Academics

Academic Program

The CIEE Study Center in Valparaíso began welcoming participants in 1997. The program is intended for students who have at least three years of college-level Spanish or the equivalent, and desire a program that permits direct enrollment with Chilean university students and personalized instruction and support through both academic and non-academic activities. Given the array of disciplines and courses available to participants in Valparaíso, the program is suitable for undergraduate students with strong Spanish language skills from a variety of majors. All courses are taught in Spanish.

All students are required to enroll in one of the two CIEE courses: Chilean and Latin American Identity: The Challenges of Globalization or Contemporary Hispano-American Short Stories. Students may enroll in a maximum of two CIEE courses. In addition, students enroll in 3-4 courses offered at PUCV.

Academic year students are not required to take a CIEE course during their second semester. Continuing students from the CIEE Study Center in Santiago must take one of the CIEE courses during their semester in Valparaíso.

A listing of courses can be found at:

CIEE - Valparaíso Program

Students take part in the CIEE Community Language Commitment by speaking Spanish at all times (except in emergencies). This fosters a learning community that contributes to both Spanish language proficiency and understanding of Chilean society.

Non-credit volunteer work allows students to obtain a comprehensive understanding of Chilean culture and society through a personal and out-of-classroom experience. CIEE facilitates these opportunities in various schools, shelters, and organizations throughout Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

As part of the program, cultural activities and field trips are organized in and around Santiago and Valparaíso.

Resident Director
Marcia Vera received her degree from PUCV in English Language and Literature, and has worked as Program Director of International Abroad (ITA)-Chile at PUCV International Programs before joining CIEE. In addition, Marcia was an International Counselor at a YMCA branch in Pennsylvania. She also teaches international students Spanish conversation and Chilean culture at PUCV. In addition to Spanish language acquisition, her academic focus is in gender and culture studies. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Gender and Culture at the Universidad de Chile.

Registration and Credits

Students participating in this program will be registered at the University of Oregon and will receive UO credits for courses taken in Valparaíso. The student’s course work will be reviewed and evaluated by appropriate academic departments at the UO. Students must keep detailed records of course outlines, reading lists, exam results, and other work completed to facilitate accurate evaluation by the academic departments at the UO.

Students are responsible for making sure that the courses they plan to take in Valparaíso will meet major and minor requirements. Students are advised to consult with their academic advisor about their plans to study in the Chile program.

Course Equivalencies

Only those courses that have been taken by UO students in the last seven years are listed on the equivalency sheet. Courses that do not appear on this sheet will need to be approved for UO credit.

The CIEE - Valparaíso program is a new offering for UO students. All courses must be approved.

Host Program Website

For general information on the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso:   http://www.pucv.cl/

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