Study Abroad in Viña del Mar, Chile

Where the Pacific meets pure energy
Nestled along Chile’s stunning central coastline, Viña del Mar is a vibrant seaside escape with something for everyone. This lively city of 320,000 comes alive with golden beaches, pulsing nightlife, and an infectious energy fueled by friendly locals and a large international student population. 

 

Just 70 miles northwest of Santiago, Viña is Chile’s fourth-largest city—and one of its most beloved vacation destinations.

During the South American summer (remember, the seasons are flipped if you're coming from the north!), the city buzzes with music festivals, the renowned ATP tennis tournament, and beachfront fun that stretches from sunrise to long after sunset.

 

Just next door is Valparaíso, a colorful UNESCO World Heritage city packed with street art, hillside elevators, and poetic history. Head 10 miles north and you’ll find Concón, Chile’s culinary capital, where seaside dining meets adventure—hike the coastal dunes or try your hand at sandboarding.

 

Known as Chile’s “university city,” Viña del Mar and neighboring Valparaíso are home to over 60,000 students from around the globe, giving the region a youthful, international vibe. It’s also called the “Garden City” thanks to its lush parks, palm-lined boulevards, and open green spaces perfect for relaxing or gathering with friends.

 

Getting away for the weekend is easy—hop on one of the many budget-friendly buses departing hourly for destinations across Chile and beyond. Whether you’re skiing in the Andes near Santiago, exploring ancient cultures at the Fonck Museum, or simply soaking up the sun on the beach, Viña del Mar is your perfect home base for a once-in-a-lifetime South American adventure.

 

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Academics & Eligibility

Universidad de Viña del Mar (UVM)

Founded in 1988, Universidad de Viña del Mar (UVM) is a private institution of higher education that has quickly become one of Chile’s most prestigious private universities. As a small university with approximately 5,000 enrolled students and few Americans, it is the perfect environment to easily integrate with Chilean students and receive plenty of personal attention from the faculty and International Office.

UVM is a modern university that prides itself on innovation and social responsibility. UVM is a pioneer in promoting new fields of study in Chile, such as Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources, and Architecture. In addition, UVM strives to create leaders with entrepreneurial spirit, who can be competitive in today’s global society. The university recognizes that the workplace is increasingly interdisciplinary, globalized, and competitive.

 

Universidad de Viña del Mar has several modern, centrally located campuses. Homestays typically live within walking distance. Campus facilities include ample classrooms, auditoriums, libraries, laboratories, amphitheater, gymnasium and sports complex, and a professional size soccer field.

 

Among the course offerings are Spanish language classes for all levels of ability (a placement exam will determine your level), as well as electives in both English and Spanish. If you pass into Intermediate or higher on the placement exam, you may enroll in classes taught in Spanish.

 

A highlight of the coursework for Intermediate and Advanced level students is the “Cultures in Contact” course. It creates an environment where American and Chilean students can learn about each other’s cultures and improve their language skills.

 

Credit Information

Semester Program:

Normal course load is 4 courses. Classes are taken with American and other international students. Possible U.S. Credits: 

  • 12-20 semester credits (180-320 contact hours).
  • 15 contact hours = 1 semester credit. 10 contact hours = 1 quarter unit.

Summer Intensive Language Program:

Possible U.S. Credits: 5-6 semester credits (88 contact hours). 15 contact hours = 1 semester credit.  10 contact hours = 1 quarter unit. Classes are taken with American and other international students.

 

Final Transcript: Issued by Universidad Viña del Mar

Spanish Placement

Summer students and semester students who take electives in Spanish will take a Spanish language placement test administered by UVM. You can approximate your Spanish level using the following:

have completed at least 4 semesters or 5 quarters of college level Spanish and test into at least B1 (Intermediate) level on the UVM placement test.

  • Beginner level students are those who have not taken Spanish before.
  • Elementary/Pre-Intermediate level students have completed 1-3 semesters or 2-3 quarters of college level Spanish.
  • Intermediate level students have completed 4-5 semesters/quarters of college level Spanish.
  • High Intermediate level students have completed at least 5 semesters or 6 quarters of college level Spanish.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Minimum GPA 2.5 (Students with GPA between 2.3-2.49 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with GPA of 2.29 or lower will not be considered.)
  • Language requirement: None. Open to students with any level of Spanish.
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Graduated from high school
  • Transcript from most recent institution attended (unofficial is ok)
  • ASA Application. To start a new application or continue an existing application, click here.
  • Scan of your valid passport that does not expire sooner than 6 months after the day you plan to return home from abroad. You will need to provide ASA with a scan of your valid passport immediately after being accepted into the program if you did not upload it to your ASA application. Please submit your passport application by expedited service if you do not have a valid passport.

