Study Program in Chile - 1997/1998
Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
This international program provides students an opportunity to
study at a major Chilean private university taking elective
courses in most fields of study, while living in a colorful
and historic seaport. This port city, just over an hour's
drive from Santiago, is famous for its seafood, night life and
warm people. It is the city Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda wrote
about so emotively, creating images of the city's people ,
the sea smells, and the port's flowery mild climate. Chile
has four seasons, but at the opposite months of North
America. This program in Valparaíso is for independent
people with strong language skills.
Cooperating Institution: Universidad Católica de
Valparaiso
The Universidad Católica de Valparaiso offers a number
of programs, most all of which are available to students from
SUNY. "Visiting student" status will be granted to
students applying through the SUNY program. U. Católica
de Valparaíso is especially strong in marine sciences,
but also has all of the liberal arts curricula, including
important programs in business, history and public
administration.
Location: Valparaiso
The campus of the Universidad Católica de Valparaiso is
located in the center of Valparaíso, close by the new
national congress building. The population of the city is
about 300,000, and in combination with the adjoining resort
city of Viña del Mar, 500,000 people. The city is
stretched along the coast at the foot of the coastal
mountains; residential neighborhoods climb the hills and give
the city its distinctive appearance. Starting at the north end
of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar offers an
interesting contrast with its beaches, casino and elegant
shops.
Academic Program
Students going to Valparaíso to study will normally
enroll in the four or five courses for about fifteen credits.
These courses will be arranged to meet individual needs and
interests of each student; instruction will be in Spanish.
Obviously, applicants should be able to understand lectures in
Spanish and have the ability to take notes and write. The
program seeks not just Spanish majors, but encourages
applicants from liberal arts majors as well as business.
The academic program is designed to permit each student the
greatest possible latitude to explore and to understand the
complexities of Chilean society while also learning specific
new material in course work. Students in the Valparaíso
program should be strong in
Spanish, and comfortable in an international setting. While
the Southern Cone Programs will provide support through our
Santiago office, the student will be more on his or her own
than if studying in Santiago. Members of our staff are in
Valparaíso about once a week. And the International
Student Office of the Universidad Católica will do all
they can to help with this full immersion into Chilean society.
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.
Internship at the Chilean Congress and other sites are
available on a competitive basis by prior arrangement.
Supervised independent research projects may also be arranged
(i.e., for honors theses, senior projects, etc.).
Approximate Program Dates
Spring Semester: Arrive in Chile by late February, semester
ends mid -July.
Fall Semester: Arrive in Chile by late July, semester ends
early December.
Housing
Students may choose to stay with Chilean families, at a cost
of about $250-$350 a month, meals included, or in a
student residencial at a somewhat lower cost. Students
mostly locate in Viña del Mar. Rent will be paid
directly by the student to the host family or
residencial one month at a time. Our Santiago office
will locate housing in advance. Also modestly priced
restaurant meals are available in Valparaíso and
Viña del Mar.
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. Applicable federal and
state financial aid is available. 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.
Local: 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). 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