IFSA-Chilean Universities Program in Valparaíso

Program Details

Program Location Valparaíso/Viña del Mar, Chile
Sponsor IFSA-Butler
Program Type Co-sponsored
Course # SA 34003
Duration Semester or
2 Semesters
Upcoming Program Dates
To Be Announced
Current Program Dates
Spring 2024 02/27/24 to 07/13/24
Past Dates
Fall 2023 07/31/23 to 12/15/23
Page Links
Click here to apply for this program!
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Overview

BRING YOUR DEDICATION TO SOCIAL JUSTICE NO SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS REQUIRED

Colorful, progressive, and welcoming, Valparaíso is known for charm and stunning settings as much as its edgy art scene and politically active student body. This colorful seaport city is an ideal place to learn alongside other dedicated peers — and put theory into practice in ways that make a difference.

No Spanish skills? No problem! Take classes in English or Spanish with Chilean students, choosing from offerings at one of Latin America’s leading universities, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Go beyond the classroom and get closer to Valpo’s current challenges with a community experience that suits your interests, whether that’s helping Valpo youth, pitching in on a marketing campaign, or delivering environmental education. Pay it forward—and get to know Chile’s warm, friendly people even better!

If you’re interested in learning more about the culture, you can choose to team up with a language partner for conversational practice and work with academic tutors. Living with a carefully selected host family provides even more opportunity to improve and experience local values and traditions firsthand.

The spring semester of this program runs from late February to mid-July. The fall semester runs from early August to mid-December. 

 

For more program information, please visit the program website. This program is sponsored by:IFSA-Butler.

Eligibility

IFSA-Chilean Universities Program in Valparaíso


GPA Requirement: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none


Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Liberal Arts] [College of Health and Human Sciences]
Specifically from: HK, PSY, PUBH, & SLHS (HHS)

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.


Academic Program

The Chilean Universities Program allows you to enroll in classes at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. In addition, IFSA offers a class built around community engagement. This exclusive class, taught in English by local professors, is intended to provide you with an understanding of the events and issues that make Chile what it is today.

All students will either take a 1-credit Essential Spanish course (for students with no prior Spanish and who do not enroll in a 3-credit Spanish course) or enroll in the appropriate beginner, intermediate or advanced 3-credit Spanish course. 

The remainder of courses will be chosen from the offerings of the universities listed above and may be taught in English or Spanish.

Students may also participate in community-based learning or volunteering which places them with a local non-profit organization. 

For more information on courses, please click here and click on the academics tab.


Excursions

Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.

Below are examples from previous terms; outings may be different for your program. We’ll make every effort to run them all, but sometimes things we can’t our control, such as local regulations and health protocols, get in the way. As result, we cannot guarantee activities and excursions.

Activities

  • City-as-Text: We will use the city of Valparaíso as the frame to understand the history and socioeconomic aspects of a port city, including the transportation system and street art.
  • Urban Street Art: You will attend a presentation by one of the popular Valparaíso street artists to understand what urban art is and then take a tour of the city’s street art.
  • Politics in Valparaíso: You will attend a lecture regarding the latest political demonstrations and visit the Chilean Congress building located in downtown Valparaíso.
  • Pandemic and the Economy: This event will engage you in a discussion about how the pandemic was handled and the effects it has had on the local economy. A guest lecturer will address specific issues around how the population lived through this worldwide event.

Excursions

  • Wine in Chile Trip: You will visit a family-run vineyard to understand the importance of wine in the local culture and Chilean economy.
  • Santiago Trip: Leave the coastal community of Valparaíso for mountain valley city of Santiago. Touring the downtown of Chile’s capital city will allow for ample opportunity to compare and contrast it with the port cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

Housing

Housing on this program is a homestay. A homestay is with a local family and includes three meals per day. Only one IFSA student is placed with each family. Students with limited Spanish skills will be housed with families that speak English. You will have a single bedroom with a bed, shared bathroom, and a desk or other designated place to study. Laundry is included. You may occasionally buy snacks and eat at restaurants beyond what is provided by homestay families. 

Estimated Program Costs

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss. 

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

Program fee includes tuition, orientation, academic advising services, some activities and excursions, insurance, and support from IFSA staff.

Housing fee includes homestay housing with three meals per day and laundry services.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Spring 2024

Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee $13,595.00
Study Abroad Fee $914.10
Housing $3,400.00
Purdue International Insurance (per month) $32.00
Program Discount for Purdue Students - $2,000.00

Approximate additional costs per semester
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare $1,000.00
Local Transportation $250.00
Visa $120.00
Books and Supplies $40.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $0.00 - $690.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos) $175.00

Financial Aid

IFSA-Butler offers a monthly payment plan option for its fees as well as scholarships. Please see its website for more information.

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.


Application Deadlines

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Program Application Deadline
Most Fall Semester Programs Mar 1
Most Spring Semester Programs Sep 15



Returnees Information

IFSA-Chilean Universities Program in Valparaíso

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.


Resources

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.


For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383 or email studyabroad@purdue.edu.