Course Finder

You must have a TOTAL OF 8 COURSES APPROVED by your home institution. This will give you back-ups in case of changes in course availability or schedule conflicts. When you pre-register for classes (this happens after you’re accepted), you will have to list a total of 8 different classes that you can take. We will not be able to pre-register you unless you provide us with 8 different courses. 

 

Those who select the "Semester in English" track will take 4 courses in English from the list below. If you test into at least B1 (Intermediate) Spanish level, you can take up to 2 of your courses from the "Semester in Spanish" offerings below.

 

Course offerings are subject to change.  

 

Use the filters above to search for courses or click "View All Courses" to browse available courses on this program.

Costs & Dates

Program pricing and important dates.

Program dates are subject to change. Although date changes are rare, they are typically changes made by the host institution and are, therefore, outside of ASA’s control. If any changes are made to your program dates, ASA is not responsible for fees or losses associated with changing or canceling your plane ticket, additional lodging and other travel costs, etc.

Please do not book a plane ticket until you are accepted to an ASA program and receive written notification of your program’s arrival and departure date.

*Prices subject to change. Financial aid available.

ASA is a small program, but that’s what makes it so great. The personal attention can’t be beat and I made plenty of friends outside of the group.

Chelsea Francis

I would recommend ASA to other students because not only was it a great price for what you get, but it was so much fun and the site director was great.

Morgan Pecknold

ASA is a very thorough program. It is well organized and structured, yet allows for plenty of independent activity and personal responsibility. There were many times where I felt foreign, but I rarely felt like a tourist. I engaged in the culture with the ASA program, I didn’t just take a picture and a souvenir

Aaron Bannasch

Housing

Your home away from home.

Chilean Homestay

Students live in Chilean homestays who will provide 3 meals a day and 1 load of laundry per week. All ASA student housing includes Internet access and is located in safe neighborhoods, within a reasonable distance from the university. Rooms are single occupancy. Bathrooms are shared. Homestays typically host 2-3 students at a time.

Housing FAQs

Yes, if there are no major differences in your and your friend's dietary needs and allergies, we can usually accommodate same-gender roommate requests. You'll complete a Housing Request Form after being accepted, and you can give us the name(s) of those you want to live with. Roommate requests must be mutual, so be sure your friend requests you back!
Rooms are single occupancy. Some homestays host more than one student at a time (typically 1-3 students per homestay) so while there could be other students in your housing, you will have your own room.
ASA will notify you of your living arrangements via email approximately 1-2 weeks before the start of your program. You will receive a description of your homestay and the location, and if there is another ASA student in your housing we will include their name and email address.
If it is a problem with the homestay and not a language or cultural misunderstanding, ASA will move you to a different homestay right away. We have on-site staff in every city who are there to help students with any issues they encounter while abroad, and who check in periodically with students throughout their stay to ensure all is well.
No, but there’s no need to worry! Living in a homestay is the best way for you to learn Spanish, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you will improve. Also, don’t forget that they've hosted international students before, so they understand that you are there to learn their language and want to help you.
A detailed list of what to bring (and what not to bring) will be included in your ASA pre-departure handbook, which will be emailed to you about a month before your program begins. Please consider bringing a small gift for your host, such as a candle, kitchen towel, chocolates, etc.
The food is great and will be typical of your host country. Be prepared to try new things! If you have any food allergies or dietary needs, please let ASA know as soon as possible and we'll be happy to advise you on your options.

Volunteering

Participation 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. Volunteering will add another dimension to your study abroad experience through daily exposure to the culture and personal interactions, resulting in a greater understanding of the local language, culture, and community.

During the third week of the semester, Universidad de Viña del Mar will have an information session about Volunteering, where you can learn about the latest opportunities available, and sign up. Please note that these volunteer opportunities are not for credit. Summer students will also have the opportunity to do up to 18 hours of volunteer work. The following are the volunteer opportunities in which students can participate:

 

Valpo Surf Project: This is an organization that works with underprivileged and at-risk youth in Valparaiso to help improve their English language skills and promote environmental consciousness through surfing, academic tutoring, and environmental stewardship.

