Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile
- Location: Santiago
- Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
- Spanish requirement: None **
- Application deadlines: November 1 for semester 1 (Mar-July)
April 1 for semester 2 (Aug-Dec)
- Program advisor: Eryn Espín-Kudzinski
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Program Snapshot
On the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program, students can learn Spanish while taking additional classes in English at the Universidad Autónoma de Chile (UA). Located in Santiago's neighborhood of Providencia, UA's campus is a stone's throw from the city center as well as the bohemian Bellavista.
What the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program has to offer
- An opportunity to learn Spanish and take classes in a supportive atmosphere
- Three additional courses taught in English
- Full access to UA athletic, social and academic services
- Field excursions that complement classroom learning
- Tutors to help with Spanish language learning
- Over 70 volunteer opportunities available
- Located in dynamic Santiago, voted one of the great cities for students by QR World University
- Caring, helpful support services from our Santiago office
Housing
- Students live with a carefully selected program host family
- IFSA-Butler houses one student per host family for maximum cultural and language immersion
- Program fee includes three meals per day
Academics
- Mandatory beginning Spanish language courses (equivalent to 101 and 102) are taught consecutively during the semester
- Three additional program courses (taught in English): Latin America in the New Global Order; Indigenous People of Chile: Past, Present and Future; and History and Society in Contemporary Chile
- All courses taught by faculty from UA
- Students enroll in a total of 15 U.S. semester credit hours
**Up to one semester of previous introductory-level Spanish is appropriate for this program.
Academics
Academic Structure
What is the academic structure of the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program?
IFSA-Butler offers a semester study abroad program on the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program designed for students with one semester of college-level Spanish or no background in Spanish. Students will take Intensive Spanish for Beginners I and II, along with three courses taught in English focusing on modern Chile and Latin America. All courses are designed specifically for IFSA-Butler participants. These classes, taught by local professors at the Universidad Autónoma de Chile (UA), are intended to provide you with an understanding of the events and issues that make Chile what it is today.
Program Courses
What program courses does IFSA-Butler offer?
The following courses are specially designed for IFSA-Butler students on the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program. Click here to download all program course syllabi, or click on an individual course title below for the syllabus specific to that course.
Intensive Spanish for Beginners I (3 U.S. semester credit hours) This course is conducted during the first eight weeks of the program and is a proficiency-oriented course emphasizing pronunciation, verb paradigms, concordances and sentence structure.
Intensive Spanish for Beginners II (3 U.S. semester credit hours) This is a course which builds upon the coursework of the Intensive Spanish for Beginners I course and is conducted during the last eight weeks of the program. It is a proficiency-oriented course emphasizing conversation skills and composition.
Latin America in the New Global Order (3 U.S. semester credit hours) This course will give a view of contemporary Latin America, balancing a perspective between its traditional political and social paradigms as well as proposing a set of approaches to the concept of globalization. This will be carried out by mixing both the concept of mestizo culture derived from its joint Spanish and local cultural origin, as well as the contemporary perspectives and views of the phenomenon of globalization.
History and Society in Contemporary Chile (3 U.S. semester credit hours) An integral perspective of the evolution of present-day Chilean society with an emphasis on politics, social forces, literature, human rights and sustainable development. The course covers four periods in Chilean society: Facing the Centennial; The "Frente Popular" Era: 1930-1960; New Social and Political Demands: 1960-1980; and Transition to Democracy: 1980 to the present.
Indigenous People of Chile: Past, Present, and Future (3 U.S. semester credit hours) This course focuses on the different indigenous cultures of Chilean territory. It also examines the environmental diversity and the social structures of indigenous groups found in the country. Through this course, students will have an understanding of the different grades of development of the Chilean Amerindian groups by the time of Spanish conquest. They will also comprehend the different components of the economic and socio-cultural structures of the Chilean indigenous world.
University Info
Universidad Autónoma de ChileThe Universidad Autónoma de Chile (UA) was founded in the southern city of Temuco, 419 miles south of Santiago. UA was created in order to provide new opportunities for students in that area of the country. At this time, students in this zone lacked options for higher education. The UA opened a campus in Talca, a city 160 miles south of Santiago and also has two campuses in Santiago, one in Providencia, where the IFSA-Butler program is located, and the other in San Miguel. Today, UA has more than 17,000 students on four campuses throughout Chile. UA has reached a level of quality that has allowed it to be among the 10 most relevant private universities in Chile oriented toward first-generation university students.
Registration
How will I register for courses?
As a Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile student, you will automatically be registered in all of the courses offered on the program.
