Typical Chilean dining room in a Valparaiso homestay.

The ISA Office:
The ISA Valparaíso office is conveniently located directly across the street from the Pontifical Catholic University’s main building in Valparaíso and only minutes from Viña del Mar. The office is a large house where the friendly resident staff is available to you during office hours and is on call after hours. They will provide support during the enrollment process at the host university and assist with housing and travel advice. In addition, the office serves simply as a place where you can chat with the staff and your peers, practice your Spanish, and use the kitchen and computer resources.

Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso:
Founded in 1928, the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso (PUCV) is one of the most prestigious institutions of the Chilean higher educational system. Surrounded by palm trees, and only a short walk from the pier in Valpo, the PUCV is located conveniently in the heart of the city.

Viña del Mar University:
Viña del Mar University (UVM) was founded in 1988 and has an enrollment of 5,000 students among its three campuses. ISA students attend classes on the Agua Santa Campus conveniently located right in the heart of ‘Viña’, only a few minutes from Valparaíso. The UVM offers a wide range of facilities and is equipped with the latest technology.

Housing neighborhoods:
Homestays are located in neighborhoods in Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. Although some are close enough to the university for you to walk, "micros" or "colectivos" are the best form of transportation to get to school or the ISA office (see transportation section). Both forms of transportation are inexpensive, and most routes run by the PUCV and/or the UVM. Since the PUCV is located in downtown Valpo and most housing neighborhoods are on the hills, you should be prepared to walk up or downhill from a micro or colectivo stop. Many students living in Viña del Mar take the newly built Metro, which runs along the beach, to school in Valparaiso. This is likely the fastest and most inexpensive mode of transportation between the two cities, although micros are good too.