The Program

STUDY IN URUGUAY!
Charming colonial towns, beautiful beaches, hot springs, and cattle towns on the Argentine border are just a few of the things Uruguay has to offer. Its year-round mild climate, safe cities, good quality of life, and long-standing tradition of democracy make it an excellent site to experience the rich diversity and history of South America.

Location

The Universidad Católica del Uruguay was founded in 1954. It enrolls 4,500 students in a wide range of subjects, including business, communications, education and sociology. The campus is located about a 15-minute bus ride from downtown Montevideo.

Montevideo (population 1.5 million) is the capital of Uruguay. A port city, Montevideo combines a picturesque blend of colonial Spanish, Italian and Art Deco styles, and is surrounded by white sandy beaches. It is also the center of MERCOSUR, South America's free trade zone.

Courses

All students on the program take three "Spanish for International Students" courses. During the spring semester, those courses are Spanish Language (Span 405), Uruguayan Literature (Span Elec UD GE 4), and Historical Process of Uruguay (Hist Elec LD GE 4). During the fall semester those courses are: Spanish Language (Span 405), Uruguayan Literature II (Span Elec UD), and The Thoughts of Latin American and Uruguay (Span Elec UD).

You will also take two courses from regular university offerings to have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in university life. You can choose from courses (in Spanish) from the following departments: Business, Communications, Computer Science, Education, Psychology, and Sociology.

Accommodations

You'll live with a host family, who will also provide your meals. (In the unlikely event that not enough host families are available, ISEP reserves the right to place students in a student hostel.)

Academic Calendar

You may study in Uruguay for either semester or the full Uruguayan academic year. The first semester (our spring) starts in early March and ends in July. The second semester (our fall) begins in late July/early August and ends in mid-December. Exact dates will be available the semester prior to departure.

ISEP-DIRECT
UW-Eau Claire is part of the ISEP-Direct network that gives our students access to many universities worldwide. The best way to think of an ISEP-Direct experience is to imagine that you are going to study at the Universidad Católica del Uruguay, just as international students come to study at UW-Eau Claire. If you are independent, flexible, and adventurous, ISEP-Direct programs are a good choice for you.

ISEP-URUGUAY
ISEP sends approximately 15 students, both from the U.S. and from international partner institutions, to Uruguay each year. The ISEP coordinator at Universidad Católica del Uruguay offers an orientation and registration assistance during the first week, along with a city tour and a regional excursion to introduce you to Uruguay.

Expenses

The estimated Wisconsin resident fee for Fall 2009 or Spring 2010 is $6,525. This includes full-time tuition, housing and meals with a host family, on-site orientation and ISEP and UW-Eau Claire administrative fees. Minnesota residents may apply for reciprocity; residents of other states add $900.

Additional costs include: a passport, a $500 ISEP program deposit, mandatory ISEP insurance, roundtrip transportation, books, and personal expenses. Estimate an additional $3,650 for these expenses.

Total Wisconsin resident cost estimate: $10,175. Cost estimates are based on current exchange rates and may change at any time.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs.  Your financial aid package will be based on actual costs in Uruguay, including the cost of round-trip airfare.   You can learn about additional options, including a study abroad grant through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation; a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad and scholarships for specific majors and national study abroad scholarships at http://uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm.

Eligibility

To apply you must be a currently-enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate UW-Eau Claire student. You must be in good academic standing, and have minimum cumulative resident GPA of 2.75. You may apply as a freshman but must have sophomore standing and have completed Spanish 301 prior to participation.

Application Deadline

Applications for Fall 2009/Academic Year 2009-2010 are accepted beginning September 2, 2008.  The priority application deadline for Fall 2009/Academic Year 2009-2010 is November 17, 2008.

Applications for Spring 2010 are accepted beginning January 15, 2009.  The priority application deadline for Spring 2010 is April 1, 2009. 

Complete applications will be reviewed after these dates. Late applications will be considered if space is still available. Please contact the Center for International Education to find out if spaces are available before submitting a late application. No applications will be accepted after January 30, 2009 for Fall 2009/Academic Year 2009-2010 or after May 1, 2009 for Spring 2010.

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.

Comments  

I came to Uruguay as the only UW-Eau Claire student my semester, with very little knowledge of the country. The Ciudad Vieja (Old City) of Montevideo has beautiful colonial buildings, scenic plazas, and a busy nightlife. The rambla (the avenue that runs all along the ocean shore), is a great place to take an afternoon stroll. My host family is very friendly and has taught me all sorts of interesting things about the culture. Buenos Aires is near enough to go for a weekend trip. If you're interested in getting off the beaten track for study abroad, Uruguay is the place for you!
-Kristi (past participant)

Additional Information

For more information and an application, contact:

Center for International Education
Schofield 111
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI  54702-4004

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu