Study Program in Chile - 1997/1998
Universidad de Chile
This study program provides students an opportunity to study
at Chile's leading private university while living in one
of the most interesting and charming of South America's
capitals. Many North Americans find Santiago combines the
climate and feel of Los Angeles, or perhaps Denver, with the
greenery and culture of Boston. Central Chile has four
seasons, but at the opposite months of North America. This
background, plus the exciting process of Chilean society
today, combine to make Chile one of the top choices for study
in Spanish.
Cooperating Institution: Universidad de Chile
The Universidad de Chile, founded in 1842, is now in the
eighth year of building a cooperative relationship with the
State University of New York. The core part of this
relationship involves granting "visiting student"
status to students applying through the SUNY program. The
Universidad de Chile has long been one of
South America's most important educational institutions,
and is now thriving under the return of civilian control of
its governance.
Location: Santiago
The Central Campus of the Universidad de Chile is located in
downtown Santiago, the national capital with a population of
about 4 million. Santiago, at an elevation of around 2,500
feet, is a fascinating historical city dating back to 1541.
The city is at the very foot of the Andes mountains and
combines a pleasant mixture of colonial buildings and parks
with the convenience of modern technology in new structures
and transportation. The city's efficient metro facilities
use the Paris metro technology. While Santiago has very mild
winters, several ski centers are active through the winter
months of July to October, and are but an hours drive up the
mountains.
Academic Program
Students going to Santiago to study at la Chile
will normally enroll in four or five courses for about
fifteen credits. These courses will be selected to meet
individual needs and interests of each student; instruction
will be in Spanish. Obviously, applicants should have strong
Spanish skills and be able to understand lectures in Spanish,
plus have the ability to take notes and write. The program
seeks not just
Spanish majors, but encourages applicants from business,
international relations, history, human services,
environmental science, political science, and so on.The
Universidad de Chile offers a full range of courses in every
field of study
The academic program is designed to permit each student the
greatest possible latitude to explored to understand the
complexities of Chilean society while also learning specific
new material in course work. All important arrangements,
including travel reservations and housing, can be made by the
Southern
Cone Programs' staff. The cost of this entire program,
including travel to and from Chile, is approximately that of
attending a SUNY university or college.
Special alternatives include the chance to enroll in two
university courses (Estudios Latinoamericanos or ELA) designed
for SUNY students: ELA
301
Problemas Ambientales del Desarrollo Economico de Chile
(3 credits) and ELA 302 La Democracia Chilena a fines del siglo
(3 credits). There is an additional course all students
are expected to enroll in: ELA
300
Cuaderno Latinoamericano: Chile
ELA 300 requirements include assigned reading prior to
departure, keeping a journal of your stay in Chile, writing on
a series of structured assignments, and a final essay written
to analyze your experience in Chile.
Internships are available on a competitive basis by prior
arrangement.
Approximate Program Dates
Spring Semester: Arrive in Chile by late February, semester
ends in mid-July.
Fall Semester: Arrive in Chile by late July, semester ends
early December.
Number of Credits
Fifteen credit hours of electives. Graduate credit is
available. And by special arrangement supervised independent
research is available.
Housing and Meals
Students will stay in a variety of situations, depending on
individual choice. The program office in Santiago arranges for
rental of a room in a family home or apartment, or in a
student
residencial, at at cost ranging from $250 to
$350 a month, meals included or kitchen available.
Restaurant meals can be found at modest prices.
Financial Information
Undergraduate tuition for New York resident is $1,700; for
non-residents tuition is set at $4,150. A program fee of
$1,385 is charged all students. Federal and state
financial aid is applicable. Students participating in the
program MUST have medical insurance which provides coverage
while travelling and studying abroad.
Transportation
International: Students in the program may
choose to travel together to Chile via our group flight with
reservation arrangement made by the student. Or you may use
the program's group rate to travel at a time of your own
choosing. The program fare is for a year ticket with an open
return date.
In Chile: Students are responsible for their own
local transportation and other travel expenses. Public
transportation in Chile is accessible and reasonable.
Transportation from the Santiago airport upon arrival with the
group will be provided by the program.
Eligibility
All undergraduates, with an ability to participate in a
Spanish language classroom. Minimum GPA required: 2.5
cumulative (on 4.0 scale). This program enrolls all majors.
The program is open to non-SUNY
students. Arrangements are also possible for graduate
students.
Application Forms
Prospective students must use the standard SUNY international
study program application form, copies of which are available
from the SUNY Plattsburgh Latin American Studies Program
office of SUNY Offices of International Education. Most
successful applications involve phone conversations with
Carmen Madariaga, Executive Director, or William Culver,
Program Director. Applicants are encouraged to call either of
them or to provide your phone number with any initial letter
of inquiry.
Deadline for receiving a completed application for the Fall
Semester is April 1.
Deadline for receiving a completed application for the Spring
Semester is November 1.
For Further Information, please contact:
Carmen Madariaga-Culver, Executive Director
Latin American Southern Cone Programs
State University of New York
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, New York, 12901-2681
Phone: 1-518-564-2395/5827
Fax: 1-518-564-2300/3932
E-mail: socone@splava.cc.plattsburgh.edu