Location
  • Chile
    • Viña del Mar
    • Valparaíso
Term
Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Biology Business Cultural Studies Economics Education Finance Geography Hispanic Studies History International Business Liberal Arts Literature Oceanography Political Science Psychology Service Learning Social Sciences +7
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Housing
Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
2000
Price Details
Program Cost Includes:

• Comprehensive Advising and Support
• Tuition at the Host University
• Official Transcript from Host University with ISA Cover Letter
• Housing
• Meals and Laundry Services
• Bridging Cultures Program
• Full-Time Resident Staff
• On-Site ISA Offices
• Computer and Internet Access
• Excursions
• The ISA Discovery Model
• Cultural Activities
• Medical Insurance
• Comprehensive Health, Safety and Security Support
• Airport Reception
• Visa Support
• Tutoring
• The Professional Development Toolbox
• Scholarship Opportunities
Oct 06, 2023
Oct 04, 2023
21 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study in Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, Chile with ISA. Students can participate in a program at either the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso or the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. Both are incredibly prestigious universities, focusing on different specializations. The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) offers intensive month, semester, summer, back to back and internship opportunities for its students. The Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) is AACSB accredited and offers business courses taught in English, and the ability for advanced Spanish speakers to enroll in courses with locals.

Service-Learning and Internship opportunities are available.

Let ISA take care of all of the details for you, so you can relax and enjoy your time abroad. With constantly available support, and a great track record of students who would agree to this, you can feel confident placing your trust in ISA. Check out their website today!

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

Our team at ISA is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and ISA staff. We have developed our ISA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of ISA destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

LGBTQIA+ Support

Our team at ISA is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and ISA staff. We have developed our ISA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of ISA destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

Neurodivergent Support

ISA is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.

Accessibility Support

ISA is committed to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform ISA of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process. Please contact accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com with questions or for more information.

Impact

Sustainability

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.

Ethical Impact

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Popular Programs

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso

Located on the outer edge of the eclectic city of Valparaíso, blocks away from the local port, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) is a traditional catholic university that offers everything a student needs for complete Spanish immersion. ISA students at the PUCV will take courses through the International Program’s Office (PIIE), which offers courses in Spanish language and culture.

Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez

The Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) is a private institution with a modern campus located in the Metropolitana region of Viña del Mar. ISA students at the UAI will take courses through the International Program’s Office, which offers courses in Spanish language, culture and civilization, and Business courses in English. Students who possess an advanced Spanish proficiency level are eligible to enroll in courses with local Chileans in a variety of subjects.

Scholarships

ISA Scholarships

ISA by WorldStrides Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship is offered for summer and semester programs and is intended for students with identities historically underserved in education abroad. This can include, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Alaskan Native, American Indian, Native Hawaiian, LGBTQIA+, First-Generation College Students, U.S. Military Veterans, students with disabilities, and/or students at Minority-Serving Institutions.

Value
$2,500 - $5,000

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 16 reviews
  • 5 rating 93.75%
  • 4 rating 6.25%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 3.85
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.7
  • Housing 4.95
  • Safety 4.25
Showing 1 - 8 of 16 reviews
Default avatar
Ashauna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Wonders of Chile

I came into study abroad eager and excited, looking to improve my fluency in Spanish. Without realizing though, I also came in treating study abroad as an item on a checklist, but it was so much more! From the warm & welcoming culture of the people, to the rich seafood, that I didn't know you could put in an empanada, to living a 10 minutes' walk from the beach, I fell in love with life there. My host family made me feel so at home and I loved walking and exploring the city every day. The public transportation was easy, though the Micro's were surely an adventurous ride!! Being immersed in this culture swept me off of my feet. Building relationships with the other students studying abroad, the local Chileans, and our residential director was a highlight for sure! While I knew that it was custom to kiss on the cheek when greeting, this still took me by surprise and I had to adjust. I would say that I started to get a bit homesick around week 6 and this probably lasted about a month or so, but our residential director did an amazing job with having these open types of conversations with us, always asking what kind of support we needed and having us reflect. But there was always something to do, whether a festival in Valpo or something hosted by UAI's student exchange team, so getting outside of the house and planning things to look forward to helps with that a TON! Honestly, my heart is still there, and I am seriously considering moving there. I visited the San Pedro de Atacama Dessert and it was stunningly breathtaking!...SO, if you're still debating, let this be your sign to say YES and DO IT!! ;) thank me later, I hope you have an amazing experience!!!

21 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Caitlin
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ISA Study Abroad Chile

While studying abroad with ISA in Chile, I had a great experience with my host family and made new friends through the program. I did not get as many opportunities to interact with Chileans as I'd thought and the schedule was rigorous but I had a unique chance to learn about Latin American healthcare and politics. It was different than I expected it to be but different is not good or bad-- it's just different. Overall I would recommend studying abroad to every student so that they gain knowledge about themselves and the world around them.

28 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Angelica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My new favorite place on Earth

The ISA program in Valparaíso, Chile was fantastic. The ISA staff were quick to respond to any questions or concerns that I had and helpful throughout the entire program. Anytime you needed anything, they were there, but it was never so much that the program felt guided; it is still quite independent. Public transportation was quick, cheap, and reliable so you could get anywhere in Valparaíso or Viña Del Mar with ease. The host families are incredibly kind, adaptable with their exchange students, and an amazing support system to have while abroad. The option to have independent housing is also available if you would like, so the program is very customizable. The academics are also able to be unique to the individual student so earning credit at home should be no problem. Beyond that the cities are full of gorgeous colorful buildings, murals, and stunning ocean views. You are sure to find some great places to eat, shop, and spend time with friends. The locals are typically very helpful and kind. You aren’t too far from Santiago so you can have fun at the Capital or travel easily to different cities in the country. If you love nature, the lakes region, Atacama Desert, and Chilean Patagonia are incredible places to visit. This program was the best part of my college experience and I will always remember fondly. I highly, highly recommend this program to anyone interested.

