Valparaíso, Chile’s second-largest city, enjoys an ideal location between the mountains and the sea. Known for its romantic elegance of cobbled streets and Victorian houses, the city’s natural amphitheater includes 41 hills with spectacular ocean views. Valparaíso’s Historic Quarter, a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage site, and its vibrant life as the country’s “Cultural Capital” add to its charm. Twin city Viña del Mar is Chile’s premier coastal urban center and boasts beautiful beaches and stunning coastline, lavish gardens, subtropical atmosphere, cinemas, and dance clubs.
Make a concrete difference with your study abroad experience in artsy, progressive Valparaíso, Chile. Spend your semester in this maritime seaport city, where you will take action, working alongside other dedicated, socially conscious students to put your learning into practice in the local community. Take classes in English or Spanish while you create sustainable change in the environment around you.
You may select from classes at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. This program is ideal for students majoring in human rights, public policy, engineering majors, and more.
We offer semester study on the Chilean Universities Program in beautiful Valparaíso and Viña del Mar for students from zero to advanced Spanish language experience. Here you can enroll in classes at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso alongside local and international students, and take advantage of an IFSA class built around community engagement.
This exclusive class, taught in English by local professors, is intended to provide you with an understanding of the events and issues that make Chile what it is today.
The Programa Internacional de Intercambio Estudiantil (PIIE) at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso offers Spanish language classes at beginning through advanced levels as well as Chilean culture classes that are accessible to students without any Spanish language background.
If you’ve never studied Spanish before, and you decide not to take an elective language class, you’ll take this introductory seminar to contemporary Spanish language and culture taught intensively during the first weeks of the program.
To complete your course load, you will select courses with locals at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.
Program activities are designed to enhance your intercultural competence by developing your understanding of the local culture and people. Activities are optional, but they are included in your total program fee. They vary each term based on availability, but activities may include:
IFSA excursions are included in your total program fee and though these are optional, most students choose to participate. They vary each term based on availability, but excursions may include:
The following information has been compiled by the Buckman Center for International Education at Rhodes College. This is not an end- all, be-all of costs for off-campus study. Information is not limited to what is listed and all things are subject to change. Any organizations linked are simply there as a means of price comparison – the Buckman Center is not promoting or opposing any particular organization. While we have provided base resources, it is your responsibility to complete sufficient research and finalize your budget model for your program. Everyone has different spending habits; therefore, your personal costs can vary greatly and are subject to the individual.
We appreciate your help in keeping these links live. We ask that you report any broken links to internationalprograms@rhodes.edu with the broken URL or the location of the broken link.
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Be aware in the steps of acquiring a visa any hidden fees such as transportation, travel, time off of work, etc.
Student Visa Fees and Costs around: $50 - $150 (depending on your country of residence)
Though most visas have online applications, there will be in person appointments at consulate offices
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Passport Book and Card: $140
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Power adapter: Chile uses a different adapter from the US
If you plan on traveling to other locations, consider purchasing a universal power adaptor.
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You might run into issues with phone use in other countries, but this usually depends on your phone service provider. Many have international options/packages that will allow you to use your phone in a different country or you can also buy a separate phone made for international use. If you fully own your phone, it should not be difficult to acquire an international sim card once you arrive, and if not, you could use an old phone still in your possession. Work with your own phone service provider to find the best option for your situation.
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Airfare (Greatly depends on location)
If flying from Memphis to Santiago, cost is between: ~$150 to $700 USD for a round trip
These are generalizations, but a ballpark estimate assuming you are leaving from Memphis. We recommend purchasing refundable/changeable airfare, for unforeseen situations. We recommend you purchase the “Cancel for Any Reason” trip protection insurance mentioned on the Buckman Center’s website. Once you purchase your airfare, you have 14 days in which you can add your ticket to this insurance policy so as to be able to recoup some of its expense in the event you are unable to travel.
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Immunization - travel vaccinations are not normally covered by many private health insurance plans (although some plans will cover them) and are not covered at all by Medicare.
Please review the CDC’s site for required and recommended vaccinations and medicines well in advance of travel.
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Make sure you have medical and accident insurance while outside the US. Check with your program, as most programs offer this protection. If your program does not include medical and accident insurance, you must ensure that you purchase adequate coverage. The Buckman Center can help identify insurance carriers for students. Alternatively, if you are included in your guardian’s/parent’s insurance plan, you should check with that insurance carrier to see if you remain covered while outside the US.
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Food/Room (if not included)
Rooming: Dependent on choice of stay and program cost coverage
Be aware that some programs require housing deposits that could cost several hundred dollars. This is the case for most ISEP programs.
Private Flat: average $800 USD per month
Student Dorms: average $600 USD per month
Be sure to do ample research on housing options with your program in my mind
Note that if you spend above average on food in the US, you will most likely do the same abroad
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International Bank Account and ATM fees
Students will most likely continue to use their domestic banks unless they are staying for over a year (most students do not open a new bank account for a semester or year-long stay) However, if you are interested in opening a foreign bank account, do extensive research before making any decisions. Be aware of ATM fees that your personal bank may have in foreign countries.
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Train tickets: $12 – $40 USD (depending on distance from city to city)
Bus tickets: ~$0.50 USD (in city – city to city transport will be more expensive)
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This is subjective but be aware that these are costs that will come up. Average entertainment costs include sports, cinema, excursions, shopping, souvenirs, etc. Be aware of any independent travel on weekends (transportation, hotel, meals, entrance fees to museums, etc.).
