Study in Chile | Spanish Language Schools in Chile

Study Abroad and Spanish Learning Center
in Valparaíso, Chile:
Programs and Courses

You may design your own Academic Year and Semester Study Abroad program in Chile and attend classes with your Chilean peers. You can choose from a wide range of disciplines that include many areas of academic studies.

Semester and Academic Year Programs

Accreditation

Universidad Católica de Valparaíso is a nationally accredited university and is currently one of the most important universities in the country, offering a wide variety of professional programs to over 11.600 students. Its academic programs allow students to choose from a wide range of disciplines that include areas of administration and economics, agriculture, ocean sciences, art and architecture, basic sciences, social sciences, legal sciences, religious sciences, education, humanities and engineering.

Transcripts

Upon program completion you will receive an official transcript endorsed by the Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. With the transcripts, we will attach an explanation of the grading system and its North American equivalents.

You should check with an advisor at your institution concerning whether or not additional information (course syllabus, description, etc.) is required to guarantee credit acceptance. We will send such information upon request.

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Courses and Services

University Regular Courses.
Students can take many of the University Regular Courses according to their needs, their level of Spanish, and academic knowledge. All classes are held at the host university. There are no special language proficiency requirements; however since all the coursework is in Spanish, it is recommendable to have a reasonable background in Spanish: at least three semesters of formal instruction.

Click here to review programs of study.

Academic Registration Advising.
All our students are advised about their courses, their student visa status and any other particular requirements of their host university.

Spanish Courses. (Group courses)


1. Intensive Cultural and Speaking Spanish courses (90 Hours, 6 credits)
2. Writing Spanish course (60 Hours, 3 credits)
3. Ortophony and Pronunciation (60 Hours, 4 credits)
4. Grammar Course for Foreigners (60 Hours, 4 credits)
   
   A student can take up to 6 credits on Spanish courses. Rest of academic load must be completed with regular courses.

Extracurricular Activities.
Activities such as Video Production, Photography, Chorus, Theater, Public Speaking, Vitraux, Musical Instruments, etc.

Part-time Internships.
Unpaid part-time internships in companies and organizations of Vina del Mar and Valparaíso are sometimes available for students who have acquired a good command of the Spanish language.

In addition, a semester program includes:


• Access to the Internet. E-mail account service.
  
  
• Access to a bus pass to pay less in buses.
  
  
• Student visa certificate. The majority of Chilean universities require that students obtain visas prior to departure. You should be prepared to start working on this as soon as you have been accepted.
  
  
• Orientation and On-site Advising. The University provides orientation and Local Advising for those students that come over independently. The international student advisor oversees the fieldtrips and looks after the general well-being of the students while they are in Chile.
  
  
• Housing and Board. To encourage the experience of total immersion in the richness of Chilean life and culture, we recommend our students to live with a Chilean family. Living with a Chilean family allows students to further enhance their Spanish language skills as they need to communicate with the host family members. This option includes three meals a day, seven days a week for the official period of the program. Students' laundry will be taken care once a week.
  
  
• Cultural Excursions. To make the student's immersion program complete, we offer them excursions to tourist local places, such as Fundación Renzo Pecchenino (Museo Lukas);Museo Arqueológico Francisco Fonck (an archaeological museum); Congreso Nacional (National Congress); Valparaíso hills, landscapes and typical funiculars and/or a boat trip in the port of Valparaíso.
  
  
• Weekend Excursions: (*) some other places worthy to be visited are within the 5th region or near (4th or Metropolitan). Some of the most favourites routes are: Isla Negra (Pablo Neruda's Pacific Ocean house); Pomaire ; Algarrobo, Zapallar, Maitencillo (beautiful beaches); Horcón (a small fishing village); Valle Nevado (ski center in the Andes mountains, the Museo de Bellas Artes, the Chilean Museum of pre-Columbian Art, the Cerro Santa Lucía, La Chascona (one of Pablo Neruda's homes), the Central Market; La Serena, La Recova market; the Archaeological museum; Valle del Elqui (home of important observatories); Monte Grande (birthplace of Nobel poet Gabriela Mistral).
  
  (*) Optional trip. These excursions are not included in the program fee.
  
  
• Airport Pick up

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Mixed Program Concept

You can start your Semester Program in January with participation in the January Open Spanish Program, have an opportunity to explore Chile and meet people in February (independent travel) and enroll in the academic courses program of your choice March through July. In addition to academic studies, you can also enroll in intensive Spanish classes.

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Spanish Language Programs

Our Language Programs consist of interesting courses of Spanish Language and Chilean Culture at the UCV. The use of direct methods as well as small class size provide students with the personal attention they need. The Spanish Language Program is made up of conversation, grammar, vocabulary and lectures on Chile and its culture. Courses are set up in two different ways: Open Programs (for students from all over the world) and Closed Group Programs (specially taught for a group of students from a University, Company or Agency).

Open Spanish Courses