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Chile: Business, Language & Culture
Viña del Mar, Chile
About the Program
If you’d like to improve your beginning- to intermediate-level Spanish language skills while studying business and learning about Chilean culture, this program is for you. A language course designed for your skill level will help you improve your oral communication, listening comprehension, and grammar. You’ll also choose courses in Latin American culture, business, history, and society, all taught in English. Daily interactions with local students on the University of Viña del Mar campus will help you hone your Spanish proficiency and enhance your experience in Chile.
Requirements
Overview
Viña del Mar
2/24/18 - 6/30/18
$11,995
16 - 21
Deadlines
Closed
11/15/17
Requirements
Eligibility
High School Graduate
All Levels
2.5
Where You'll Study
University of Viña del Mar
Founded in 1988, the University of Viña del Mar (UVM) is a private institution of higher education recognized by the Chilean Ministry of Education. UVM...
University of Viña del Mar
Founded in 1988, the University of Viña del Mar (UVM) is a private institution of higher education recognized by the Chilean Ministry of Education.
UVM is home to schools of architecture, art and design, agricultural sciences, communications, law, education and the humanities, engineering, kinesiology, business, and technology and enrolls more than 8,000 students across its three campuses. UVM is best known among international students for its renowned Spanish Center, which became an Associated Center of the Cervantes Institute—one of only two in Chile—in 2013. The Center draws Spanish language students from around the world, while UVM’s other schools also draw students from Chile and Latin America, offering a truly integrated experience.
CEA students at the University of Viña del Mar spend most of their time at the Diego Portales and Rodelillo campuses; the Diego Portales campus is home to the university’s Department of International Relations and Outreach (DRI), the Business School, and the Spanish Center, and is only a short bus ride from the university’s main campus, Rodelillo, located in the upper part of the city.
Accreditation
The University of Viňa del Mar is recognized by the Chilean Ministry of Education as a degree-granting institution of higher learning.
Grading
The Chilean grading system is based on a scale of 7, as opposed to 100 in the U.S. system; however, it would be inaccurate to merely multiply a Chilean grade by 7 to find its U.S. equivalent. Grading varies from subject to subject. For example, a student may receive a 7 for completing all the problems correctly on a math exam, whereas in the humanities, a 5 on an essay is an acceptable grade. Grading in Chile is rather severe; depending on the subject, 6 may be considered an excellent grade. In yet other circumstances, a 5 is considered exceptional. Grades of 6 and above are quite rare, although grading in Spanish language courses may be a bit less stringent.
|
Chilean Number Grade |
US Percentage |
US Letter Grade |
|
6.7 - 7.0 |
97-100% |
A+ |
|
6.0-6.6 |
94-96% |
A |
|
5.6-5.9 |
90-93% |
A- |
|
5.3-5.5 |
87-89% |
B+ |
|
5.0-5.2 |
84-86% |
B |
|
4.6-4.9 |
80-83% |
B- |
|
4.4-4.5 |
77-79% |
C+ |
|
4.2-4.3 |
74-76% |
C |
|
4.0-4.1 |
70-73% |
C- |
|
3.7-3.9 |
67-69% |
F |
|
Below 3.7 |
- |
F |
Please note that this grading scale is recommended by CEA and the University of Viña del Mar, but that final credit and grade evaluation is ultimately determined by a student’s home university.
Classroom and Information
- Chilean or other Latin American faculty from the Office of International Education and the Center for Spanish Language teach Spanish language courses and electives. UVM faculty teach integrated courses.
- Periodic exams, homework assignments, and final exams will be administered.
- Class attendance is generally mandatory and monitored by professors.
- Teaching styles in Chile may differ from those in the U.S. Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations.
- Class size ranges between 5 and 15 students for Spanish language courses, and between 10 and 150 students for integrated courses.
- You may attend class with other CEA students, other international students, or Chilean and Latin American students.
Amenities
Student Lounge
Study Area
Counseling Services
Travel Books & Resources
University Library
Computer Lab
Printing Services
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Language Exchange with Local Students
Fitness Facilities
Student Sports Teams
Cultural Engagement
Dining Facilities
Free Campus Shuttle
Banks & Post Office
On-campus ATM
Museum & Art Galleries
16-21
Credits
Program Structure & Courses
Enroll in a Spanish language class appropriate to your level and choose 2-3 elective courses, taught in English. Language courses meet for 120-124 contact hours/8 credits. Elective courses meet for 56-64 hours/4 credits. You may choose to enroll in an optional Service Learning workshop and earn 1 additional credit.
You may earn a total of 16-21 credits (up to 336 contact hours) per semester.
Classes meet Monday-Friday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled on Fridays.
You'll take a language placement test and register for courses after you arrive in Viña del Mar. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Chile. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
You may earn a total of 16-21 credits (up to 336 contact hours) per semester.
Classes meet Monday-Friday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled on Fridays.
You'll take a language placement test and register for courses after you arrive in Viña del Mar. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Chile. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Beginner And Intermediate Course Structure
Courses
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Communication & Chilean Culture - Advanced | 400 | Sp | 124 | 8 |
| Spanish Communication & Chilean Culture - Beginner | 100 | Sp | 120 | 8 |
| Spanish Communication & Chilean Culture - High Intermediate | 300 | Sp | 124 | 8 |
| Spanish Communication & Chilean Culture - Intermediate | 200 | Sp | 124 | 8 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astronomy & Atrophysics | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate Social Responsibility | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Executive Production, the International Film and Television Industry * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Globalization of Markets | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Independent Patent Rights | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Leadership: Essential skills to become an effective leader | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Negotiation Strategies | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Business Communication Skills * | 200 | En | 56 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indigenous Peoples in Chile * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Latin American Social Movements * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Economy * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender and Sexual Minority Studies in Latin America | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Globalization of Art and Its Marketing * | 200 | En | 56 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Narratives on Global and Local Order: Latin American and Western Perspectives on Justice, Identity, History and Economy * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Human Rights in Latin America * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Latin American History of Ideas | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Rebellion, Revolution, and Reconciliation in Latin American Literature and Political History | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Travel Literature in Latin America | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Skills and Crisis Management * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Multicultural Global Management * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Project Management: Key Skills to Excel in Everyday Life | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Marketing Strategies | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethics and Development * | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Research Techniques and Methods | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Cross-Cultural Engagement and Skill Development | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Post Dictatorship and Popular Culture in Chile | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Social Inequality, Exclusion & Democracy | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development | 200 | En | 64 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Learning Workshop | 100 | En | 20 | 1 |
Interested in taking your career to the next level?
Excursions
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
Sample Calendar
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
|
February 24
|
Arrival/Program Begins
Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Santiago de Chile International Airport (SCL) on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing. |
|
February 26 - March 02
|
Orientation
Mandatory CEA and UVM Orientation will be held. |
|
February 28
|
Welcome Reception
CEA Welcome Reception will be held at a local restaurant in Viña del Mar |
|
March 03 - 04
|
Orientation
Mandatory CEA weekend Orientation will be held. Lodging and meals included. |
|
March 05
|
Classes Begin
Classes begin at UVM on this day. |
|
June 25
|
Farewell Reception
CEA Farewell Reception will be held at a local restaurant in Viña del Mar. |
|
June 29
|
Classes End
This is the last day of classes at UVM. |
|
June 30
|
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day. Free airport drop off is offered by UVM on this day. |
Sample Budget
This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.
Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.
Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.