CIEE Liberal Arts Program in Valparaiso, Chile

  Chile

• Valparaiso: 
Valparaiso

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Throughout the year 
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 provides students with first-hand knowledge of contemporary issues to better understand Chilean society and develop a critical appreciation of Chilean history and identity. This is accomplished through CIEE courses and cultural activities and excursions. A second goal is to meet the academic needs of students, achieved through regular course matriculation at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV). A third goal is to perfect Spanish language skills through daily interaction in the local community and volunteer opportunities.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center in Valparaíso began welcoming participants in 1997. It is an attractive site for several reasons, including the academic offerings available at the host institution, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, and 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 desire a program that permits direct enrollment with Chilean university students and personalized instruction and support through both academic and non-academic activities. Given the array of disciplines and courses available to participants in Valparaíso, 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 20-30 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 a while 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 with 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 only study in one discipline area.

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 or spring semester. Academic year students who begin their studies during the North American fall semester have approximately a 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 focusing on Chilean identity through themes of globalization, literature, and history
  
• Take advantage of community service and volunteer opportunities including working in local schools, shelters, and organizations
  
• Participate in educational field trips to Pucón, in the southern lake district of Chile, and La Serena, home to Gabriela Mistral, Chilean national poet
  
• Tutorials support students in the Chilean university system

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

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

Experience Required: yes