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Explore Latin American culture and learn about this geographically diverse country while improving your Spanish language skills in Chile! 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 English or Spanish provide you with insight into Latin American and Chilean culture, history, and society.
Ranking in the top 30 of Latin American Universities, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), is recognized for its academic prestige and research within the fields of science, engineering, humanities and the arts offering more than 100 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
When in Valparaíso, live as the locals do! Choose CEA CAPA housing or arrange your own independent housing. CEA CAPA Housing assignments are based on availability and confirmation date; we make every effort to match your housing requests, but we can't guarantee housing preferences.
Program Structure
Enroll in 1-4 Spanish language courses appropriate to your level and choose 1-4 elective courses, taught in English or Spanish. Language courses meet for 60-90 contact hours/4-6 credits. Elective courses meet for 38-76 hours/2-4 credits.
You may earn a total of 13-21 credits (up to 336 contact hours) per semester pending your language level. If you chose the Early Start Option, you may earn an additional 6 credits/90 contact hours.
Classes meet Monday-Thursday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled on Fridays.
Prior to departure, you will indicate your preferred courses and approximate language level. Once in Valparaiso, you'll finalize your course enrollment, as well as take a language placement test and be enrolled in the appropriate language course based on the results of your exam. 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.
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings may not be finalized until the start of the term; we’ll post an updated list when the host institution finalizes its offerings.
*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.
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.
Caleta Horcon
Horcón is a small fishing village an hour north of Viña del Mar. In this lovely, rustic place, you’ll find fishermen, artisans, and artists living in peaceful harmony. Enjoy the local food, scenic walks, and wait for the boats to arrive with their fish every morning. This little spot is truly a magical place for a weekend excursion.
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Caleta Horcon
Horcón is a small fishing village an hour north of Viña del Mar. In this lovely, rustic place, you’ll find fishermen, artisans, and artists living in peaceful harmony. Enjoy the local food, scenic walks, and wait for the boats to arrive with their fish every morning. This little spot is truly a magical place for a weekend excursion.
Pablo Neruda’s House & Museum in Isla Negra
Named by the famous Chilean writer, Pablo Neruda, Isla Negra or “Black Island” was Neruda’s home for 34 years. Today, it’s a museum; here you can see the house where Neruda’s poetry was penned in green ink and learn about the poet-turned-politician’s life. The isle and area surrounding it are still a haven for artists and writers today.
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Pablo Neruda’s House & Museum in Isla Negra
Named by the famous Chilean writer, Pablo Neruda, Isla Negra or “Black Island” was Neruda’s home for 34 years. Today, it’s a museum; here you can see the house where Neruda’s poetry was penned in green ink and learn about the poet-turned-politician’s life. The isle and area surrounding it are still a haven for artists and writers today.
Tour of Casablanca Wineries & Grape Harvest
Chile’s booming wine industry harvests grapes from mid-March until the end of April. Experience the harvesting and wine-making process first-hand at a Casablanca winery. Sampling local wines and indulging in an appetizing Chilean meal completes the day in delightful way.
See Details
Tour of Casablanca Wineries & Grape Harvest
Chile’s booming wine industry harvests grapes from mid-March until the end of April. Experience the harvesting and wine-making process first-hand at a Casablanca winery. Sampling local wines and indulging in an appetizing Chilean meal completes the day in delightful way.
Visit to Mapuche Ruca
The Mapuche are indigenous to Chile, and their history is as rich as it is dramatic. Learn the story from the Mapuche themselves as you engage with this unique culture in a traditional Mapuche ruca, or hut. You will also have the opportunity to experience Mapuche dances, rituals, and a traditional meal.
See Details
Visit to Mapuche Ruca
The Mapuche are indigenous to Chile, and their history is as rich as it is dramatic. Learn the story from the Mapuche themselves as you engage with this unique culture in a traditional Mapuche ruca, or hut. You will also have the opportunity to experience Mapuche dances, rituals, and a traditional meal.
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.
Program Fee Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$13,595
$13,595
International Airfare & Transfers Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$900
$1,600
Immigration Requirements Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$165
$165
Books, Materials and Supplies Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$20
$40
Meals Includes the average expected cost for meals in housing option without a meal plan, such as daily groceries and eating out at restaurants.
$238
$475
Personal Expenses Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$143
$380
Travel Expenses Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$1,188
$2,613
TOTAL EXPENSES
$16,249
$18,868
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.
Students must arrive at the SCL Airport on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.
July 31 - August 04
Orientation
Mandatory PUCV Orientation Week will be held.
August 07
Classes Begin
PUCV University classes begin at on this day.
August 09
Classes Begin
PIIE classes (for international students) begin at PUCV on this day.
September 18 - 22
School Break
Chilean Independence day Break. No PIIE classes will be held during the week.
November 24 - December 01
Classes End
This is the last day of PUCV-PIIE classes at PUCV.
December 04 - 15
Final Exams
Final exams will be held at PUCV.
December 16
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day.