Study in Chile for a Semester or Year!
Institution
The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), founded in 1928, has established itself as one of the most prestigious, traditional higher educational institutions in Chile. The student body numbers over 14,000 students.
Location
The city of Valparaíso is the cultural and legislative capital, and the main commercial harbor, of Chile. You can spend a semester taking in all the city has to offer: from colonial-era architecture in its historic downtown area to sensational seafood and, of course, beaches. With a population of more than one million, the region has a multicultural flavor. Seventy miles from the capital city of Chile, Santiago, Valparaíso fascinates visitors with its history, geography, and architecture.
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Late July to Mid December (Semester 2 in Chile)
- Spring Semester: Late February to Mid June (Semester 1 in Chile)
Housing
All students are housed with host families and receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the host family.
As PUCV is a full exchange program students will pay the Full Exchange Program Fee to Appalachian. PUCV will cover the housing costs and students will receive meals in their homestays during the program.
Financial
Program Costs
Paid to Appalachian State
1The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester |
Academic Year |
| Airfare |
$1400 - $2000 |
$1400 - $2000 |
| Additional Meals |
$100 - $200 |
$200 - $400 |
| 2Personal Expenses |
$800 - $1500 |
$1600 - $3000 |
| Books and Materials |
$150 - $300 |
$300 - $600 |
| Local Transportation |
$200 - $400 |
$400 - $600 |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
$160 |
$160 |
| Travel to Consulate for Visa Appt |
$100 - $300 |
$100 - $300 |
| Passport |
$150 |
$150 |
| 5Appalachian Student Health Insurance |
$1110 |
$2220 |
| 6Personal Travel and Spending |
$800 - $1500 |
$1600 - $3000 |
2Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, clothing, utilities, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
5Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
6Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates. To see a total of the estimated costs for this program please visit the program budget sheets: Fall, Spring, Academic Year.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
PUCV offers several course tracks to visiting students. Students with advanced levels of Spanish can enroll in classes with local Chilean students. PUCV also offers students the option of taking courses taught in Spanish with other international students. For students with limited or no Spanish language options are available to take Spanish language classes and also courses taught in English.
For a listing of expected course offerings please download the PUCV Course Guide. All of the elective courses listed in the guide may not be offered each semester so students should have backup selections approved.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Students participating on the PUCV program will be required to enroll in 12-18 credits per semester. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.