 

Freesport: Freesport is an organization that promotes outdoor activities focused on environmental education, sports, and a healthy lifestyle. They conduct recreational activities in the Valparaíso region in La Boca Beach in Concón, ensuring access to water sports for people with disabilities and social vulnerability.

 

Cidemar: This is a non-profit organization with the mission of preserving the aquatic ecosystems and the Chilean coastline and its biodiversity, through science, education, and water sports. Volunteer placements may include collaborating at an information booth showcasing the importance of caring for beaches and ocean culture as part of the Chilean Coastline initiative, participating in scheduled beach clean-ups, and assisting with other projects or ecological routes in other parts of the region.

Excursions

Explore the region with organized trips and cultural activities.

All ASA programs in Viña del Mar include 2 day excursions. Destinations may vary by term. Past terms have included trips to:

 

Valparaíso

Valparaíso

Called “the Jewel of the Pacific,” this city was built on steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This UNESCO World Heritage Site embodies a rich architectural and cultural legacy. It houses Latin America’s oldest stock exchange, Chile’s first public library, as well as 15 extremely rare funicular railways.
Pablo Neruda House and Museum

Pablo Neruda House and Museum

Pablo Neruda was a Nobel Prize winning Chilean poet and is considered by many to be the greatest poet of the 20th century. Tour his house and museum on Isla Negra, where you can learn about his fascinating life – his passionate writings, controversial political involvement, and exile.
Santiago de Chile

Santiago de Chile

Discover the capital city of Chile with a walking tour in the picturesque city center, the popular Mercado Central, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and the bohemian neighborhood of Bella Vista. Take the traditional funicular to the top of Cerro San Cristobal for a panoramic view of Santiago! Descend by cable car to the modern and elegant neighborhood of Providencia and the Mercado Urbano Tobalaba.

Experiences

Unique cultural and educational experiences included in your program.
Getting out and exploring on your own is one of the best parts about studying abroad. Here are just a few of the unforgettable experiences you can have abroad with ASA!
 
Surfing

Surfing

Some have called Viña del Mar the Chilean version of Laguna. There are lots great spots to go surfing not only in Vina del Mar, but all along Chile’s 2,500 mile shoreline. Punta de Lobos in Pichilemu has been baptized the ‘world surfing capital'.
Chilean Vineyards

Chilean Vineyards

Take a vineyard tour - in Casablanca Valley there is an organic vineyard where you can have a picnic and take a bike tour of the beautiful ground.
Hiking

Hiking

Grab some snacks and friends and go for a hike.
Ski and Snowboard

Ski and Snowboard

Go skiing or snowboarding at the Portillo ski resort, only 2 hours from Viña del Mar. Or you can travel to the Andes mountains.
Easter Island

Easter Island

Take a trip to Easter Island and see the ancient stone statues (moai) created by the early Rapa Nui people - there are over 1,000 on the island.
Beaches

Beaches

Take a break from studying and head to one of Viña del Mar’s beaches.
Sandboarding

Sandboarding

Go sandboarding in the beaches near Viña del Mar and Valparaíso, or in the north of Chile which has the world’s driest desert and neverending dunes.
Discover Patagonia

Discover Patagonia

Don’t miss your opportunity to visit Patagonia in southern Chile! Patagonia is an unspoiled, exotic wilderness of mountains, glaciers, forests, fjord, and steppes.

Program Inclusions

What's Included

  • Exclusive "A World of Care" Student Support Suite

  • Room & Board in a Chilean homestay. 3 meals a day and 1 load of laundry per week are included.

  • Tuition for the maximum number of credits or courses indicated on the program course offerings page. Enrolling in more than the maximum number of credits/courses (if permitted by the host institution) will result in an additional fee.

  • Academic Credits: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn to their home institution.

  • Official Transcript: Final transcript is issued by Universidad de Viña del Mar. Upon completion of the program, ASA will provide one free shipment of your final transcript to your U.S. institution.

  • Excursions: 2 day excursions, locations to be decided

  • Cultural Activities in and around Viña del Mar (museum visits, walking tours, etc.)

  • Internet Access: Students will have free Internet access at their host institution and in their program housing.

  • Airport Pick-Up: Group ground transportation is provided from Santiago (SCL) airport for students who arrive on the official arrival date, by the designated time. 

  • Airport Drop-Off: Group ground transportation is provided from Viña del Mar to Santiago (SCL) airport for students who depart on the official departure date, by the designated time.
  • Books, Materials, Lab Fees

  • Site Director: Students will have an on-site director to assist them with any academic or cultural difficulties they may encounter.

