and 12 months.
Grassroots Organizations. Are you inexplicably drawn towards making a tangible positive change in the world? Look no further! An internship in sustainable development with a grassroots organization in Salta is for you. Whether your passions lie with human rights, environmental sustainability, gender equity, or elsewhere, you will no doubt find fulfillment working to address pressing socioeconomic issues. Interns are required to be at least 17 years old and have intermediate Spanish speaking and comprehension skills. The programs typically require a nine week minimum commitment and can be extended longer. Preference is given to interns working towards or with a Bachelor’s degree and with past work experience abroad.
Individual Placements. If you are looking to intern abroad in Argentina in a specific field or industry to kickstart your career, many companies will help place you in a personalized internship. With local connections in many industries, these companies can connect you with the exact internship you’ve always dreamed of. Many of these companies require you to have intermediate or advanced Spanish skills and be at least 18 years old in order to place you with the best internship and to help you get the most out of your internship experience.
Salta, the capital city of the Salta Province, is the most touristed spot in northwest Argentina. Located in the foothills of the Andes, weather in Salta tends to be warm and dry with an average temperature of 16.4 degrees Celsius. Affectionately known as Salta la Linda (Salta the Beautiful), tourists from around the world take advantage of the ideal weather to observe the breathtaking scenery and historic architecture dating back to the 18th century. Frequently described as having a similar feel to Spain, Salta has a small town feel with a city’s worth of things to do.
The city center is marked by numerous museums, cathedrals, and most famously by Cabildo, the old town hall. Feast your eyes upon these glorious buildings, but don’t forget to stop inside to learn about local art, history, and to see artifacts from the Inca empire. Pop into one of the many cafes and bars to refuel with delicious local cuisine before continuing to explore all that Salta has to offer. Finish your day by visiting a local peña, or traditional folk music hall where traditional folkloric music is played into all hours of the night.
If you’re looking to explore the natural beauty of the Andes, plentiful outdoor adventures await just outside of the city limits. Between trekking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, fishing, rafting, and more, you better come prepared to have an action packed (and exhausting) adventure! If you’re looking for a more tame way to escape the city center, take a walk or cable car ride to the top of San Bernardo Hill and be treated to one of a kind views of Salta.
The small town feel of Salta is accompanied by the benefit of a cheaper cost of living than larger cities in Argentina. Life in Salta tends to be very affordable, allowing individuals with a basic budget to survive on around $500 a month. There are many options for cheap eating out such as the menu del día (meal of the day), which is a set menu of food for a set price. Additionally, rent is generally very reasonable varying between $250-$600 a month depending on the location. As is the case with many cities, rent outside of the city center is considerably cheaper than more central locations.
With the exception of teaching English, most opportunities for interning in Salta are unpaid due to the complicated laws Argentina has for paying international employees. If this sounds worrisome, don’t panic just yet. The low cost of living combined with the benefits internship programs offer their participants can make your dream a reality. Internships teaching English in Salta generally offer stipends high enough to offset an inexpensive cost of living. Many unpaid internship programs provide alternative benefits to stipends such as language lessons, development trainings, 24/7 support, group activities, accommodations, and insurance.
If you plan to stay in Argentina for more than 90 days, you will need to obtain a valid visa. The company you intern with will typically help you with the visa process, but it is important to contact the embassy of Argentina to figure out what type of visa you need. The most common visas are for tourism or business and your specific internship will determine which category you fall into. In addition to a visa, interns sometimes need to obtain a temporary residence permit through the National Management of Migration in Argentina, a DNI national identification card for employment, and a Cuil or a unique code for working in Argentina. Visit GoAbroad's Embassy Directory for more information.
Many internships in Salta either offer accommodations or are willing to help connect you with safe and reliable accommodations. Some of these accommodations are offered for free in exchange for your unpaid internship hours, while others charge you a program fee. The common accommodation arrangements include living in a room in shared apartment or in a homestay. Being in a shared apartment can either mean living with locals or with interns from around the world. Either way, you get to make new friends and experience new cultures. If you get the opportunity to live in a homestay while interning abroad in Salta, you will get the best insight into local customs, culture, and the language!
Small City Feel, Big City Adventure. With the feel of a quaint Spanish city and the bang of activity found in large metropolitan areas, Internships for international students in Salta enjoy the perfect locale for both city and country lovers. On any given day you will have no trouble finding new and exciting ways to fill your time in the city center and just outside the city limits. From adrenaline activities in the Andes to museum meanderings in the heart of the city, there will always be an activity to suit your desires.
History. Located in part of what used to be the ancient Inca empire, Salta has a rich history for you to explore. With numerous museums detailing the lives and culture of the Inca, you will no doubt learn something new about these ancient people and gain perspective on your own life. More recent history has also left a lasting impression on the formation and culture of Salta - you can still view historical colonial cathedrals, buildings, and architecture today.
Unpaid Internships. With tough work regulations on foreign employees, obtaining a paid internship in Salta is a difficult task. It is never easy to take the leap to intern in a new country, and financial stress can make it even harder. You may be wondering, is there a silver lining? Yes! Luckily, Salta is a very affordable place to live and is totally worth the effort to make it there! If you can work hard and budget accordingly, your time in Salta will jumpstart your career and leave you with memories of a lifetime.
An internship in Salta la Linda will not only propel you forward on your career path, but will also treat you to beautiful views and interesting historical tidbits on your time off. Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Inca people and settle into your new life as an intern in Salta — your resume and adventurous side will thank you.
Video of the Month
Tokyo Awaits: Your Adventure Begins Now! Beyond AcademyLearn More
More Programs to Check Out
Your options are endless
Popular Searches
Here are some popular links curated for you
to get exclusive discounts on meaningful travel programs!
Travel Tools
Hand-picked travel resources for you
Related Intern Abroad Articles
Read more tips before you travel