This semester or academic year program for students in advanced Spanish offers a combination of special CIEE courses and direct enrollment with Chilean students in regular courses at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and the Universidad de Chile. A special option in Human Rights is available. The program is designed to provide first-hand knowledge of contemporary issues and cultural patterns in Chile. This is done through a combination of CIEE courses and orientation, cultural activities and field trips, options for non-credit community service, and family home stay. Daily interaction with host nationals and the commitment to use Spanish at all times while at the center and elsewhere offers the opportunity to significantly perfect language skills. This program is administered by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) on behalf of a consortium of which The University of Iowa is a member. Participants join a group of students from other U.S. colleges and universities. UI students earn resident credit on this program.

Academic Program

The program begins with a mandatory three-day orientation followed by a pre-session CIEE course on Contemporary Chile. During the semester, students take between four and six classes (contact hours in courses at the local universities vary greatly.) A maximum of two CIEE courses and one Spanish language course can be taken during the semester; students are required to take some courses at the local universities.

Matriculation in regular Chilean university courses greatly expands the subjects offered to include art – drawing, photography, engraving, pottery; anthropology and archeology, history, journalism, international relations, geography, sociology, psychology, and literature and linguistics.

The Human Rights Certificate is issued by the School of Law of the Universidad Central by taking two specified classes taught to CIEE participants by faculty at the School of Law. Students may also take only one as part of their regular course load.

Students can obtain a Latin American Studies Certificate from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile by successfully completing five PUCC courses related to Latin America. Practically, this would necessitate year-long participation.

Students earn resident credit on this program. They typically earn between 17 sh and 20 sh in the semester.

Program Dates

Program dates are tied to the southern academic calendar. Fall semester runs mid-July to mid-December. Spring semester runs mid-February to early July. Students contemplating study abroad for a year are encouraged to consider beginning in spring for a calendar year abroad running mid-February – mid-December.

For More Information

Students are required to meet with the program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office before initiating an application. Program details are found at this CIEE webpage.

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile & Universidad de Chile

"La Catolica” is the country’s leading private university. Seventeen schools offer courses at four campuses around the city. Universidad de Chile is the major public university with 13 schools. Student numbers are 18,000 and 20,000 respectively. The socio-demographic background of the two student bodies is quite distinct, accompanied by differences in class size, infra-structure, and political orientation. Unique as programs go, access to enrollment in both is a window on diversity.

Santiago

Chile’s cosmopolitan capital is a modern Latin American city with a population of six million, much cultural activity and a lively night life. Situated against the mountain range, the rate of pollution fluctuates any given day with the traffic, the season and the winds. It has a temperate climate and easy access to many outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, river-rafting and horseback riding.

Living Arrangements

Housing with Chilean host families is considered an integral part of the program. Housing and three meals a day are included in the program fee (only two meals during orientation in Santiago and on weekend trips). Year students are responsible for their own housing and meals during breaks.

Travel Arrangements

Students make their own travel arrangements to arrive in Santiago by a designated date. Specific information will be provided in post-acceptance materials from CIEE.

Eligibility

Overall GPA 2.75; 5 semesters of college level Spanish or equivalent. A Spanish language course during the past year is recommended.

Costs

The Program Fee is charged on the U Bill and covers tuition, housing, meals, group excursions, orientation and other support services, an iNext travel card that provides insurance and other travel benefits, and the UI administrative fee.

The program fee for Spring 2012 was $13,920 for students that are classified resident, $15,396 for non-residents. Additional costs include a UI administrative fee, round-trip airfare, books and supplies, and personal expenses.

For current information on the Program Fee and an estimate of overall cost consult the program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office.

How to Apply

Students complete a CIEE application on the web. They must first meet with the program adviser in the UI Study Abroad office for instructions and to obtain a UIowa CIEE program Application sheet. Applications are considered on a rolling basis and early application is advisable.

Application Deadline

13/1 for spring, 3/1 for fall/academic year. Applications may be accepted through October 20/March 24 on a space-available basis.

Following acceptance, students receive arrival and other information from the Portland office, as well as a Program Handbook with comprehensive student information for Chile.

All students attend a general TIPS orientation for UI Students Studying Abroad. Additional individualized meetings address specific topics, as well as billing and credit procedures at Iowa.

CIEE also conducts online orientations for its students.