What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full university course load as determined by IFSA-Butler, which is 15-16 U.S. semester credit hours per semester. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. Please be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home university or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.
All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for auditing courses or pass/fail, unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. Students are not allowed to register for on-line, distance education or hybrid courses. See the "Academics" and "Program Fees and Financial Aid" sections in Preparing to Study Abroad for more information.
Exams
What do I need to know about exams?
Due to the difference in academic systems, your exam schedule will not be available until you arrive in Chile for orientation. Be sure to confirm exam dates with your professor at the beginning of the semester. You are not permitted to reschedule exams, request alternate assessment or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler will not be able to assist you in conducting an academic record query on the class in which you made this arrangement. Additionally, all academic obligations, including final exams, must be complete before leaving Chile.
Transcripts
How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you return to the U.S., IFSA-Butler will send a Butler University transcript to your home university. The transcript reflects the courses taken, credits attempted and grades earned on the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program during your study abroad semester. We will also send an official transcript to your permanent home address.
Academic Tutoring
What if I need academic help during the semester?
In addition to the formal Spanish classes, IFSA-Butler organizes tutoring sessions for students throughout the semester upon request. These sessions may be scheduled at various times during the week, when students meet with the tutor on an individual basis. Please meet with the IFSA-Butler resident staff if you would like the assistance of a tutor.
Housing
Housing Options
Study abroad is much more than academics. Learning takes place not only during class, but 24 hours a day. One of the best out-of-class experiences is the homestay, which is a vital, required component of the IFSA-Butler program. One IFSA-Butler student is placed with a carefully selected, program approved host family for the duration of the study abroad semester or year.
In addition to the program application, be sure to click on the "Forms" tab to download and complete your Family Placement Form. Once finished, submit your Family Placement Form to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail.
Meals
The Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program includes three meals per day.
Housing FAQs
Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation with your host family while classes are in session and during short university breaks. If you are studying abroad for an entire year, you will need to find alternate housing during the semester breaks. You will be responsible for the any commuting costs you may incur.
When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Chile for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via email when it is ready.
Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.
Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
The Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program does not require a housing deposit.
Can I arrange my own housing?
All students who participate on the program must live with a program approved host family for the duration of the program.
Location Info
Living and Studying Abroad in Santiago
Population: 6 million
Location: Central Chile
City features
- Delightfully mild temperatures and dry weather
- The economic and cultural heart of Chile
- Comprised of 31 comunas, each of which is like a small city with its own personality, mayor and city council
- Beautifully landscaped parks that add green spaces to the city
- Great museums and galleries, including the turn-of-the-century Palacio de Bellas Artes
- Great festivals
- Plenty of opportunities to enjoy theatre and music
- Trendy pubs and nightclubs
Do more!
- Take advantage of Santiago's status as a travel hub and visit other sites in Chile and Latin America
- Take a day trip to the beach or to Cajon del Maipo, a great area for all kinds of outdoor adventuring
- Visit beautiful, pastoral Valparaíso, located along Chile's coast and just two hours away
Links
Welcome to Santiago
Santiago attractions
Chile Tourism
Contact Chile
Lonely Planet Chile
Dates & Fees
Program Dates
- Semester 2 2012
- Arrive in Chile: August 16
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Program begins:
August 16
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IFSA-Butler orientation:
August 16-21
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University orientation*:
August 18
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Move into housing:
TBA
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Classes begin:
August 22
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Classes end:
TBA
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Final exams:
TBA
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Program ends:
December 14
* University orientations are administered primarily or in part by IFSA-Butler staff in Chile.
Upon arrival at the host institution, students should check the program end dates for changes before confirming return travel plans. End dates vary from department to department, and students must complete all course obligations prior to departure. In addition, students should not make plans to travel on the final day of exams since there may be exams on that day.
Program housing is available only until the date listed as “Last Day of Paid Housing” on the calendar.
Exams must be taken where and when scheduled. Under no circumstances may students request that an exam time be changed. In Chile, exams are taken under formal examination conditions, and changes cannot be made for individuals. Students will not receive extra time to complete exams.
Program Fees
- Semester 2 2012
- Tuition/Services: $11,840
- Housing: $3,335
- Supplemental Charges: none
What's included in our Chile program fees
Expense calculator
Calendar Year and Semester 1 Payments Due: December 15
Academic Year and Semester 2 Payments Due: May 15
Program Fee Bills
IFSA-Butler will send a single bill for the entire program fee, which includes tuition, services, housing and some meals.
