Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Valdivia
- Hosted at: Universidad Austral / Austral University
- Location(s): Valdivia, Chile
- Program Type(s): Study Abroad, Intensive Language
Middlebury Schools Abroad
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Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Madrid
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Located in southern Chile, Valdivia offers students an immersive academic experience in one of the country's most scenic and environmentally rich regions. Students enroll directly at the Universidad Austral de Chile, studying alongside Chilean pee... read more
All Reviews
My spanish skills improved, and met lots of interesting people. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
My spanish improved immensely, i made chilean friends ill keep for the rest of my life aidan b - Middlebury College View Entire Review
It was definitely worthwhile. I grew a lot, learned a lot about myself. I learned/advanced a lot in my Spanish and confirmed what I wanted to do career wise. Lola H - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I gained and learned so much from my time abroad. Both academically and in terms of my language skills and my personal growth and confidence. It was challenging but worth it. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
To soak in every day! Yes. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
It was so worthwhile, I had a really genuine local experience and met so many cool people. I spent most of my time speaking in Spanish and hanging out with Chileans. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I improved my Spanish skills, amplified my worldview, met great people, saw amazing places, and created lifelong memories. 100% worth it. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I improved in my Spanish skills as well as my independence and self-advocacy. Although difficult at first, it was worthwhile. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
Feeling comfortable with feeling uncomfortable, learning to express myself in a foreign language A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
Language and living in another country. Very worthwhile. Trevor Livingston - Middlebury College View Entire Review
First and foremost, my comfort with speaking and writing in Spanish improved greatly throughout the semester. I also found it to be a nice contrast from the very busy and organized life of students at Middlebury. I learned to be more flexible, and I enjoyed the opportunity to travel and get to know the region outside of academic... A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
The most important thing I gained from my time in Chile was the ability to communicate comfortably in Spanish. While there is an opportunity cost to staying a full year abroad, in the end it was during the second semester when I solidified my closest friendships and came to feel truly integrated in the university community. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
My internships were also really interesting/intense/mind-numbing-but-still-useful. I did one with CONAF and one with Conservacion Marina. Elias Guerra - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I gained so many new skills! Some include resiliency in new situation, learning to navigate a new city independently, adapting to a different academic setting than I was used to, communication with my host family, taking moments for self care, or emotional breaks when I got overwhelmed, and stepping out of my comfort zone in so ... A student - Carleton College View Entire Review
I developed spanish skills, learned to live independently, learned to deal with people I do or do not like being around Will H - Middlebury College View Entire Review
It was worthwhile, but it was really hard. I got to meet many people who taught me so much about Chile. I also learned a lot about what I am like when all my supports are stripped away. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
Very worthwhile! Celeste A - Middlebury College View Entire Review
Gained valuable lessons about life in South America and Chile, became more culturally aware, learned a lot about Chile, became better at Spanish A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
It was 100% worthwhile, I gained so many skills of how to be in the world that I will carry with me for a long time hannah e - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I gained technical skills but also a more holistic perspective on what life is like outside of where I live. I am excited to keep in touch with the friends I made. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I learned about life outside the US and improved my Spanish a lot. I made some great friends. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I learned how to be more independent and a critical thinker. A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
Language skills and a lot about the culture. Very worthwhile. Karina Zyatitsky - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I learned how to live independently and with housemates. This implies coordinating to figure out monthly expenditures, being conscious of bills and repairs around the house. I gained a profoundly deeper understanding of southern Chilean culture, and got to travel a ton for very cheap. A student - Universidad Austral / Austral University View Entire Review
Learned more of spanish and gained a perspective of chileans and their culture that I didn;t have before A student - Middlebury College View Entire Review
About
Located in southern Chile, Valdivia offers students an immersive academic experience in one of the country's most scenic and environmentally rich regions. Students enroll directly at the Universidad Austral de Chile, studying alongside Chilean peers in courses taught entirely in Spanish while participating fully in university life. Guided by the Middlebury Language Pledge, participants strengthen their language skills through daily engagement with classmates, host families, and the local community while gaining a deeper understanding of Chilean culture and society.
The Universidad Austral de Chile is one of the country's leading research universities and is especially recognized for its strengths in ecology, marine biology, forestry, environmental sciences, and the fine arts, while also offering a broad range of courses across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Situated on the picturesque Isla Teja between the Calle-Calle, Cruces, and Cau-Cau rivers, the university provides an exceptional learning environment that reflects Valdivia's close relationship with its surrounding natural landscapes.
Known for its rivers, parks, vibrant arts scene, and strong German influence, Valdivia is a welcoming university city where students experience a slower pace of life. The city's cafés, museums, public markets, and year-round cultural festivals offer abundant opportunities to practice Spanish beyond the classroom, while the surrounding forests, wetlands, and Pacific coastline make it an ideal destination for students interested in environmental studies and outdoor recreation. Together, the academic excellence of the Universidad Austral de Chile and Valdivia's distinctive cultural and natural setting create an outstanding environment for language immersion and intercultural learning.
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadIntensive Language
Program Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
- Academic Year
Instruction Language(s):
- Spanish
Language Requirement(s):
- Spanish
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Environmental Science
- Architecture
- Latin American Studies
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
- Education
- Spanish Language, Literature
- Biology and Biomedical Sciences
- Neurobiology, Neurosciences
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Psychology
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Geography
- Film, Video, Photographic Arts
- Fine Arts, Studio Arts
- Music
- Business
- History
- Art History, Criticism and Conservation
Minimum GPA:
2.67Website
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