Universidad Privada Boliviana is a private institution founded by the Bolivian business community. It is recognized as a leading university in the country, and has been named as one of the 10 best universities in Latin America for academic strength and one of 25 best for business and economics. 

Universidad Privada Boliviana has three campuses - La PazCochabamba, and Santa Cruz. La Paz and Cochabamba offer the majority of degrees, and the newest Santa Cruz is adding degree programs year by year. The Spanish Language & Culture program is hosted at the La Paz campus.

La Paz Campus: 

Universidad Privada Boliviana, La Paz campus is located in the bustling capital city of Bolivia, one of the highest cities in the world with an altitude of 3,649 meters (about 12,000 feet) above sea level. Nestled between the flat Altiplano and the glacier-topped Cordillera Real mountain range, La Paz is a melting pot of European-influenced cultures and traditional indigenous beliefs. It’s burgeoning café and restaurant scene combined with countless street food vendors means it’s impossible not to gain an appetite for traditional Bolivian dishes. The city boats the world’s longest and highest urban cable car network, which is used for both commuting and sight-seeing. An important political, economic, cultural and sports center of Bolivia, La Paz has been recognized as an official Global City and one of the New 7 Wonders Cities.

Language & Culture Program:

The Intensive Spanish Language Program at Universidad Privada Boliviana is designed for non-Spanish-speaking students and aims to develop Spanish language skills from beginner to advanced levels, tailoring the learning to individual needs and objectives.

ISEP students immerse themselves Bolivian culture and daily life through cultural activities organized by the program and living with a host family in the community. The university has an active student body, and ISEP students can participate in sports teams, cultural activities and student groups. UPB has a "buddy" system to help connect ISEP students with local students and adjust to life in Bolivia.

Course Description

Course Objectives include improving oral fluency, listening comprehension, reading, and writing skills, expanding vocabulary, and developing independent learning strategies.

The program is divided into three levels - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, with specific contents and objectives for each.

Credits Earned

The Intensive Spanish Language Program will take place over 4 modules, 120 hours per module, with 4 hours of daily in-class work and the rest of the day for cultural activities and Spanish practice outsie of the classroom.

Course activities include visits to museums and places of cultural interest in and around La Paz to practice spanish language in real contexts.

Program Classes:

Summer/January Module

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Taller de Expresión Oral y Escrita

 

3 Credits

Técnicas de Comunicación Escrita

 

3 Credits

Historia de Bolivia

 

4 Credits

Literatura Contemporánea

 

3 Credits

Taller de Periodismo

 

(u otros disponibles acorde al major/minor del estudiante)

 

3 - 4 Credits

Website for Course Availability

ISEP STUDENT SERVICES OFFICER Sharlene Casado Garcia 703-567-0761 | scasado@isep.org Thank you for your interest in ISEP Study Abroad! I’m your Student Services Officer and main point of contact here at ISEP. As you search for programs, I’ll be available to answer any questions you might have. Feel free to contact me at any point in your search process for help, tips or advice.

Academics

Undergraduate
(in Spanish)

*This program is OK for Sophomores

Fields of Study

  • Foreign Languages and Literatures Recommended!

    Spanish Language and Literature

Academic Requirements

  • U.S. GPA: 2.75 or higher
  • LPR Required
  • LPR Writing Score: <A1 - Novice Mid-Low
  • LPR Reading Score: <A1 - Novice Mid-Low
  • LPR Listening Score: <A1 - Novice Mid-Low
  • LPR Speaking Score: <A1 - Novice Mid-Low
LPR = ISEP Language Proficiency Report

Special Application Instructions

Passport

All students must have a valid passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a valid passport, we suggest you start the application process as soon as possible 

Visa and Residency 

Students are recommended to obtain a visa in advance of departure from their local Bolivian embassy or consulate. Please review the ISEP Country Handbook for Bolivia for more details. The Bolivian Student Visa costs approximately $50 USD and can take up to 30 days to process. Should there be any difficulties in obtaining a visa in advance of departure to Bolivia, students have the option of entering Bolivia on a tourist visa (approximately $160 USD) and reprocessing their visa to a student visa once in Bolivia. 

Special Needs Support

  • Mental Health
  • Mobility
  • Learning

Other Academic Conditions

Students arrive: Mid January, Beginning of July 

January/Summer module: Mid January, Beginning of July 

Classes start: First week of February, First week of August 

Classes end: Last week of June, Third week of December 

Exams: Take place during the final weeks of classes 

Tips for Finding Courses

Students will be enrolled in the modules described above. For the fourth module, students have the option of selecting other course offerings based on their Spanish language level.

Students who meet the B1 level of Spanish necessary for regular university courses have the option to add a regular university course during their program. Additionally, students with fluency in English have the option of taking a regular university course in English alongside their intensive Spanish language courses.

Academic Restrictions

All students enrolling in courses in Spanish must submit a language evaluation with minimum of a B1 level. Students taking only the Language & Culture modules are not required to have a minimum level of Spanish, though will be requested to complete the Language Proficiency Report for placement purposes. Please speak to your Student Services Officer (SSO) for more details about completing the LPR if you have zero Spanish language proficiency.

Semester & Prices (based on your filters)

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Universidad Privada Boliviana

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ISEP Application Fee US$100

ISEP Acceptance Fee US$450




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