Pros
  • Beautiful Scenery
  • Great support systems
  • Fun activities and easy solo travel
Cons
  • Hilly landscape/difficult walks
26 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brandon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Chile Changed My Life.

I could sit here and write to you all day about how beautiful Valparaíso and Viña del Mar are, how good the food is, how my Spanish competency skyrocketed from being in an area with an unorthodox dialect, how relevant and informative my classes were, how great the nightlife is, how many friends and connections (Chilean and otherwise) I made, how awesome my host family is and how I still keep in touch with them... there are so many things I could say, but we'd be here all day. I think the biggest factor is how I still miss it every day, 3.5 years after spending 5 months there. I think of how hard it was to leave, how I could've easily spent another semester or year there if it were at all feasible, how my host mom had to console me by reminding me that I wasn't losing anything by leaving, that I had gained a family. Although I got very close to my host family and they were the highlight of my experience, I think of all the confidence I gained, all the memories I made, how strange it was that I gained a second home. I really felt like home in Chile... so much so that when I was able to sneak back to Viña for a week a year after I left, I had the same feeling of warmth and comfort that I got when I traveled back to my small town in eastern Kentucky from my college town of Lexington. A lot of that is due to Chile itself, but ISA was instrumental in me being as impacted as I was by my experience abroad. From the choice in classes and excursions, helpfulness and know-how of a staff that was genuinely interested in each and every student, the ISA office that was right across the street from the Casa Central of PUCV, down to even just how the program was planned all gave me the freedom and agency to really see Chile for what it was, with nothing logistically or administratively for me to worry about. Chile is phenomenal, ISA is phenomenal, and I would pack my bags and head back right this second if I was given the chance. I wholeheartedly believe anyone and everyone can find something about Chile to fall in love with. Go.

What would you improve about this program?
I would've liked more pre-departure help from my Site Specialist.
85 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Camille
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ISA Study Abroad in Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, Chile

The fisherman at the market glanced at me oddly when I asked if I could have the intestines of the mackerels he was gutting. “Es para mi clase de zoologia,” I explained. As I hung on for dear life trying to keep the bag of entrails from whacking passengers, the rollercoaster ride up the Valparaiso hills to the biology campus was an extra challenge that day. How worth it though! After three hours in the lab finding various parasites and observing them under the microscope followed by a two hour theoretical lecture, I had learned so much - not only about biology and Spanish, but also about the culture.

What would you improve about this program?
The study abroad students were very isolated from the rest of the local students. Promoting interaction between international and domestic students would be beneficial for everyone.
93 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Graham
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

¡Vo dale!

I woke up daily to hear pan-flutes playing outside in the street, and found myself noticing a new work of art everyday. Someone is always juggling or playing a guitar, and there was a great night life as well as enough outdoor adventure opportunities for a lifetime of amazement. Genuine people, culture, and life to be found in Chile, especially in the artist friendly Valparaíso.

What would you improve about this program?
I loved the staff, program, and country itself.
79 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Arianna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Experience of a Lifetime- Chile 2013

I studied abroad in Chile through the International Study Abroad program and absolutely loved it. I took 12 credits worth of Advanced level Spanish classes at the local university in Valparaiso, and lived with the most amazing host family. The ISA staff truly helped to make each student feel comfortable and safe, and even provided us with homework help and events that allowed us to meet other Chileans! I remember thinking how hard it was for me to understand the Chilean’s when they spoke to me because they speak so fast and they use a lot of “chilenismos” (vocabulary specific only to Chile) but my host mom was a wonderful tutor and would write new words that I learned each day on the tiles of her kitchen with a dry erase marker so that I could see them and practice them daily which was a huge help! I loved my time in Chile and really adapted to their culture and lifestyle, so much so that I still consider Chile my home.

What would you improve about this program?
I would like if the ISA staff provided more guidance regarding in country trips or excursions that students would like to do on their own time and aside from the pre-paid budget of the program.
87 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Francesca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in Valpo!

I can only think positive things about my experience in Valparaíso. Volunteering at Centro Bellavista, the Special Education Center, and working with the psychologist was such a great experience for me and so much fun. In the US, I have heard the statement, "The only disability in life is a bad attitude." Working at this placement allowed me to see the truth of that statement. Working with the students and helping them in their everyday school life was such a joy for me. The children always put a smile on my face no matter what. I loved the Chilean culture (especially the food), and my host family was SO caring and friendly. They made me feel like one of their own children. I still keep in touch with my host brothers on a regular basis. I really wish I could have stayed longer than a month so that I could have traveled more, but I will definitely have to return to Chile in my future. Overall, this was an amazing and valuable experience. I was able to immerse myself in the culture, strengthen my Spanish-skills, and gain life-changing skills that allowed me to grow in so many ways. Although it was hard at first to communicate with the locals (taking into account their accent, local lingo, and how fast they talk), but at the end I was able to realize that this only made me a better Spanish speaker.

What would you improve about this program?
I think it would be beneficial to organize activities with the local university students and ELAP (volunteer program) students. Since I was not taking classes, sometimes I did not know about activities that were going on.
81 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers