Get up to $500 in flight credits or grants toward study or internship programs abroad when you apply by January 01, 2025. See our Official Rules for full details.
Bursting with color and old-world charm thanks to its brightly painted buildings, Valparaiso is the second largest metropolitan area in the country. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known as the cultural capital of Chile, the city is spontaneous, cheerful, and just a little bit gritty: a perfect introduction to Latin life. When you study abroad in Valparaiso, visit La Sebastiana, the home-turned-museum of great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Improve your Spanish language skills through courses at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso and get a grasp of Latin American culture in Valparaíso, “the jewel of the Pacific.”
Established in 1928, the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) is a private institution of higher education recognized by the Chilean Ministry of Education.
Ranking in the top 30 of Latin American Universities, PUCV is recognized for its academic prestige and research within the fields of science, engineering, humanities and the arts offering more than 100 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Today the university enrolls more than 14,000 students, attracting students from different areas of Chile, as well as exchange students from Europe, North American and various countries from South America.
PUCV is an urban campus with the main campus centrally located in downtown Valparaíso a few blocks from the Chilean Congress, the Metro and the Pacific Ocean. Additional campuses are located throughout the city as well as Viña del Mar, Quilpué, and Quillota.
Credit Transfer Information
CEA CAPA credit hour recommendations are based on the following conversion: 15 contact hours equals 1 U.S. credit. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Transcript Information
Students receive a transcript from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso upon successful completion of the program. The transcript reflects semester credit hours.
Accreditation
The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso is a private institution of higher education recognized by the Chilean Ministry of Education as a degree-granting institution of higher learning. The university was bestowed the title of Pontifica by the Holy See in 2003. The school holds accreditation from AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System).
Grading
Grade conversions from CEA CAPA partner institutions abroad to a US grading scale are determined in consultation with our School of Record and benchmarked with other peer institutions in the field.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Classroom and Information
Chilean or other Latin American faculty teach Spanish language courses and electives.
Periodic exams, homework assignments, and final exams will be administered.
Class attendance is generally mandatory and monitored by professors.
Teaching styles in Chile may differ from those in the U.S. Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations.
Class size ranges between 5 and 15 students for Spanish language and Elective courses.
You may attend class with other CEA CAPA students, other international students and local students.
Amenities
Student Lounge
Study Area
Counseling Services
Travel Books & Resources
University Library
Computer Lab
Printing Facilities
Printing Services
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Language Exchange with Local Students
Fitness Facilities
Student Sports Teams
Cultural Engagement
Dining Facilities
Free Campus Shuttle
Banks & Post Office
Museum & Art Galleries
Excursions
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and
summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight
excursions we've offered in the past.
*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.
Engage in Valparíso vibrant culture firsthand when you live in a homestay with a Chilean family. For the culture-seeking type whose study abroad goals include improving Spanish language skills and cultural understanding, homestays provide the opportunity to dive headfirst into the daily lives of Chilean locals.
Typical Commute
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaíso: 20-30 minutes by bus from Viña / 20-30 minutes walking fromValparaíso
Meals Included
3 meals per day (M-Sun)
Roommates
1 student per room
1-2 students per Homestay
Unit Amenities
Access to kitchen
Shared bathroom
Bed linens included
Internet access
Telephone access available
Washer only
Independent Living
While CEA CAPA highly recommends that you choose one of our Valparaiso housing options provided, you also have the option to arrange independent housing. If your ideal housing scenario includes living in a particular neighborhood, having specific amenities or living with a specific person as your roommate, then independent housing could be just the ticket for you.
Use the online housing application form to request permission for this option no later than the application closure date. If your request is approved, you will receive a rebate for your housing payment, however CEA CAPA will not provide you with any assistance setting up independent housing. Keep in mind, rebates are not granted to students who move out of their CEA CAPA housing or choose to pursue independent living arrangements after the application closure date.
