Exchange Program Fact Sheet

Semester

Institution Name / Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
Chile
Academic Calendar 2010
(*Tentative) / First Semester: March 15 to July 24, 2010
Second Semester (*): August 09 to December 18, 2010
Examination Period / First Semester: July 12 to 24, 2010
Second Semester (*): December 06 to 18, 2010
Important: Students must stay until the end of the examination period
Orientation Dates for Incoming Students / First Semester: March 08 to 12, 2010
Second Semester (*): August 02 to 06, 2010
General University web site / www.pucv.cl
Information web site for study abroad students / http://piie.ucv.cl
Application Deadlines / Semester 1 2010 (March-July): December 15, 2009
Semester 2 2010 (August – December): May 15, 2010
Application material / ·  Complete application form
·  Letter or certificate, properly signed, of International Medical Insurance that covers 100% of any medical expenses arising from illness and/or accident during all stay in Chile (in English or Spanish)
·  Copy of transcripts
·  Copy of passport
·  Recommendation letter from a Professor of home university(in English or Spanish)
·  Approval for studying abroad from home university (in English or Spanish)
Motivation letter written by the student telling why she/he wants to join PUCV
Contact Details
for International Students / Ms. Alina Morales, Incoming Students Coordinator
Tel: +56 32 227 34 47
Fax: +56 32 227 3446

Mrs. Macarena Moya, Incoming Students Assistant
Tel: +56 32 227 3222

Dirección de Programas Internacionales / Office of International Programs
Casa Central PUCV
Avenida Brasil 2950, Valparaíso – CHILE
Language of Instruction / Spanish
Language Requirements / 4 semesters of Spanish
Areas of study open for exchange students / ·  Intensive Spanish Courses (exclusive for international students):
Chilean Culture andCommunicative Spanish
Written Spanish
Ortophony and pronunciation
Grammar for Foreigners
·  PUCV Courses (Regular courses with Chilean students)
Classes are taught in Spanish
Some Law and Philosophy courses are offered on an annual basis. Courses of the School of Architecture and Design are not available for international students (except for those coming through a specific agreement for that particular School).
More information: www.pucv.cl
“Facultades y Carreras” (academic programs)
“Carreras” - You can access the list of mandatory courses available for each term
Courses are confirmed at the beginning of each term.
Registration process will be held during orientation.
Credit System
(Undergraduate Level) / International students are recommended to take 18 credits and a minimum of 15 credits. (Reference: a full PUCV student takes 20-22 credits per semester)
The grading scale runs from 1,0 (lowest) to 7,0 (highest), being the passing grade 4,0
Important: Please confirm at the beginning of the semester directly with the professor of each class the minimum grade required to be able to take the final exam. Each academic department (Escuela/instituto) has its own policies.
Transcript issuance / For Semester 1 (March-July) late August
For Semester 2 (August-December) late January
Important information:
Bilateral agreement: transcripts will be sent to the student’s home university
ISEP: transcripts will be sent to ISEP Central (Washington D.C)
CINDA: transcripts will be sent to the student’s home university
Independent students: transcripts will be sent to the students permanent address
Housing Options / 1. Homestay
Services
Private Room / Bed Linens
Basic furnishing / Kitchen Access
Shared Bath / Meals (3 per day) provided by the family
Internet / Laundry service
. Laundry service.
This is a semester-based arrangement. Home-stay fee is USD $3,000, and it must be paid entirely upon arrival at the Accounting office of the PUCV and is valid for the official dates of each term. Extra days must be paid directly by the student to the family at the daily fee of $9000 CLP.
Official arrival and departure dates for S1 2010: March 6th – July 25th, 2010
2. Residence:
Our staff will provide the student a list of useful addresses so he/she can find a
place that matches his/her preferences and budget. The student (not the PUCV) will remain fully responsible for any decisions made in this concern.
Reference prices are as follows:
Full board pension:$240.000 pesos a month (+ - US$ 490)
Half board pension: $195.000 pesos a month (+ - US$400)
Bed and Breakfast: $5.000 pesos a day (+ - US$15)
Housing Application Deadlines / December 15th, 2009 for Semester 1 2010 (March-July)
May 15th, 2010 for Semester 2 2010 (August-December)
Port of Arrival Recommended / Santiago
Airport pickup service / Available. Charge to the student.
Student has to confirm the date of arrival to at least 2 weeks in advance.
Important: / P.U. Católica de Valparaíso is closed during February (Summer vacations)
Last update of this information / November 20th, 2009

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