---

Program

In cooperation with International Studies Abroad (ISA), Ohio State presents a unique opportunity for students to enroll in the Spanish Language and Latin American Studies program at the Pontifical Catholic University of ValparaÍso (semester B only). The program is designed for students with no prior Spanish language experience.

Locations

The Pontifical Catholic University of ValparaÍso (PUCV) is located in downtown ValparaÍso,only blocks away from the new metro and the Pacific Ocean. As one of Chile's most prestigious universities and home to 13,000 students, classes will be held here and taught by PUCV staff.

ValparaÍso or Valpo, as it is known by the locals is located 68 miles northwest of Santiago and serves as Chile's primary commercial harbor. ValparaÍso has a very unique layout due to the neighborhoods of the city crawling up the sides of 48 surrounding hills. ValparaÍso's colonial style is very different than the more modern adjacent city of Viña del Mar, which boasts some of the best beaches in the region.

Accommodations

Homestays are required by Ohio State for students participating on ISA programs. Each homestay has been carefully selected by ISA's staff. Living in a homestay, you are provided with three meals a day (except on ISA excursion days) and laundry service once a week for the official duration of the program. This is included in the ISA program price. Students will generally have their own room, but will share the home with another ISA student. Students may have the option of paying extra to be the only ISA student in the home.

Ohio State Program Contact

Jenny Kraft
kraft.51@osu.edu

Courses and Credits 

Please note:  Only semester B is approved for Ohio State students. 

Each course a student takes abroad, regardless of the grade received or how course credit counts toward degree requirements, must:

• Be approved via the credit evaluation process; students are strongly encouraged to do this prior to submitting their applications.
• Transfer back to the student’s Ohio State record.
• Be completed for graded Ohio State credit. This grade will be factored into the student’s GPA.

 Completion of the credit evaluation process does not guarantee the availability of the course abroad. Students are encouraged to have multiple back-up courses approved. Students who cancel their participation for failure to secure approval for desired course work will be subject to the cancellation policy. 
 
Please be aware of the following:

• GPA & OSU course prerequisites determine eligibility; refer to the eligibility section.
• All students must take a Spanish language placement exam upon arrival. Level of testing placement and course enrollment are not guaranteed.
• Course offerings and equivalencies are subject to change based on student interest and university availability. 

Spanish majors/minors: 
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese has reviewed and pre-approved specific courses for this program. Please call 614.292.8485 to schedule an appointment to do the following:

• Complete the advising course selection form. 
• Obtain the required signature for the ISA Credit Verification Form.pdf

Non-Spanish majors/minors: 

• Consult your major advisor regarding course selection and complete the credit evaluation process with the appropriate academic department(s). 
• Students who wish to earn GE level Spanish credit (SPAN 1101, 1102, 1103 and 2000 level GE courses taught in English) may consult with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
• Send ISA Credit Verification Form.pdf to Jenny Kraft (.51) to obtain a signature.

You must complete these steps PRIOR to submitting the ISA application.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to apply for this program, students must have a 2.8 cumulative GPA, have no Spanish language course work on their record and meet OIA's General Eligibility Requirements and Conditions for Participation. All students will also be required to participate in on-campus pre-departure orientations organized by the Office of International Affairs.

Students may not graduate during the same term in which they are participating on a third party provider/direct enroll program.

Application instructions:  This application process takes advanced planning.  Students should not plan to start the application process within one week of the deadline due to the number of elements involved.

Applicants are required to submit TWO applications: 
1.  OIA education abroad application (start at the "Apply Now" at the bottom or top of this page);

• An academic reference from a current/recent Ohio State Spanish language instructor is required. Students with no Spanish language course experience at Ohio State may select an Ohio State instructor from the subject of their choice to provide the recommendation.

2. ISA application.

• IMPORTANT: Students are required to obtain approval from Ohio State via completion of the ISA credit verification form
  (please see "courses and credits" section for additional information) before starting an ISA application. 
• ISA requires all applicants to submit a non- refundable deposit of $95 at the time of application.
• All elements of the ISA application must be completed by the Ohio State deadline. This includes the online application, application supplement (credit verification), official Ohio State transcript, service learning supplement page (if applicable) and resume (if applicable).  Students are advised to order an electronic copy of their transcript and request it to be emailed directly to their ISA Program Manager.  Online order requests may be completed on Buckeyelink under "Academics and Records." 

Passports

Passports are required for every Ohio State study abroad program. For many study abroad destinations, passport information is required to apply for an entry visa (as early as 6 months prior to departure). For information about applying for a passport, go to travel.state.gov.

Program Costs

Students will pay the ISA program fee (minus a $200 discount given to OSU students) and International insurance fee. A waiver of tuition for Ohio State students that participate on university-approved third party provider or direct enroll programming is in effect until June 30, 2021. The ISA program fee includes instruction, room and meals with a host family, on-site orientation, excursions and transfer from/to the airport. Airfare, books/supplies, personal expenses and independent travel are not included in the program fee.

If students withdraw or become ineligible any time 11 days after the acceptance notification from OSU, they will be held responsible for a $200 cancellation fee. Please refer to OIA's Cancellation Policy.
 

Scholarships

Students should begin researching funding opportunities before they have been accepted into a study abroad program. Grants and Scholarships deadlines may occur before the study abroad program application deadline.

Please review ISA's scholarship page for additional funding opportunities.

Students who receive or are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant are encouraged to apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This program is Gilman eligible. Interested students should first verify their existing award package and make an appointment with Student Financial Aid as needed.  After researching the scholarship, students wishing to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship should be in touch with the listed education abroad coordinator to begin working on a competitive application.

Information Sessions 

Wednesday, January 15, 2020: 1-4PM

• An ISA representative will be on campus to hold drop-in advising hours.  Sign in at the front desk in Room 140 Enarson Classroom Building.

Notices

U.S. Department of State: travel.state.gov (travel advisories/country specific safety information) 
Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov/travel (pre-travel health guidance) 

Ohio State reserves the right to change without notice any statement contained herein, concerning but not limited to rules, policies, tuition, fees, curricula and courses. In the event of a change to an existing U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory, CDC Travel Health Notice or other risk designated criteria, the Office of International Affairs reserves the right to cancel any program prior to departure or while in progress. Discrimination against any individual based upon protected status, which is defined as age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status, is prohibited.