IFSA - Chilean Universities Program, Valparaíso

WHY STUDY IN VALPARAÍSO & VIÑA DEL MAR?

Valparaíso, Chile’s second-largest city, enjoys an ideal location between the mountains and the sea. Known for its romantic elegance of cobbled streets and Victorian houses, the city’s natural amphitheater includes 41 hills with spectacular ocean views. Valparaíso’s Historic Quarter, a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage site, and its vibrant life as the country’s “Cultural Capital” add to its charm. Twin city Viña del Mar is Chile’s premier coastal urban center and boasts beautiful beaches and stunning coastline, lavish gardens, subtropical atmosphere, cinemas, and dance clubs.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

We offer semester study on the Chilean Universities Program in beautiful Valparaíso and Viña del Mar for students from zero to advanced Spanish language experience. Here you can enroll in classes at one of two different universities alongside local and international students, and take advantage of an IFSA class built around community engagement. 

SIGNATURE IFSA CLASS

Communities in Action: Valparaíso

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.

SPANISH LANGUAGE CLASSES

The Programa Internacional de Intercambio Estudiantil (PIIE) at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso offers Spanish language classes at beginning through advanced levels as well as Chilean culture classes that are accessible to students without any Spanish language background.

Essential Spanish

If you’ve never studied Spanish before, and you decide not to take an elective language class, you’ll take this introductory seminar to contemporary Spanish language and culture taught intensively during the first weeks of the program. 

DIRECT ENROLL CLASSES

To complete your course load, you will select courses with locals at one of our partner universities. 

• Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
• Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María

Featured Direct Enroll Classes in English

• Socio-Environmental Latin American History
• Human Rights in Latin America
• Political and Social Change in Chile and Latin America
• Gender-Based Violence
• Cross-Cultural Encounters with the Native Mapuche People
• Chilean Winemaking
• Atmospheric Pollution and Climate Change
• Introduction to Sustainable Transportation Projects
• Every-day Botany: Human Use of Plants
• Metaheuristics
• Thermodynamics
• Introduction to Construction Engineering
• Restoration and Conservation in Heritage Constructions

Featured Science and Engineering Departments

• Astrophysics
• Chemical and Environmental Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil and Construction Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial Design and Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
• Physics

CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS

Program activities are designed to enhance your intercultural competence by developing your understanding of the local culture and people. Activities are optional, but they are included in your total program fee. They vary each term based on availability, but activities may include:

• City-as-Text
• Urban Street Art
• Politics in Valparaíso
• Pandemic and the Economy

IFSA excursions are included in your total program fee and though these are optional, most students choose to participate. They vary each term based on availability, but excursions may include:

• Isla Negra Trip
• Wine in Chile Trip
• Santiago Trip

SCHOLARSHIP & FINANCIAL AID

We believe that study abroad should be within reach of every student, so we offer a wide range of funding opportunities for all our participants including scholarships, grants, the Work-to-Study program, the UpFront Advance program, and the Fill the Gap program. Additionally, IFSA accepts financial aid transfers and credit card payments. Explore how to fund your study abroad plans at IFSA-Butler.org/scholarships-financial-aid.

INCLUDED IN YOUR IFSA PROGRAM

• Academic Support
• Administrative Fees and Applications Fees
• Airport Pickup
• Activities and Excursions (including transportation and meals)
• Guaranteed Housing
• International Medical Insurance
• Internet Access in Housing
• Internship, Directed Research, and Volunteer Opportunities (on many programs)
• Meals (on some programs)
• Official Transcript with U.S. Credit Translation
• On-site Orientation
• On-site Staff Support (including in-person meetings and emergencies)
• Pre-arrival Advising
• Tuition

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information on this program, please visit Chilean Universities Program, Valparaíso on the IFSA website. You may also reach out to us at studyabroad@ifsa-butler.org and 800.858.0229.

Application Procedure:

STEP 1: Investigate Programs

Use the Program Finder to explore the more than 100 IFSA study abroad program options. For guidance selecting the best program for you, call 800.858.0229 or schedule a 15-minute consultation with our Engagement Specialist.

STEP 2: Apply to Study Abroad with a Specific Program

When you find the right program, select Apply Now. You will create an account in the IFSA Student Portal, following the instructions to provide additional information as requested. Based on the program you choose, you will have a dedicated IFSA Program Advisor to help you through the application process. The application wizard will populate with items that you can get started on right away.

STEP 3: Complete Application Items

Be sure to complete all of the application items no later than your program’s deadline. Your home university may have internal deadlines as well, so be sure to check with the study abroad office.

STEP 4: Submit Your Application

Once all application items in the portal are complete, your IFSA Program Advisor will process your application and let you know about how long an admissions decision will take.

Every application will require the following:

• An official transcript for all college and university work you have completed to date.
• A passport valid for six months after your program end date.
• Program approval from your home university.
• Additional items based on the program you choose.
• Some programs may require an academic recommendation from a professor.