  • Medical Insurance: Comprehensive international medical insurance is included. Click here for details on benefits and coverage.

  • Visa Advising: Students are ultimately responsible for obtaining their visa (if required for their term), but ASA will provide detailed, helpful information upon acceptance as to which visa students will need and how to go about applying for one. Please click here and scroll down to "Student Visa Information" to find out if a visa is required for your program.

  • Pre-Departure Handbook & On-Site Orientation

  • Subscription to Safeture Safety-Enhancing Mobile App

  • Subscription to CISI Remote Behavioral and Mental Health Services: telephonic consultations between you and a U.S. mental health professional for the purposes of delivering counseling services, crisis intervention, assessment and follow up.

  • $150 Returning Student Credit toward your next ASA Summer program! (Up to 2 Summer programs)
  • $350 Returning Student Credit toward your next ASA Semester program! (Up to 2 Semester programs)

Not Included

  • Round trip airfare and travel expenses to and from the program location.

  • Local transportation

  • Personal expenses

  • Meals on excursions

  • Visa, Reciprocity Fee (if required).

  • Transportation from the airport if the student does not arrive on the official arrival date by the designated time.

  • Transportation back to the airport at the end of the program if the student does not depart on the official departure date.

For students enrolling in more than one session, housing, medical insurance, and other ASA services and benefits are not provided during the break between sessions. For academic year students, medical insurance during the break between semesters can be purchased for an additional fee, if it is required to get your visa.

Program Calendar

Important dates and deadlines for this program.

Program dates are subject to change. Although date changes are rare, they are typically changes made by the host institution and are, therefore, outside of ASA’s control. If any changes are made to your program dates, ASA is not responsible for fees or losses associated with changing or canceling your plane ticket, additional lodging and other travel costs, etc.

Please do not book a plane ticket until you are accepted to an ASA program and receive written notification of your program’s arrival and departure date.

  1. August 1, 2026

    Arrival and Housing Move-in

    For group airport pick-up, students should arrive at Santiago (SCL) airport on August 1 before 11am
  2. August 3-7, 2026

    Orientation Week

  3. August 10, 2026

    Classes begin

  4. TBA

    Excursions - Locations TBA

  5. September 12 - September 20

    Academic Break

  6. December 4

    Last day of classes

  7. December 7 - December 11

    Final Exams

  8. December 12

    Housing move-out and end of program

  1. March 7, 2026

    Arrival and Housing Move-in

    For group airport pick-up, students should arrive at Santiago (SCL) airport on March 7 before 11am
  2. March 9-13, 2026

    Orientation Week

  3. March 16, 2026

    Classes begin

  4. TBA

    Excursions - Locations TBA

  5. April 25 - May 3

    Spring Break

  6. July 10

    Last day of classes

  7. July 13 - July 17

    Final Exams

  8. July 18

    Housing move-out and end of program

  1. May 30, 2026

    Arrival and Housing Move-in

    For group airport pick-up, students should arrive at Santiago (SCL) airport on May 30 before 11am
  2. June 1, 2026

    Orientation Day

  3. June 2, 2026

    Classes begin

  4. TBA

    Excursions - Locations TBA

  5. June 26

    Last day of classes

  6. June 22 - June 26

    Final Exams

  7. June 27

    Housing move-out and end of program

  1. July 4, 2026

    Arrival and Housing Move-in

    For group airport pick-up, students should arrive at Santiago (SCL) airport on July 4 before 11am
  2. July 6, 2026

    Orientation Day

  3. July 7, 2026

    Classes begin

  4. TBA

    Excursions - Locations TBA

  5. July 31

    Last day of classes

  6. July 27 - July 31

    Final Exams

  7. August 1

    Housing move-out and end of program

Accessibility & Inclusion

We are committed to making study abroad accessible to all students.

Diversifying study abroad is a priority for ASA. Please check out Diversity Abroad’s Chile Travel Guide. If you have questions or concerns about how any of your identities may impact your study abroad experience, please contact us.

 

  • Culture & Ethnicity

  • Disability Accommodation

  • Food & Diet

  • Financial Aid & Money Matters

  • First Generation

  • Gender Identity & Sexuality

  • Mental Health

  • Non-traditional Students

  • Religion

Ready to Apply?

Take the next step in your study abroad journey. Contact our team to learn more about our programs and start your application today.

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