Through the University of Iowa’s membership in ISEP, the International Student Exchange Program, UI students have the opportunity to study for a semester or academic year at the Catholic University of Valparaiso. Students on ISEP Exchange have access to the courses, services and activities of the host university as any local student. An ISEP coordinator facilitates housing arrangements and assists with registration. ISEP students enroll in classes from the regular curriculum for local degree-seeking students. This means adjusting to a new and different academic system and requires a fairly high level of proficiency in the foreign language. Planning for additional language study prior to the beginning of the ISEP session may be advisable. Recommended fields include business, communications, geography, economics, international relations and arts. PUCV also offers an option for international students with little prior Spanish or the Contemporary Latin American Studies Program for students with advanced proficiency.

ISEP Direct was developed as an affordable alternative at sites where spaces generated by outgoing Exchange students are not sufficient to accommodate the demand for incoming exchange. The ISEP Direct fee varies by host institution and local living.

UI students earn transfer credit on the ISEP programs.

Program Dates

The university follows the Southern Hemisphere academic calendar.

For More Information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with ISEP, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Valparaiso

Valparaiso is located on the Pacific coast, two hours by bus or taxi to the international airport in the capital city of Santiago. Stairs and funiculars connect the slopes of the city with the downtown area. The old and the new, the real and the bohemian coexist harmoniously. The smaller, nearby Viña del Mar is a modern resort and residential city with shops, beaches and recreational facilities. Valparaiso is home to the Chilean Congress, the university and an active night life. Skiing in the Andes is accessible, as is travel to the northern dessert of the Atacama, the volcanic southern landscape of Patagonia, and beyond to Argentina or Peru.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Travel Arrangements

Students make their own travel arrangements to arrive on campus by a designated date. Specific information will be provided in post-acceptance materials from ISEP. An Institutional Information Sheet will provide detailed information for travel, contacts in the international office, details about housing and other nuts and bolts.

Costs

The Program fee, collected by the University of Iowa, includes tuition, administrative fees, room and board.

The semester program fee on ISEP Exchange is based on 12 s.h. of your regular tuition plus an administrative fee of $425, and room and board in the Mayflower residence halls.

The ISEP Direct fee is posted on the website, and covers tuition, housing and meals; an additional UI administrative fee for the semester is approximately $980 for students classified resident, $2570 for nonresidents.

The Iowa Regents mandatory International Health Insurance is also collected on the U bill.

Additional expenses include air fare, ISEP insurance, visa fees, vaccinations as required, and personal expenses.

In general, financial aid received to attend the University of Iowa may be applied toward the cost of studying abroad. Aid eligibility is adjusted to reflect the total cost of participating on the program. In addition, students are encouraged to apply for need- and merit-based scholarships awarded by the Study Abroad office. Complete information is available in the office.

How to Apply

Students submit their application to the ISEP adviser in the UI Study Abroad office. Please schedule an appointment to review placement options and to obtain a Supplementary Instructions for Application sheet.

Students should also discuss their plans with their academic adviser and other appropriate faculty.

Application Deadline

Exchange:

The on-campus application deadline for fall or year is January 30. For best chances of placement on Exchange, students should have met with the ISEP adviser in December prior to the end of the semester. Deadline for spring semester placement is August 15. Students should have met with the ISEP adviser in May prior to the end of the semester or during the summer.

Direct

Deadlines for ISEP Direct vary by site and are posted on the ISEP webpage. On-campus deadline is 10 days earlier.

A Country Handbook at Placed Students on the ISEP webpage provides practical information and initial visa instructions.

Once confirmed by your host university, you will receive a Participant Placement Acceptance packet from ISEP covering all aspects of your placement. You will also later receive a welcome mailing from Valparaiso with important academic and arrival information.

All UI students attend a general TIPS orientation for Students Studying Abroad. Additional individualized meetings address specific topics, as well as billing and credit procedures at Iowa.

There are no photos available for this program yet. Do you have any photos to share with us? If you do, please contact us at:

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu