CIEE Liberal Arts Program in Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, Chile

  Chile

• Valparaiso: 
Valparaiso

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 21 weeks: mid-July-mid-December; Spring 21 weeks: mid-February-mid July; Academic Year 52 weeks: mid-July-mid-July; Calendar Year 45 weeks: mid-February-mid-December

Description: The Liberal Arts program enables students to gain firsthand knowledge of contemporary issues and cultural patterns, helping them better understand Chilean society and develop a critical appreciation of Chilean history and identity. This is accomplished through CIEE courses, cultural activities, and excursions. The program also meets the academic needs of students through regular course matriculation at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV). In addition, the program aims to help students perfect their Spanish language skills through daily interaction in the local community and through volunteer opportunities.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, Chile began welcoming participants in 1997. It is an attractive option for several reasons, including the academic offerings available at PUCV, as well as the student-friendly nature of both Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. The program is intended for students who have at least six semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, and are looking for a program that permits direct enrollment with Chilean university students, along with provides personalized instruction and support through both academic and non-academic activities. Given the array of disciplines and courses available to participants, the program is suitable for undergraduate students with strong Spanish language skills from a variety of majors. All courses are taught in Spanish.

Academic Culture
Average class size is 20 to 30 students, and CIEE students may be the only foreigners in some fields of study. The teaching style tends to be lecture format, with emphasis placed on memorization and note-taking. It can take awhile to learn how to study effectively in the Chilean system, especially in terms of acquiring reading material and knowing what the professor expects. Chilean classmates are often an excellent source of help. University life is quite different in Chile compared to the United States, since the Chilean university is primarily a professional school. While CIEE students have the opportunity to study in almost every department, this is not the case for Chilean students, who study in one discipline area exclusively. The academic year program includes two semesters of study and can begin either during the North American fall or spring semester. Academic year students who begin their studies during the North American fall semester have a nearly three-month break between semesters. There is a break of about two weeks between the (North American) spring and fall semesters.

Highlights:

• Gain an understanding of Chile through CIEE courses that focus on Chilean heritage, identity, literature, cinema, and history; get a language partner
  
• Take advantage of community service and volunteer opportunities, including working in local schools, shelters, and nongovernmental organizations
  
• Participate in educational field trips to Pucón and Santiago de Chile, as well as in cultural and educational activities, including city tours, concerts, museums, theater performances, soccer matches, and a visit to a rural community

In addition, there are two weekend excursions each semester. Last year, students visited Pucón, an eco-tourism center on Lake Villarica in the south of Chile, where they visited and participated in the daily life of a Mapuche community and took advantage of the many outdoor activities for which the region is known. The second excursion varies due to seasonal weather factors and available current attractions. In the past, students have participated in guided tours in Santiago, a walking tour of the historical part of the capital of Chile, guided visits to the Pre-Colombian Museum of Palacio Cousino, a tour of the copper mine El Teniente and historic mining village nearby, among other educational and cultural activities

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes