The Integrated Studies program at the Universidad Alberto Hurtado (UAH) offers advanced Spanish speaking students the opportunity to take courses alongside their Chilean peers.
API students receive a transcript issued by the Universidad Alberto Hurtado upon completion of their program.
The Chilean academic calendar follows the calendar year. The first semester in Chile is the equivalent of the spring semester in the U.S. Students who wish to study for two semesters in Chile are encouraged to consider the Calendar Year option (spring /fall). Students selecting a Calendar Year program have access to API housing throughout their program. Students selecting the more traditional Academic Year option (fall/spring) will have an approximately 2-month break between semesters during which API housing is not provided.
Students at the Universidad Alberto Hurtado (UAH) must be prepared to complete coursework in Spanish with local Chilean students. All students selecting the early-start option (available for fall and academic year students) or the January Intersession option (available for spring and calendar year students) will complete an intensive Spanish language course in combination with coursework in Spanish. The intensive course consists of three weeks of study during the fall session (the second semester in Chile) and four weeks during the U.S. spring semester (the first semester in Chile). A language placement exam and course registration will take place during the on-site orientation, immediately prior to the start of the standard semester.
Students can choose courses from any department at UAH, including economics and business, education, humanities, law, philosophy, psychology and the social sciences. Courses may be selected from offerings completed by Chilean students during the first three years of each degree program.
Additionally, API students have the option to complete a “Poverty and Development” course. Designed for international students, it provides students with a theoretical overview of poverty and social justice initiatives. As a requirement of the course, students will volunteer at organizations working with local populations to gain a more profound understanding of vulnerable groups within Chilean society.
U.S. credits assigned per course will vary based on the number of UAH credits assigned to each class and the course workload. API’s university partners in Chile operate according to the contact hour system; the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class with a professor. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. semester credits, similarly, divide the Chilean contact hours in a given course by 15.
API students participate in several excursions per session designed to help familiarize them with areas of their host city, country, and surrounding region. The following is a listing of all excursions for API Santiago programs. All excursions are subject to change.
Nicknamed “the Jewel of the Pacific,” Valparaíso was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site. Students will enjoy exploring this architecturally and culturally rich and vibrant city.
Students in Santiago have the option to live in apartments with other API students or with local host families. Host families serve as a unique introduction to Chilean culture. Students will have a private bedroom and receive two meals per day, as well as laundry service once a week.
*We recommend all students apply by the Priority Deadline to allow sufficient time for the student visa application process. Students may still apply by the Standard Deadline but should consult with the Program Manager to check on their specific consulate’s requirements.