Interchange Languages

  Chile

• All Other Areas in Chile: 
Pucon

Term: Throughout the year 
Dates: 4 months

Description: We at ITUR offer our students high quality education and unique learning experiences through 'adventure learning'. Apart from the Spanish studies, students in the Interchange Languages program participate in different classes and activities of the adventure tourism degree. Participating in outdoor activities like rafting, rappelling, fly fishing, rock climbing, kayaking and skiing are all part of this program. Throughout the program students also learn about environmental ethics, sustainable tourism and flora and fauna in Chile. Interchange Languages pays special attention to cultural and social characteristics of Chile. The total experience encourages an effective language use in different situations and helps create a wider vocabulary.

Program:
All classes are taught in Spanish which involves a high percentage of oral practice to support the theoretical teachings. Interchange Languages is part of the "Tecnico Guia Turismo Aventura" degree program (officially certified by the Universidad de la Frontera, UFRO) which includes these classes;   if you are interested in transferring these courses to your home university, please speak to your career advisor. We would be glad to help you with all the information you might need.

Highlights:
* Spanish
Emphasis on communication skills: learn and improve speaking, listening, reading and writing in Spanish. The classes are formed in small groups in order to establish a personalized teaching environment. This way the teacher has the awareness of student difficulties and can reinforce these areas in class. The Spanish teacher not only teaches the language but also plays the role of 'student buddy' to orientate and make the students feel right at home.

* Ecology and Environment
This subject looks to educate students on the fundamental concepts of Ecology as the basic science of nature, particularly the knowledge of structure, function and dynamics of the natural eco-systems. With this knowledge it also looks to give students a vision on the impact that humans have had on these eco-systems and how it has created multiple environmental problems that gravely threat the biodiversity conservation and the natural patrimony of our planet.   

* Volcanology
This subject looks to inform students of the basic volcanic knowledge in order to identify, value and use the principal natural elements that make up the volcanic system in the South of Chile, as an educational and scientific tourist resource.

* Interpretation of Cultural Heritage
This specific subject gives students the basic interpretation and communication concepts and techniques of cultural and environmental heritage applied to the design and management of special interest tourism activities such as; adventure tourism, eco-tourism, scientific tourism, ethno-tourism and cultural tourism.

* History and Contemporary Society
The history and contemporary society subject consist basically in the fundamental study contents of social-politico and historical elements that are present in modern society that creates a system related to values, principles and customs which allows to comprehend the world in different forms while being able to interact with it. For Public Relation professionals it is vital to comprehend today's world and by making it necessary to comprehend the different cultural and social manifestations from a historical perspective making it easier to understand and relate these elements which are present in modern society. This would permit the professional of having a transversal formation and vision of today's reality.

* First Aid
First Aid training points to the students' development in dexterity and abilities related to the capacity to evaluate, assist, stabilize, transport and deliver a written report to the nearest medical center with the antecedents that permit the professional, treat the victim in a minimal amount of time.

* Basic outdoor techniques
Basic outdoor techniques goal is to give the students theoretical and practical knowledge in the development of outdoor activities, keeping in mind the application of concepts, techniques and processes in outdoor tasks. This subject and its contents are considered the base for the developmental studies of any outdoor activity.

Student choose one specialty:

1. Mountaineering
The mountaineering course contributes the students, theoretical and practical elements, preparing them to overcome natural obstacles like slopes, rocky structures, cannons, hillsides and mountains with difficult access which students may encounter. Additionally this subject focuses on developing a great physical, intellectual and psychological capacity to encounter mountain dangers and convert them into favorable circumstances thanks to planning process and ascension instructions while permitting them to interact with a group of people in this type of environment.   

2. Paddling
The paddling course gives the students theoretical and practical knowledge that permits them to guide drift boats down class II and III rapids while creating interaction with a group of people in this type of environment.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Chile Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4 - 10

Application Process Involves:

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 2000