Housing
Each student lives with a carefully selected host family. The program fee includes three meals per day.
Personal Cost Estimates
Expense calculator
These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs.
The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.
Meals: The BAI program includes two meals per day Sunday through Friday and one meal per day on Saturday.
Personal Miscellaneous: Covers general expenses of college life, including course supplies, photocopying, toiletries, snacks, personal care, etc.
Commuting: Estimates are for transportation between housing and university. Transportation for personal or recreational purposes is not included in the above estimates.
All costs are in U.S. dollars.
Forms
To apply to the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program, use our easy online application.
Applicants to the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program must complete one additional form as a part of the application process:
Family Placement Form
Please submit this form with the remainder of your program application. It can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail.
If you have already started an application to the Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile program, you can check the status of your application using the Student Portal.
Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team
IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Chile:
 Assistant Director for Student Safety Eryn Espín-Kudzinskiassists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Eryn lived abroad in Ecuador teaching English while learning Spanish, and she has traveled extensively throughout Latin America. In 2004, Eryn joined IFSA-Butler in order to help students study abroad and experience new cultures. Contact Eryn at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4269.
 Student Accounts Coordinator Marty Weinbrecht assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Marty can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4218.
 Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (one who has studied abroad too), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4252.
Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our resident director. Click here to read more about Resident Director Isabel Yévenes.
 Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Sara Bell processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Sara can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4261.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering while studying abroad in Santiago is an enriching experience, both personally and academically. Students report that even volunteering a few hours per week enhanced their study abroad experience by providing them with access to the local culture and a deeper understanding of challenges that face the country. Opportunities to volunteer are available for IFSA-Butler students in different fields as you can see below.
IFSA-Butler has prepared a list of places where you, as a visiting student, could volunteer to do social service. While this is purely optional, a commitment on your part is needed in order to arrange a placement. Volunteering does not earn academic credit and will not appear on your Butler University transcript. However, the university does issue a participation certificate for students who participate in a volunteer project throughout the duration of the semester.
Examples of places where students can be placed:
- Corporación Construye - This is an organization dedicated to renovating and making home improvements for low income senior citizens. The goal of Corporación Construye is to improve the quality of life of senior citizens who may not have the support of their families, and to improve their emotional well-being, ensuring that they have the opportunity to be heard.
- AyudArte - AyudArte was formed by advertising students at the Universidad Autónoma. Its volunteers work with low income and at-risk children in Puente Alto in southwest Santiago. They conduct workshops related to the arts, such as theater, music, dance and visual arts. They also organize parties for Halloween, Christmas and other holidays, and a summer camp.
- Fundación Las Rosas - This is a Catholic foundation that has nursing homes and assisted living facilities for low income and/or disabled senior citizens. It provides housing and services to independent, semi-independent and dependent senior citizens who are living in poverty and do not have family to take care of them. Fundación Las Rosas has more than 40 houses with 2400 residents throughout Chile.
- María Ayuda - This organization's work is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and rehabilitation for abused and abandoned children to help them grow and develop in a dignified way. María Ayuda works with both children and their families to fortify family bonds to prevent the abuse from happening again. The organization has homes for children while they are recovering from abuse and, at the same time, works with the family over a period of one to three years with the goal that the child(ren) will successfully reintegrate into the family. It also has an after-school program, a center for teen mothers and educational programs about child abuse.
- Fundación Súmate - Fundación Súmate focuses on the education of at-risk and low income children and youth. It does this through various projects. One is educational reinsertion through its four schools throughout Santiago which aim to educate students who have not attended school due to extreme poverty or other social problems. Another project focuses on the provision of scholarships for students to attend technical institutes of higher education. A third project pairs sponsors with at-risk students who help them by paying monthly educational costs. A fourth project consists of an employment training program for at-risk youth.
- World Vision Chile - World Vision is an international Christian organization dedicated to assisting children in situations of poverty. It has many projects, including working with schools, children and families. It conducts employment training workshops, complements formal education and has an early intervention program for families with infants and young children, among others. It also has a program for people who wish to sponsor an at-risk child. Additionally, World Vision provides relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters, first focusing on the provision of food and emergency supplies and later on definitive solutions for affected children and families.
This is just a sample of the volunteer opportunities available to our students, and these may change from semester to semester. If you have specific interests, please discuss them with your program advisor, who can research other opportunities that may be available in your area of interest. Your program advisor can help you determine opportunities that fit your interests (if they are not listed above), but you will not sign up for a volunteer placement until orientation.
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Beginning Spanish: Inside Chile
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