Universidad de Tarapaca Exchange
Summer (June 8th - August 1st ) Immersion Programs in Spanish Language and Culture 2009

Printable version

COUNTRY: Chile CITY: Arica Host Institution: Universidad de Tarapaca TYPE OF PROGRAM: UNI Exchange SESSIONS: Summer 2009 ELIGIBILITY: Sophomore standing, GPA 2.5 FIELDS OF STUDY: Spanish language & culture LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: Spanish CREDITS: Undergraduate, Graduate

Program Links

INTRODUCTION

Given its great extension, one of Chile's main characteristics is its astonishing variety of landscapes.

Not surprisingly, legend has it that when God finished the Creation, he took leftovers of desert, pampa, jungle and mountains, and with them he created the patchwork that is Chile.

ARICA

Arica is located in the northernmost part of Chile, right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The area has a number of anthropological research sites of ancient societies of the Aymara and the Atacama people. The university is the custodian of the rich remains of mummies, pottery, textiles and religious evidence of these cultures. Often called the city of everlasting spring, Arica has mild winters and hot summers. People enjoy water sports like surfing, wind surfing, water skiing, diving, and other outdoor recreational activities. Because of its excellent location near Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil and Peru, Arica is a very good place to start traveling in the region. The Machu-Pichu in Peru, Tiwanaku in Bolivia, the jungles of Brazil, and the northern steppes of Argentina are all within the traveler's reach.

THE UNIVERSIDAD DE TARAPACA

The University is located in Arica, Chile, and was established in 1982 by merging the local branches of the University of Chile and the Catholic University. It has five faculties: Agriculture; Business and Social Sciences; Natural Sciences (Nursing, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical Technology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology); Engineering, and Education & Humanities (Physical Education, History, English, Geography). The Agronomy Institute, located in the Azapa Valley, carries out research on desert agriculture.
 

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Students with a sufficient level of Spanish are able to enroll in regular university classes. The usual semester load is four or five classes (total of 28 direct contact hours) a week. Exchange students wishing to improve their Spanish may take special courses about the literatures, geography and business aspects of Chile, offered on a semester basis through the English department. The Spanish department is undergoing restructuring and only occasional tutoring is available by individual professors. Academic year begins in March and ends in December. Spring semester runs from mid-March until mid-July; fall semester runs from mid-August until mid-December.

SUMMER CULTURE AND INTENSIVE SPANISH PROGRAM

The University of Tarapaca offers a summer culture and intensive Spanish program.  The session begins May 10th and ends July 4th (8 weeks).  The approximate cost is $2750, which does not include airfare and health insurance and personal expenses..  Possible course options include:

(780:086, 3 credits) - Oral and Written Expression
(780:152, 3 credits) - Contemporary Hispanic Culture
(780:1xx, 3 credits) - Literature Class
(630:159, 3 credits) - TESOL Practicum: Dr. Joyce Milambiling, arranged meeting time, no prerequisites.

ACADEMIC SESSIONS

Spring semester: March 10- July 15; Fall Semester: August 5- December 6
Summer: May 10- July 4
Please check the Study Abroad Center for specific dates.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS

UNI students will be placed with local host families in Arica for the duration of the program.  The accommodations will include a private room and three meals per day.  The family placement will be done using a questionnaire to ensure maximum compatibility.  The majority of those families do not speak English, or speak very little, making it even easier for UNI students to speak in Spanish all the time.
 

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Participants are eligible for the Study Abroad Scholarship and a variety of other funding options.

Limited Opportunity! Serve as a conversation partner while at the U. of Tarapaca:

• $200 per month stipend
• Only a limited number of positions available
• Occupy about 10 hrs/week

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be full-time students at UNI at the time of application, at least sophomore status during the time abroad, have departmental approval for participation, and an overall G.P.A. of 2.5.  Spanish ability of 780:001(Spanish I) and 780:002 (Spanish II) or higher is preferred.

PROGRAM COST

• Eight weeks (9-12 cr) approximately US $ 2750

• UNI tuition & fees for summer
• Spanish language instruction
• Spanish language assessment on arrival
• Host family accommodation with full meals
• Orientation session
• Course materials
• Airport transfers & transportation to Arica from Tacna, Peru
• Excursion to Lauca National Park (2 days)
• Tour to the Historical Museum
• Tour to the Anthropological Museum
• Tour of Historical Arica
• Excursion to Tacna, Peru
• Leisure activities (movies, games)
• Internet/Computer Lab at UTA
• Certificate of studies

• Optional trip to Machu Picchu 5 days (apr. $750)
• Air fare* (approx. $1,400) & travel documents (passport, etc.)
• Health Insurance

*Airfare will be purchased together for all the participants 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

• Study Abroad Application (PDF Link)
• Study Abroad Scholarship application (2 pgs)
• 1 letter of recommendation (if submitting the Scholarship Application)
• Passport copy
• Health insurance verification
• 1 unofficial transcript
• Host family information

To download and print available forms please refer to our Forms page.

Student Visa Information
Student Visa Application

 

DEADLINES

Application deadline is Feb. 14, 2009. (Submit to the Study Abroad Center)

CONTACT INFORMATION

Inquiries should be directed to: 
Yana Cornish
Study Abroad Office 
28 Gilchrist Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0520 
Tel: 319/ 273-7078 Fax: 319/ 273-2921email: study-abroad@uni.edu 

TALES FROM ABROAD

"Arica is an excellent location to travel around South America. You can see many beautiful indigenous places" (Senior Fall 1998)

Back to Top