Uruguay

STUDY ABROAD IN THE AMERICAS: URUGUAY

Program: Uruguayan Universities / Middlebury College
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay

Is this Program Right for You? The Middlebury School in South America is designed to immerse every student as completely as possible in both the language and the culture of Uruguay. All course work is taught in Spanish. The program strongly encourages students to pursue co-curricular activities in which they have a particular interest. Students have participated on various sports teams, volunteered in schools and social services, joined musical ensembles, interned in businesses — even joined a newspaper staff and a circus! Because the experience of a full academic year abroad is greater — linguistically, culturally, and academically — than the experience gained during a shorter period, Middlebury College strongly recommends that undergraduates enroll for the full year whenever possible.

The smallest and least populated of the nations making up South America, nearly half of Uruguay's three million inhabitants call Montevideo home. Located on Uruguay's southern coastline and separated from its more famous western neighbor in Argentina by the estuary of the world's widest river, the Rio de la Plata, Montevideo is a different world from Buenos Aires. While it, too, is a cosmopolitan city, also of primarily Spanish and Italian heritage, there is also a significant African influence. Smaller, calmer, and less expensive than Buenos Aires, Montevideo nonetheless boasts the usual cultural and entertainment facilities of a major city: including historical monuments, museums, theaters, cinemas, a varied and fascinating, if somewhat under-maintained architecture, the famous Avenida 18 de Julio, as well as stunning beaches, and a unique and lively nightlife. While in Montevideo, students may take classes at the Universidad Católica del Uruguay, the Universidad de la República, or the Universidad ORT.

The Courses/Program: While in Buenos Aires, students may take courses at one of three universities: the Universidad Catolicá del Uruguay, the Universidad de la República, and the Universidad ORT. Students have the option to study psychology, religion, and anthropology at Universidad Cathólica del Uruguay; anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, and history at Universidad de le República; and political science and economics at Universidad ORT. Students choose their university courses in consultation with the School in Latin America staff and their Latin American university’s international office, based on their language ability and academic preparation.

Students normally enroll in two to four university courses per semester alongside their Latin American counterparts; the Cuaderno/Caderno Latinoameriacno, a journal course taught by local faculty and designed to help students process and analyze their experience in Latin America through a series of structured written assignments; and a credit-bearing internship. Internships are available in many different fields and students have worked in many institutions in the arts, education, healthcare, women’s advocacy, local government, economics and social research and city planning. The program director also arranges one major excursion, which is voluntary.

Students are asked to adhere to the spirit of the Language Pledge, which is a commitment to use Italian at all times. All students are strongly encouraged to spend a summer at a Middlebury College Language School before embarking on a semester or a year abroad. Students have found that this gives them the skills and confidence they need to live more independently in the host country and to enter more easily into co-curricular activities that bring them into direct contact with people in the host country.

Please note that Middlebury does not employ any on-site staff at this site. However, the international offices of the host universities in theses countries serve as an immediate on-site contact, while the staff in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile are always available by email and cell phone and make regular site visits.

Housing: Arrangements for accommodations in local homes are made by the Director and his assistant. Students are not permitted to share housing accommodations with other U.S. students.

Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester: early September – late January / Application Deadline: March 15th
• Spring Semester: early February – late June / Application Deadline: October 1st

Requirements:
• 3.0 GPA
• Minimum 5 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent (including 1 language/culture course)
• Enrolled in Spanish course the semester before departure
• B average in Spanish and B average in major

Program Cost Includes: Tuition and housing is billed separately to individual students directly by Middlebury College. For more information: www.middlebury.edu. Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.