Featured Programs
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Spanish Language & Latin American Culture
Viña del Mar, Chile
About the Program
Explore Latin American culture while improving your Spanish language skills! Whether you’re a beginning Spanish speaker, speak at an advanced proficiency level, or are somewhere in between, you’ll take language courses that’ll boost your fluency. During the semester, courses taught in Spanish provide you with insight into Latin American culture, history, and society. Fieldwork opportunities support lessons learned in class, while helping you connect with the local community and practice your Spanish language skills. (This program's courses in Spanish do not combine with courses in English from the Business program).
Requirements
Overview
Viña del Mar
7/1/17 - 7/29/17
$4,895
8
Deadlines
Closed
6/1/17
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
8
Credits
Program Structure & Courses
Choose a 4-week program in June or July. You'll enroll in 2 language courses appropriate to your Spanish level. Courses meet for 44-76 contact hours/3-5 credits. You may choose to enroll in two consecutive 4-week sessions. You may earn a total of 8 credits (up to 120 contact hours) per session.
Classes meet Monday-Friday; active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for 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.
Classes meet Monday-Friday; active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for 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 Level Course Structure
Available Levels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Skills: Grammar & Composition - Beginner | 100 | Sp | 44 | 3 |
| Spanish Communication & Chilean Culture - Beginner | 100 | Sp | 76 | 5 |
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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 |
|---|---|
|
July 01
|
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. |
|
July 03
|
Orientation
Mandatory CEA and UVM Orientation will be held. |
|
July 03
|
Cultural Activity
UVM Tour to Valparaiso, sister city of Vina del Mar. It includes boat trip on the port. |
|
July 04
|
Classes Begin
Classes begin at UVM on this day. |
|
July 08
|
Cultural Activity
UVM visit to Isla Negra, home of Pablo Neruda, Chile's Literature Nobel Prize Winner. |
|
July 28
|
Classes End
This is the last day of classes at UVM. |
|
July 29
|
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than 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.