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  Term Sessions
Curriculum | Spanish Immersion | Costs

The Term Sessions of the University of Virginia Program in Perú will take place from March 3 to July 19 and from August 11 until December 20, 2008 . Classes will take place during the regular Universidad Católica 2008 semesters, running from mid-March to mid-July and from mid-August until late-December.

The Program offers financial aid opportunities for both UVa and non-UVa students attending its Full Term Sessions. These grants are awarded on the basis of need and merit and are described above, in the section on Financial Aid.

Term Session students will have the opportunity of taking either courses specially designed for the University of Virginia Program and conducted in English, or regular Universidad Católica classes and be fully integrated as full-time students. Spring Term Session students may also take up to six credits in Summer Session courses. Each participant in the UVa Program in Perú Term Session is assigned a Peruvian student as companion, to help her or him meet other Peruvian students and integrate into the life of the host university.

Please note that to credit courses towards a major all UVa students must obtain the approval of the appropriate major advisor or departmental Director of Undergraduate Studies. Non-UVa students should seek advice from their International Studies Office or major or minor department regarding transfer of credits.

Term Session students may enroll in 12 UVa credits worth of courses (the maximum allowed enrolment is 15 UVa credits), from the regular Universidad Católica offerings (which can be obtained from the Universidad Católica web site and which require fluency in the Spanish language), from special English language offerings, or from the program's Spanish language courses. Regular Universidad Católica courses, in Spanish, are worth 4 UVa credits, 5 UVa credits or 6 UVa credits, depending on whether they are worth respectively 3, 4 or 5 Católica credits . The special English language offerings for the Term Session include the courses described in the Term Session Curriculum section. All special courses are worth 3 credits each. Term Session students are required to enroll in at least 12 credits (a minimum full-time UVa course load).

When you register for the program you will be advised by the program director regarding your course of study, depending on your interests.

Term Sessions Excursions and Activities

Before the start of term, students will participate in a two/three day excursion to sites of cultural, historic, or ecological significance in the Central Andes, or the central northern or southern coasts of Perú (these may include a visit to the 5000-year old site of Caral, the Amazonic higher jungle around the towns of San Ramón and Pichanaki, the city of Tarma in the Andes, the XVIIth-Century Franciscan Convent of Ocopa, the natural reserve of Paracas; sites vary from year to year and term to term). For example, one possible excursion may include a three night, four day trip to Tarma, Satipo, and Pichanaki, in the Peruvian Central Andes and Central High Amazonic Jungle. Program Directors will accompany students during these excursions. At the start of term, at mid-term, and then towards the end of term, there will be one-day events, around a lunch or dinner, or a visit to the Lima countryside, emphasizing exposure to Peruvian culinary and cultural traditions. All these events are included in the Program’s fees, and they are an integral part of the Term Sessions of the Program, as they provide opportunities to critically reflect upon the experience of being in Perú, and the effect it may be having on the students’ perspectives and cultural awareness.

CLASS SCHEDULE :
Summer Session classes will meet daily, Monday through Friday. Term Session classes will meet as scheduled during the Universidad Católica's regular 2008 semesters. Program participants will be expected to attend class regularly. If admitted to the program, please be prepared to limit your non-program excursions to weekends or holidays. The Universidad Católica does not schedule any special breaks during terms; longer excursions outside Lima should be undertaken before or after the start of term.

PASSPORT :
If you are a citizen of the United States and do not have a valid US passport you should apply for one as soon as possible. Details about other pre-departure requirements will be included in your letter of admission and other information documents you will receive after admission.

FEE PAYMENT SCHEDULE :
A detailed payment schedule will be sent to you shortly after your admission into the program. At different times after you have been admitted but before you leave for Perú, when certain expenses are incurred on your behalf (airfares, for instance), you will be asked to commit to the Program to cover those amounts. A refund policy is available upon request.