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- Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile
| Area: | Global Exchange |
| Location: | Santiago |
| Country: | Chile |
| Term: | Spring, Fall, Academic Year |
| Website: | PUC Chile Exchange |
*THIS EXCHANGE IS UNDER REVIEW AND MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SPRING 2024*
UofSC's exchange program in Chile is designed to expose American students to Chilean life, culture, and academics. The program is located at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (PUC-Chile) in downtown Santiago. Chile is a country known for its startling contrasts and extreme beauty. Chile extends along the southwest coast of South America, stretching alongside the Pacific Ocean while never exceeding more than 177km in width. Chile also enjoys one of South America´s most stable and prosperous economies as well as a long democratic tradition. Santiago is the capital of Chile as well as a major commercial, industrial and cultural area. The country´s economic, administrative and political activity is concentrated in the city of Santiago. A few kilometers away are major ski resorts and there is also fast and easy access to the beaches and rural areas.
Founded in 1888, PUC Chile is one of the oldest and most established universities in the country. Students on this program should expect rigorous classes and a high degree of independence.
Cost: UofSC resident tuition rates + in-country costs
Requirements: 3.0 GPA, at least 1, 300-level Spanish course
Students on an exchange program will pay tuition and fees directly to USC. Housing, books, meals, and personal expenses will be paid in Chile.
Students typically earn 12-15 credit hours per semester. The majority of the classes are taught in Spanish. However there may be a few courses offered in English. Certain courses have restrictions, so please review restrictions and prerequisites before selecting your courses.
To see courses UofSC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table.
Exchange students at PUC Chile have the opportunity to participate in several activities on campus. These include language partner programs, volunteering, and extracurricular workshops.
Per university policy, all UofSC students will be charged emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance for their time abroad. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details.
UofSC students participating in this exchange can choose between host families and single/shared student apartments. The Office of International Affairs at PUC Chile will provide accepted students with suggested housing sites to help students arrange accommodations prior to arrival.
PUC Chile has two semesters. The first semester is from early March to mid-July. The second semester is from late July to late November. UofSC students are able to attend PUC Chile for the fall semester or spring semester.
A mandatory orientation session is held for exchange students upon arrival in Chile.
All students must have a visa to study in Chile for more than 90 days. Students must apply for the visa in person at the Consulate in Miami. The visa costs approximately $131 and the application requires an HIV test and FBI background test, in addition to the required financial and academic documents. FBI Background checks can take several weeks and up to two to three months to obtain; students are encouraged to request an FBI check early in their application process and prior to acceptance into the university.