University of Wisconsin - Stout

A Study Abroad Experience in Santiago, Chile

Courses offered in Spanish

Applications currently on hold: please check back for updates.

Program Cost: Contact the Office of International Education
Spring Dates: March - July (Spring Only)
Deadline for Spring: October 1, 2007
Updated: December 27, 2007

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Program Description

The study abroad program at the Universidad de Chile (UC) is an experience designed for students in the Spanish Minor at UW-Stout or those speak fluent Spanish. The spring semester is recommended due to more desirable fall like weather. The program takes place in the capital city of Santiago, Chile. Santiago, the social, cultural and commercial capital of Chile, was founded in 1541. It is situated 70 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Chile's Central Valley between the Andes Mountains to the east and the coastal range to the west. The universities origins can be traced back to 1622, but it wasn’t until 1843, after the country gained its independence from Spain, that it was officially founded as the Universidad de Chile. The university has 23,000 undergraduate students and 4,000 graduate students studying in over sixteen majors. An interesting note about the university is that all, but three of Chile’s presidents graduated from this university.

Santiago, Chile

map of ChileThe Universidad de Chile is a centralized campus situated in a city of 5.8 million people-one of the largest in Latin America. Santiago is full of cultural activities and zest. Points of interest include the Bohemian neighborhood of Barrio Bellavista, a railway station designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the downtown square of Plaza de Armas. The climate of Santiago is hot and dry in the summer (November-March) and humid and cooler in the winter (June-August).

Courses

During the semester abroad in Chile, students will take four courses equivalent to twelve credits at UW-Stout. Students will take courses in one of three ‘suites’. They are: elementary, intermediate, and advanced. Each ‘suite’ will be compromised of four courses. These will be the four courses UW-Stout students will enroll in at the appropriate level: Spanish Phonology, Spanish for Academic Purposes, Chilean Culture, and Spanish Grammar. The UW-Stout Language Department will advise each participant of what level or suite they feel the student should be enrolled in. However, students will take a placement test upon arrival to the university that will determine final placement. A meeting with the Language Department at UW-Stout can thoroughly explain this process regarding courses and placement at the Universidad de Chile.

Estimated Costs

Students will pay a program fee to UW-Stout to cover the cost of tuition and fees, health insurance, and the International Student ID Card. Meals, housing, airfare, passport/visa fees, and personal expenses are paid directly by the students. Eligible students can use their financial aid to help pay these expenses. Need based scholarships are available to eligible Wisconsin residents.

Eligibility

Students must have be at least a junior at time of participation; completed at least two years of Spanish, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale; and be in good academic standing at time of participation.

Housing and Meals

Students will live with Chilean individuals seeking room/house mates or rent apartments on their own. Arrangements with Chilean room/house mates may be a more affordable as renting can be quite expensive in Santiago. The students will begin to arrange this as they will receive a list of housing opportunities along with their acceptance letter from the Universidad de Chile. The International Office at UC also has a posting board of apartment and those wanting roommates. Mrs. Ilse Hartung, of the UW-Stout Language Department, can also provide more information on how to acquire housing while studying at UC. Meals are not part of the students housing. They will need to purchase and prepare their own meals.

Passport/Visa

All students must have a valid U.S. passport stamped with a Chilean visa for entrance into Chile It is important to remember that the passport is needed in order to receive the visa. The Chilean visa fee is $100. It is a very time-sensitive and precise process to be finalized in person at the Chicago consulate. There is a four-five week turn around in receiving the visa. The Office of International Education will provide assistance with the visa.

Application Procedures

Please make an appointment with the Office of International Education (OIE), 400 Bowman Hall, to review and receive the application materials. Completed forms are returned to OIE. A $100 nonrefundable application fee is paid to the Student Business Services Office located in the Administration Building at time of application. Once accepted by UW-Stout, a $200 nonrefundable service fee will be required to hold a place in the program.

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