Study in Chile (in English, Spanish) - ISEP Exchange
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso is located in Valparaíso, a thriving cultural capital of Chile with one of the country’s most important seaports. The artsy and bohemian nature of the city has long attracted artists, including poet Pablo Neruda, and boasts some of the best street art in Latin America. The region is also home to beautiful beaches and the splendid Cordillera de Los Andes mountains. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaíso’s narrow cobblestone streets, colorful architecture and unique system of trams, funiculars and escaleras (stairways) provide endless opportunities for exploration.
Established in 1928, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso was the first university founded in the region of Valparaíso and the fourth university founded in Chile. Today, PUCV is recognized as one of the most prestigious, traditional higher educational institutions in the country, and is ranked as a top university in Latin America by QS World University Rankings. The university welcomes over 850 international students each year.
ISEP students immerse themselves in Chilean culture and daily life by taking university classes with local students and living with a homestay family in the community. The university has an active student body, and ISEP students can participate in sports teams, cultural activities and student groups.
Course Description
Deepen your fluency in Spanish and broaden your understanding of Chilean life by taking language and culture classes at PUCV. For those who already have an advanced Spanish language skillset, direct enroll in almost any program at PUCV including Psychology, Political Science, Biology & Natural Sciences, Aquaculture, Food Engineering, Business and many more! To help get you started exploring the possibilities, the chart below highlights some of the more popular classes students have taken in the past.
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to take 180-225 hours of classes (4-5 classes) which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 12-15 U.S. Credit Hours. Each course will be worth approximately 45 hours.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Sample Classes Available:
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Area Studies |
Foreign Languages and Literatures (Spanish) |
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History (in Spanish) |
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Modern History of Chile |
Spanish as a Second Language (I-VI)
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Human Rights in Latin America |
History of Modern Chile |
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Pre-Hispanic Art & Society in Chile |
Political & Social Change in Chile and Latin America |
Historical Research Methodology |
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Regional & Urban History of Valparaíso |
Modernization and Revolution: The Bases of the Contemporary World |
History of Chile 19th Century |
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Latin American History |
Cross- Cultural Encounters with the Native Mapuche People |
First Cultures of America and Chile |
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
All students studying at PUCV must have an A1 level in Spanish. Students taking regular university courses in Spanish must have a B2 level in Spanish. Students from non-English speaking countries looking to take courses in English must have a B2 level in English.
Remember that PUCV follows the Southern Hemisphere calendar. Students wishing to study for a full year in the Southern Hemisphere should consider starting their program at the beginning of the academic year in January. Be sure to search for courses using the correct semester parameters: Southern Hemisphere SM1 is March to July, Southern Hemisphere SM2 is August to December
Students arrive: Last week of February, Last week of July
Classes start: First week of March, First week of August
Classes end: First week of July, Second week of December
Exams: End of June/Early July, Mid December (Exam dates depend on course)
Courses for International Students in English and Spanish
Click on the course names at this link to view syllabi for the courses open to incoming international students. PIIE courses are designed specifically for international students and include course material in both English and Spanish. Students can take Spanish as a second language courses from Beginner to Advanced.
Regular University Courses in Spanish
Access the Programas PUCV folder to view syllabi for the courses open to incoming international students. Courses with an odd number (1,3,5,7) listed for 'Semestre' are offered March - July. Courses with an even number (2,4,6,8) are offered August – December. Courses listed in the Programas PUCV folder are some of the courses available for ISEP students and is a tool to help students have an idea of what the academic offerings look like.
Courses in Architecture & Design are closed to ISEP students.
Some classes from the following departments are offered on a full-year basis only (March to December): law, philosophy, music, and special education. International students can take these courses only if they are attending PUCV for the full academic year (March to December); otherwise, no credit will be awarded.
