History Study Abroad Programs in Valparaiso, Chile

We've had programs in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar since 1996, the first Latin American site for our programs! Affectionately known as Valpo and Viña, these two sister cities are located halfway down Chile's endless coastline. You will get the best of both worlds as each city offers a unique and different experience. Viña is known for its modernity and beautiful beaches, which attract tourists from all over the world. On the other hand, Valpo is a historic port city covered in tasteful graffiti art and singing colorful hills. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valpo has a charm that is like no other. We offer you the chance to sign up for an intensive month, semester, back-to-back, or summer study program in Chile! You will take courses in Spanish, ideal for your proficiency level, as well as in English. Our partner schools are the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, where you will attend classes with locals only or with both local and international students. Apart from studying at a university in Chile, you are encouraged to visit any of our offices in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.

The Institute for Study Abroad offers study-abroad opportunities in Chile. The program allows students to study at a Chilean university in Valparaíso while living with a local family. Students study in a beautiful coastal Chilean city while taking advantage of the wide range of courses offered at a well-regarded university. Two special courses are also offered to help students meet their linguistic and academic needs. Situated between the mountains and the sea, Valparaíso's cobbled streets and Victorian houses provide a unique setting to examine the economic and psychological factors that create Latin American politics. The city is famous for its charm and picture-perfect views, not to mention the passionate and edgy art scene and politically active student body. An optional internship complements your studies.

Chile has undergone monumental political, economic, and social changes over the past four decades, including transitioning away from a 17-year dictatorship. While abroad, you will explore how Chileans today are building a more equitable and inclusive nation and become part of a larger intercultural movement. Spend one week with a Mapuche community and meet Aymara and Quechua communities. Work on a community project with an NGO, and strengthen your Spanish through coursework, homestays, and excursions. SIT’s program in Chile offers the opportunity to earn a minor in Latin American studies or sociology. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, meals, and health insurance. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.

Built upon dozens of steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Valparaíso boasts a labyrinth of streets and cobblestone alleyways, embodying a rich architectural and cultural legacy. Nicknamed “The Jewel of the Pacific,” it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its improvised urban design and unique architecture. Founded in 1536, Valparaíso is one of Chile’s most important ports and the third-largest city. Valparaíso remains a source of inspiration for artists of all types, including the well-known Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Students can visit Neruda’s seaside home in Valparaíso, and the Chilean Congress. Offering strikingly beautiful views from the top of its numerous hills, it is reminiscent of San Francisco. Valpo, in short, the city is where students can amble away an afternoon exploring its steep and winding streets, which are peppered with colorful houses, and admire the sparkling Pacific Ocean below. It is only a two-hour bus ride from Santiago, Chile’s capital city.

Valparaíso is the most alluring city on almost four thousand miles of Chilean coastline, bursting with color and old-world charm. See the main attractions of Valparaíso, also known as “the Jewel of the Pacific” while learning about the rich cultural and historical background of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Latin American culture and improve your Spanish language skills by taking courses with local and other international students, taught in your choice of English and Spanish at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), one of Chile’s most recognized universities. PUCV is a multi-campus university with a highly diverse student body. Through PUCV, you’ll have the chance to learn about this culturally diverse country while improving your Spanish language skills. PUCV is an ideal learning environment if you want to experience cultural and language immersion in a seaside, Spanish-speaking city rich with history. To learn more about CEA CAPA Valparaíso or going abroad with CEA CAPA, contact us to get started!

Students get the chance to immerse themselves in Chilean academic culture as they study alongside local students at a host university. They also experience an immersive environment through housing with host families. Program participants will enroll in one of five renowned local universities: the Universidad de Valparaiso, the Universidad Andrés Bello (Viña del Mar), the Universidad de Adolfo Ibañez (Viña del Mar), the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, or the Universidad de Playa Ancha. For students with an interest in Health, we offer a Pre-med Track at the Universidad Andrés Bello in Viña del Mar.