Viña del Mar & Santiago, Chile
Must be fluent in Spanish.
Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) is a private, non-traditional university in Chile with over half a century of tradition in business education. The university was first created to address the absence of business education in Chile in the early 1950’s. UAI originated from the Valparaiso Business School and at that time, it was recognized as the first educational institution in Chile to offer a program in business administration. Valparaiso Business School was also considered to be a pioneer in business education among other Latin American countries; a legacy that UAI carries on today. Upon success of the business program and other accomplishments since that time, the university has expanded to include a host of academic disciplines, including Psychology, Law, and Government. More recently, the UAI is known for its focus on entrepreneurship, emphasis on practical business, and close-knit student body which allows students to develop relationships throughout their studies.
Please note: students are not accepted into the program until they submit their application and deposit to the UF International Center. You can start your online application today!
The City
Viña del Mar, “Vineyard of the Sea” is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. With long stretches of white sandy beaches, delicious seafood, and wide range of hotels and modern facilities, Viña del Mar is a major travel destination for national and international tourists alike. The city of 300,000 inhabitants is safe and quaint, with many universities and educational institutions in the area. The warm Mediterranean climate allows residents to enjoy many outdoor recreational opportunities in the plentiful green areas, beaches, and parks within the city. Manicured boulevards lined with palm trees and beautiful expansive parks have earned it the nickname of Ciudad Jardín (Garden City).
Santiago is the capital of Chile and home to almost 1/3 of the country’s population. It is a sprawling modern city (reminiscent of Phoenix, Arizona) near the Andes Mountains and less than one hour from the South Pacific coast. Although the weather is dry and moderate, there are snow skiing and surfing opportunities nearby. Chile is a stable and safe country with one of the strongest economies in Latin America. The people are very friendly and the city has many upscale restaurants, shopping malls, and modern housing developments. It also has the added benefit of being a very affordable city in terms of food, housing, and transportation. Students also find that internships are relatively easy to secure in Chile.
Student Life
Both UAI campuses have fairly small undergraduate student populations ranging from 2,000 at Viña del Mar to 4,000 at the Santiago campus. Despite this small setting on-campus, students at both locations are surrounded by thriving student life coming from the multitude of neighboring universities and colleges. It is common for international and local students to spend time together enjoying sport events, attending one of the many local festivals or participating in language exchanges. UAI has a buddy system to help international students experience all that Chile has to offer!
Term Dates
Fall Semester
Early August to late December
Spring Semester
Early March to mid-July
Courses Available
UAI offers an assortment of business courses in Spanish and in English in addition to Spanish language courses. UAI offers a Certificate in Latin-American Studies and a Certificate in Latin-American Business to students who complete 75% of their coursework in those areas.
Use our course equivalency database to find out which courses at UAI can apply to your UF degree. Please see an academic advisor for information pertaining to requesting additional equivalencies.
Language of Instruction
This program is recommended for students at intermediate or advanced levels of Spanish.
Language of operation and instruction for the university is Spanish. However, the Viña del Mar campus has a special listing of English-taught courses for exchange students. Santiago does not have English-taught courses.
All of the UAI students and administrators speak basic English and many will have advanced English language skills.
Grade Conversion
| UAI Scale | UAI Grade Description | UF Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0-7 | Muy Bueno (Very Good) | A |
| 5.0-5.9 | Bueno (Good) | B |
| 4.0-4.9 | Suficiente (Sufficient) | C |
| 0-3.9 | Insuficiente (Insufficient) | F |
Credit Conversion
| UAI Credits | UF Credit |
|---|---|
| 1.5 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4.5 | 5 |
Credit calculations are nearly the same as UF credits.
Estimated Expenses
| Rough Expense Comparison | Semester at UF | Semester at UAI |
|---|---|---|
| UF Tuition | $3,190 | $3,190 |
| UFIC Admin. Fee | - | $425 |
| Health Insurance | - | $175 |
| Airfare | - | $1,500 |
| Housing / Utilities | $2,995 | $2,500 |
| Computer / Cell Phone | $585 | $250 |
| Food | $2,300 | $1,500 |
| Books | $445 | $500 |
| Transportation | $560 | $500 |
| Visa | - | $140 |
| Total | $10,075 | $10,680 |
- UF Cost of Attendance determined by Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
- UAI Cost of Attendance determined by UF International Center
Accommodation
There is an assortment of housing options available in Viña del Mar and Santiago; the exchange coordinator at UAI helps students arrange housing, either alone or with other students. Students can expect to live in a very nice apartment, in a good neighborhood for less than $450 per month (single unit).
Travel Opportunities
Flanked by the main chain of the Andes on the east and the Chilean Coastal Range on the west, there are an array of outdoor activities within a day’s travel from Santiago. The Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, positioned just outside the city, is Santiago’s national and international airport. Bus companies provide transportation from Santiago to most areas of the country and to neighboring Argentina.
Due to its popularity as a fine beach resort, traveling in and out of Viña del Mar can be done with ease. The city is connected by train and bus to nearby destinations, including Santiago and the very close and tourist oriented, Valparaíso. In less than two hours, a myriad of long weekend trips can be reached ranging from picturesque mountain ski resorts to local wineries tucked away in the valleys.