| Viña del Mar, Chile |
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Quick Facts
Why Viña del Mar?
City Description - Medium city of 320,000Viña del Mar (known as simply "Viña" to Chileans) is both a thriving city as well as a major vacation destination. Located about 70 miles northwest of Santiago in the Valparaíso region and province, it is Chile's fourth largest city. Technically, the population stands at about 320,000, but that number swells during the summer when Chileans flock to Viña to enjoy its beaches, restaurants, ATP tennis tournament, and music festival. Viña del Mar is actually located just 5 miles from the city of Valparaíso, and these two cities together form the second largest urban center in Chile, with a combined population of over 600,000. While Viña del Mar provides beautiful beaches and a varied repertoire of artistic performances, Valparaíso is internationally recognized as the cultural and legislative capital of Chile, and as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The distinctive personality of Viña and Valparaíso is exemplified by the large student population that resides there. It has been calculated that some 60,000 students from all 15 Chilean regions and from various countries in Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia populate these two cities, and in turn, have transformed them into Chile's preferred destination for college students. The town of Viña del Mar was founded in 1878 as a place for the wealthy from cities such as Santiago and Valparaíso to get away. It quickly became more than a town for the rich, as major companies began to be established there, helping the local economy boom. Originally the town was simply an extension of the neighboring city of Valparaíso, but because of the area's growth, the Chilean government authorized it to be a separate city. Besides being known for its beaches, Viña del Mar draws both tourists and locals to the numerous parks and fountains that are found throughout the city. Rich in flowers and plants, Viña's most famous bed of flowers in the city is the Reloj de Flores, a large clock made up of flowering plants. The weather is also an attraction for many, including the President of Chile who keeps a home in Viña, since the summers aren't too hot and the winters aren't too cold. The mild and enjoyable climate makes Viña a perfect environment for the abundance of gardens, palm trees, and banana trees-and students-that make up the city. Universidad de Viña del MarFounded November 21, 1988, the Universidad de Viña del Mar (UVM) is a private institution of higher education and has quickly become one of Chile's most prestigious private universities. With approximately 5,000 enrolled students and not too many Americans, it has the perfect environment to be able to easily integrate with Chilean students, and receive personal attention from the faculty and International Office. The UVM has an educational model that emphasizes social responsibility, and is a new university that prides itself on being a flexible and innovative. In addition, the UVM strives to create leaders with entrepreneurial spirit, who can be competitive in today's global society. The university recognizes that today's workplace is not only interdisciplinary, but it is also becoming increasingly globalized and competitive. Therefore, the UVM's mission is "To create people who can contribute to the development of their surroundings, by gaining knowledge in an academic environment that is also humanistic, technologically advanced, and integrated." The importance of cultural exchange through both welcoming students from abroad and sending their own students abroad is also a key element in the UVM's mission. The Universidad de Viña del Mar has a modern campus that is located in the higher part of the city and has characteristics similar to some of the most important higher education centers in Europe and North America. The UVM has also been a pioneer in promoting new fields of study in Chile, such as Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources and Architecture. The campus covers 50 acres, situated on the principle access street to Viña del Mar. It is minutes away from the center of the city, adjacent to where Pope John Paul II spoke in 1987. The main campus contains the majority of UVM's academic schools and departments and has a variety of features, such as ample classrooms, auditoriums, library, laboratories, amphitheatre, gymnasium and sports complex, cafeteria, banking services, and bookstores. Costs and Dates
What's Included - Viña del Mar
Not Included:
Click here for billing information NOTE: If you need a "Costs of Attendance" budget for your financial aid office, or simply need more details about the additional costs listed above, please email chelsea(at)academicstudies.com. Program Calendar
Volunteer OpportunitiesParticipation in volunteer opportunities in Chile is an excellent way to immerse yourself in your host country's way of life while helping those in need. In effect, this will add another dimension to the study abroad experience through daily exposure and interactions, resulting in a greater understanding of the language, culture, and community of the host country. During the third week of classes, the Universidad de Viña del Mar will have an information session about Volunteering, where you'll have the chance to find out more and sign up if you want. Please note that these volunteer opportunities are not for credit. The following are the volunteer opportunities in which students can participate: English Opens Doors ProgramThis Government sponsored program is designed to compensate for the lack of exposure to native English speakers faced by most students in Chile's public/subsidized school system. Volunteers work 4-16 hours a week in a local public/subsidized school. They work alongside Chilean EFL teachers in the classroom, and have the opportunity to lead their own lessons and activities that focus on listening and speaking. For more information on the English Opens Doors Program, go to http://www.centrodevoluntarios.cl/programas_en.html. English Alliance ProgramThis program started as a branch of the university's Cultures in Contact course. The objective of the Cultures in Contact course is to expose International Students to different aspects of Chilean Culture. One way this can be achieved is by giving International Students the opportunity to volunteer in the community. As a way for UVM International Students to become involved in their surrounding community, the English Alliance Program was formed in 2005. International Students can choose from different High Schools, Middle Schools, Elementary Schools, and Preschools. Each student is placed in a Classroom with an English Teacher where they serve as a Teacher's Assistant. Students are required to volunteer for an hour and a half once a week. Hogares de Niños (Orphanges)Another volunteer opportunity to work is in one of the many orphanages in the Viña del Mar and Valparaíso area. There are children of varying ages, and they are there for a variety of reasons (orphans, removed from their home because of abuse). It is a wonderful way to give back to the community and help children in need. A typical student goes to the orphanage for several hours once a week to help the "tía" (paid person in charge of the children) and play with the kids while helping out with daily tasks. FAQsIf you have questions about HOW TO APPLY and make sure your credits transfer back to your home university, please CLICK HERE. We encourage both prospective students and parents, as well as those who have already been accepted to an ASA program, to visit our INFORMATION LIBRARY. Here you will find tons of helpful info to help you know what to plan for and what to expect, such as:
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