Chile Valparaiso Buildings At Sunset 387651445

What's Included

We invite you to study abroad with API in beautiful Chile at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV). This program offers environmental and social sciences courses in English and Spanish, Spanish language, Chilean cultural electives, and you can choose from a wide range of course options to fulfill degree requirements for popular majors.

Study alongside students from Chile and around the world, 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

Excursions

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

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
Open to a variety of language levels (no Spanish language requirement for most classes offered)
Four semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent required for coursework in Spanish for international students
Six semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent required for students taking coursework with Chileans, as well as advanced level placement on the PUCV language exam
Completed API application
University Approval Form
One letter of recommendation
Official transcript
Entry requirement: valid passport with student visa

Dates & Fees

Session	Program Dates	Program Cost	Application Deadline	Extended Application Deadline	Payment Deadline
Spring Early Start	Jan 27, 2024 - Jun 22, 2024	$18,900	Nov 15, 2023	No Extension	Jan 1, 2024
Spring	Feb 24, 2024 - Jun 22, 2024	$13,900	Nov 15, 2023	No Extension	Jan 1, 2024

Courses with Chilean students will end later than courses with international students and will require an extra fee for extended housing.

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 Valparaiso 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.
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.
Granja Aromática

Students will visit an organic farm that produces oils used for aromatherapy, and will participate in a hands–on demonstration of how the oils are produced, from the gardens where the herbs are grown to the packaging of the final products.
Cajón del Maipo, Andes Mountain Range

In the foothills of the Andes Mountains, this visit offers students the opportunity to experience spectacular landscapes, enjoy panoramic views and a host of fun activities. Students will spend two days surrounded by picturesque little towns and an impressive canyon.

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.
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.
Granja Aromática

Students will visit an organic farm that produces oils used for aromatherapy, and will participate in a hands–on demonstration of how the oils are produced, from the gardens where the herbs are grown to the packaging of the final products.
Cajón del Maipo, Andes Mountain Range

In the foothills of the Andes Mountains, this visit offers students the opportunity to experience spectacular landscapes, enjoy panoramic views and a host of fun activities. Students will spend two days surrounded by picturesque little towns and an impressive canyon.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 12-19 credits per semester

API students studying at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) have the option of taking a Spanish language course at the beginning, intermediate or advanced level with other visiting international students, as well as additional courses in English or Spanish. PUCV includes many unique course options in English such as Thermodynamics, Political and Social Change in Latin America, Macroeconomics, and many more!

This exciting program allows API students to:

Take courses in English as well as Spanish language at all levels—beginner through advanced.
Take coursework in Spanish (four semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent is required)
Enroll in classes in Spanish alongside local, Chilean students (a PUCV placement exam is required to verify advanced level of Spanish)
Earn a Latin American Studies Certificate (advanced Spanish proficiency required)

Courses with Chilean students will end later than courses with international students and will require an extra fee for extended housing.

Students selecting the Early Start option arrive four weeks prior to the start of the standard university semester and complete a 90-contact hour Spanish course to improve their Spanish skills.

ACADEMIC AND CALENDAR YEAR STUDENTS

The Chilean academic calendar follows the calendar year. The first semester in Chile is actually the equivalent of the spring semester in the U.S. Students who wish to study for two semesters in Chile are encouraged to consider the Calendar Year option (spring/fall). Students selecting a Calendar Year program have access to API housing throughout their program. In contrast, students selecting the more traditional Academic Year option will have approximately a 2-month break between semesters during which API housing is not provided. Both Early Start options include an intensive Spanish course prior to the start of the first semester in Chile.

TRANSCRIPTS

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

Tara Sepulveda

Tara will be your Program Advisor and will help prepare you for your API program.

(she/her/hers)
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

Name: Zaengle
Price range: $

COURSE INFORMATION

API students studying at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) have the option of taking coursework with other visiting international students, as well as the unique opportunity to take coursework with local, Chilean students.

COURSES IN SPANISH WITH CHILEAN STUDENTS

In addition to the courses listed below, advanced-level students (those with six semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent) may also choose to complete coursework with Chilean students in Spanish. Students will be able to consider course options with Chileans upon arrival in Chile. Courses are offered in the following disciplines:

Accounting
Agronomy
Architecture
Art
Biochemistry
Biology
Education
Graphic/Industrial Design
History
Journalism
Kinesiology
Law
Linguistics
Mathematics
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Social Work
Spanish and Communication
Statistics
Translation

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.