Summer Chilean Culture and Spanish Language in Valparaiso

Chile Valparaiso Art 339570338
What's Included

We invite you to spend your summer with API in beautiful Chile at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV). This program offers Spanish language classes at all levels in addition to courses focused on Chilean culture.

Study alongside students from around the world, improve your language skills, earn valuable academic credit, experience life in this UNESCO World Heritage city known as "The Jewel of the Pacific," and explore all Chile has to offer!

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

APIConnect Platform

Orientation Materials and Resources

Access to International Phone Plans

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Scholarships

On Site Services

Airport Reception

API Center

On-Site Orientation

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Excursions

Resident Directors

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Tutoring

Housing (including meals and laundry)

Language and Culture Tools

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and API Ambassador Program
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • Minimum 2.5 G.P.A.
  • Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • No minimum study of Spanish required
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Official transcript
  • Entry requirement: valid passport with supporting documents
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Extended Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Summer 1 and 2 Combined May 20, 2023 - Jul 29, 2023 $10,900 Apr 15, 2023 No Extension May 15, 2023
Summer 1 May 20, 2023 - Jun 24, 2023 $6,500 Apr 15, 2023 No Extension May 15, 2023
Summer 2 Jun 25, 2023 - Jul 29, 2023 $6,500 Apr 15, 2023 No Extension May 15, 2023
Excursions

API students participate in excursions designed to help familiarize them with the culture and surrounding areas of their host city and country. The following is a listing of potential excursions for API Valparaíso programs. API may need to modify the excursions offered in a given term due to travel restrictions or health and safety concerns.

  • Santiago and visit to Memorial Museum

    Housing more than one third of the total Chilean population, Santiago defines Chile for many visitors. It is a thriving metropolis with a wealth of museums, restaurants and other cultural activities. Surrounded by mountains, the city’s cleanliness and order enthrall visitors. With its mixture of architecture reminiscent of both Europe and the United States, visitors from around the world feel comfortable in this most modern of Chilean cities.

  • Santiago Human Rights Tour

    This walking tour highlights part of recent history and culture, and students will visit points of interest in the center of Santiago, to include the Museum to Memory and Human Rights.

  • Aromatics Farm

    Be prepared for a sensory delight! API students will enjoy visiting an organic farm that produces oils used for aromatherapy. Students will participate in a hands-on demonstration of how the oils are produced, starting with a tour of the gardens where the herbs are grown to the packaging of the final product.

  • Natural Monument Island of Cachagua

    This excursion begins with a beautiful ride along the coast, while traveling to the Natural Monument Island of Cachagua, also called Island of the Penguins, one of the five most important nesting sites of the Humboldt penguin. Hopefully the conditions will be just right for students to catch a glimpse of these incredible animals!

  • Parque Tricao

    Spanning more than 120 hectares, this park allows visitors to appreciate the conservation of the native forest of the central zone of Chile, as well as the recovery of wetlands and original fauna of the area. Students will discover the largest aviary in South America, home to beautiful exotic species.

  • Vineyard

    Chile is widely recognized for the quality of its wines, especially Carmenere, a variety of grape that was once close to extinction due to a plague in France. Students have the opportunity to learn more about Chilean wine and its roots dating back to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century.

  • Santiago and visit to Memorial Museum

    Housing more than one third of the total Chilean population, Santiago defines Chile for many visitors. It is a thriving metropolis with a wealth of museums, restaurants and other cultural activities. Surrounded by mountains, the city’s cleanliness and order enthrall visitors. With its mixture of architecture reminiscent of both Europe and the United States, visitors from around the world feel comfortable in this most modern of Chilean cities.

  • Aromatics Farm

    Be prepared for a sensory delight! API students will enjoy visiting an organic farm that produces oils used for aromatherapy. Students will participate in a hands-on demonstration of how the oils are produced, starting with a tour of the gardens where the herbs are grown to the packaging of the final product.

  • Vineyard

    Chile is widely recognized for the quality of its wines, especially Carmenere, a variety of grape that was once close to extinction due to a plague in France. Students have the opportunity to learn more about Chilean wine and its roots dating back to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century.

  • Santiago Human Rights Tour

    This walking tour highlights part of recent history and culture, and students will visit points of interest in the center of Santiago, to include the Museum to Memory and Human Rights.

  • Natural Monument Island of Cachagua

    This excursion begins with a beautiful ride along the coast, while traveling to the Natural Monument Island of Cachagua, also called Island of the Penguins, one of the five most important nesting sites of the Humboldt penguin. Hopefully the conditions will be just right for students to catch a glimpse of these incredible animals!

  • Parque Tricao

    Spanning more than 120 hectares, this park allows visitors to appreciate the conservation of the native forest of the central zone of Chile, as well as the recovery of wetlands and original fauna of the area. Students will discover the largest aviary in South America, home to beautiful exotic species.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 6 credits per session (up to 12 total)

Students who choose to study abroad in Valparaíso in API’s Chilean Culture and Spanish Language Program have the opportunity to complete 6 semester credits of language and culture coursework.

Beginning and intermediate-level Spanish speakers can select from a Spanish grammar course, a conversation and culture course, or English-taught electives.

Advanced Spanish speakers may choose to complete a grammar course along with an elective course or simply select two elective courses.

All courses are available only to visiting international students and are equivalent to three semester credits.

TRANSCRIPTS

API students receive a transcript from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso upon completion of their program.

  • Gabi headshot

    Gabi Perches

    Gabi Perches will be your Program Coordinator and prepare you to go abroad!

    (she/her/hers)

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    Alejandra Rojas

    Alejandra Rojas will be your Resident Director and a resource for you on-site.
    (she/her/hers)

Courses
Click Here to Find Classes

COURSE OFFERINGS

Participating students complete two courses per session, in accordance with their Spanish levels. Language levels are determined by an on-site placement test, administered by the host institution.

CREDIT INFORMATION

API’s university partners in Chile operate according to the contact hour system; the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class with a professor. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. semester credits, similarly, divide the Chilean contact hours in a given course by 15.

Below is a sampling of courses offered. For the most up-to-date course availability, click here to explore our Class Finder.

Courses at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Summer Chilean Culture and Spanish Language)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Summer Chilean Culture and Spanish Language)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Courses at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Summer Chilean Culture and Spanish Language)

For the most up-to-date course availability on this program, explore our Class Finder. Sort courses by term, area of study, and more!

Click here to find courses, syllabi, and more!

Highlights
  • Classes taught in Spanish
Housing

Semester and summer students living in Valparaíso will live with local host families in either Valparaíso or nearby Viña del Mar. In Chile, API places one student per family, and all students have a private bedroom. Host families serve as a unique introduction to Chilean culture and may be made up of a retirement-age couple, a single woman with or without children, or a traditional two-parent household. Students are provided with two to three meals per day, as well as laundry service once per week. Generally, if a student is at the university during the family’s lunch hour, the host mother will prepare a light meal for the student to bring to the university or lunch is saved for the student and eaten later.

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