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Students have the opportunity to hike through the dramatic landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park, and take an expedition to neighboring Argentina and the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier. They also get to cross the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost part of South America, where you’ll see penguin colonies and explore glacial fjords. And they have the chance to journey to northern Patagonia’s lakes region, home to the beautiful Valdivian forests, the active Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes, and massive blue whales.



 

Prerequisites and Language Requirements

Students interested in participating in this program must be at least 18 years old and must have completed at least one semester of college-level ecology, biology, or environmental studies/science.

Credits and Conversion Scale

You will approx. receive 27 UW credits per session. How our office will determine the amount is through our Credit Conversion Scale for the program. 

If you would like some assistance, schedule an appointment with one of our Program Assistants here.

Courses

Students will take three 4-credit disciplinary courses, one 2-credit language and culture course, and a 4-credit capstone Directed Research course. Some major themes covered in these courses include:

• Climate change resilience
• Glacial dynamics
• Ecological succession
• Penguin behavior
• Coastal and alpine ecology
• National park management 

• Species identification
• Biodiversity assessments
• Spanish language
• Research design
• Data collection
• Scientific writing and presentation 

Please visit the program website to learn more about the courses.

If you’re looking for a record of how courses from this institution have been transferred in the past, visit the credit equivalency database to help you determine what foreign courses might satisfy your academic needs here at the UW.

For more information about receiving credits for your study abroad, visit Earning credits abroad.

Housing

SFS students live and study at the Center for Climate Studies, located near the bustling port city of Puerto Natales – the gateway to the famous Torres del Paine National Park. This scenic city, surrounded by the jagged peaks of Cerro Benítez and the deep blue waters of the Señoret Channel, serves as your home base for expeditions throughout the region.

Students will be housed at the campus with 3 other students. The campus has the following amenities:

• Classroom and study spaces
• Kitchen and dining hall, on-site cooking staff
• Nearby hiking trails and running routes
• Steps away from the town square, shops, and cafes of Puerto Natales
• Short walk to the Señoret Channel, a scenic fjord with views of the Andes

The UW Study Abroad Office can't officially advise you about visas.

The volume and diversity of students participating, the shifting requirements of foreign governments, and the complexity of these applications make it impossible for us to accurately advise you on immigration policies.  

If your program requires a visa, documentation will be provided from your host institution after your acceptance. 

Program Expenses

The Study Abroad fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates. Students must pay the course-related fees directly through the SFS program website.

Financial Aid

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• You can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans.  To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Student Financial Aid.  For more information about this process, consult the Financial Aid section of our website.
• Consult the Financial Aid section of our website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips.

Scholarships

• There are many scholarships designed to fund students studying abroad. The UW administers a study abroad scholarship program and there are national awards available as well.
• Scholarships vary widely in their parameters. Some are need-based, some are location-based, and some are merit-based.
• For UW Study Abroad Scholarships fill out a short questionnaire on your UW Study Abroad program application to be considered.  You must apply by the priority application deadline for the program in order to be considered for a scholarship.  Click the Overview tab to view application deadlines.

• Consult our Scholarships page to learn about UW-based and national scholarships. The Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships, and Awards can help you learn about additional opportunities.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• Contact the Global Opportunities Adviser at goglobal@uw.edu to learn more about how to pay for study abroad.
• Attend a Financial Planning Workshop offered by UW Study Abroad – more information is on the Events page of our website.
• Visit the Finances section of our website.

Application Process

To apply for this program, click the "Apply Now" button and follow the prompts to create an application. After you create your application, click on each of the links on your study abroad application homepage and complete the remaining application requirements: questionnaires, material submissions, and electronic signature documents.

This study abroad program also requires completion of a secondary application specific to the program provider. Visit the program website to complete it.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, you must complete the mandatory pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad. Visit your study abroad homepage to complete this mandatory orientation. You must also attend any program-specific orientations offered by the program director.

UW Study Abroad Office also offers several optional orientations aimed at preparing you for your study abroad experience. You can visit the Orientation section of our website to view the current schedule and to register for any optional orientation sessions that pique your interest. 

Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at disability.uw.edu.

Withdrawals

The UW Study Abroad Fee is non-refundable once the payment contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program may also be responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. Note that no part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun.

The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by UW Study Abroad. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

1. Provide notice in writing to the program director that you will no longer be participating in the program.
2. Submit a signed withdrawal form to UW Study Abroad.

Visit the Withdrawals section of our website for more information.