INTERN PLACEMENT SERVICES
CHILE - FAQ'S
Is airfare included?
No - You are
responsible for your own airfare. We recommend www.travelocity.com or www.statravel.com
Is housing included in the price of the program?
Yes - You will
have your own room in a shared apartment with other Adelante candidates. There
is also an option to live with a local Chilean family. This homestay will
include two meals a day - please inquire for the price difference. There is
also an option to live in a Bed & Breakfast, whereby you have your own room
as usual, your own bathroom and use of the kitchen and lounge areas.
What are the apartments like & where are they located?
We have several apartments ranging from 2 and 5 bedrooms, with 1 or 2
bathrooms. All are close to the beach and within walking distance to shops,
restaurants, gyms etc. Public transport is nearby if needed to get to the
language school and/or your internship.
All
apartments are fully furnished, with most having a microwave, TV, radio, etc.
Sheets, towels, pots, pans are also included. Some apartments have a bi-weekly
cleaning service.
(Note: A $100 deposit is required upon
your arrival. This will be returned to you when you turn in your keys on the
day of your departure from the program, assuming you have left the apartment in
the same condition that it was in when you moved in.)
When can I start?
We place year round, the first Monday of each month.
When does my actual internship work assignment begin?
Program start dates are the first Monday of each month. For the first three
weeks you are enrolled in intensive Spanish language classes for about 4 hours
per day, 5 days per week. After this intensive course, and after an Orientation
at the company where you will be working, you start your work assignment on the
forth Monday of the month. Plan on arriving in Chile the weekend prior to the first
Monday of the month, and plan on leaving the weekend after the last Friday of
the month.
Are any of the internships paid internships?
On a case by case basis, many candidates can receive small weekly stipends,
however there is no guarantee and therefore we advertise that these are unpaid
internships - that way if you do receive a small amount it will be an added
bonus to an already great program, and if you don't, it will be what you
expected and budgeted for upon applying for the program.
Can I receive credit for this program?
All candidates who have sought
accreditation from their university for this program have received it. Check
with your Study Abroad Office or Department Chair for your university's
requirements.
Is placement guaranteed?
Depends - We
work with many companies in Vi�a and Valpariso and to date we have been able to
place 100% of our candidates in the field they requested. However, if you want
to do an internship that requires specific experience or qualifications you
must be able to fulfill those requirements. For example, if you want to do a
Paramedic internship and have no CPR training, no medical education, no EMT
training, then chances are good you will not be placed in that sector.
Do I have to have insurance?
YES - It is strongly recommended that you have insurance.
More and more participating companies and institutions abroad are asking for proof of medical
and accident insurance and our various Directors in-country also may ask you for proof of
insurance (usually a copy of your insurance card showing dates and coverage is valid).
You can use coverage you already have or coverage that someone else carries for you,
or you can purchase coverage just for our program. You can also buy insurance online once you arrive in Spain.
In the past, we have referred people to Arizona-based ASA, Inc. - they can customize a plan for
you based on details you provide.
(see our 'Links' page
for more information). Tell them that Adelante sent you for a small discount 888-272-8288.
Another carrier is Insurance Services of America also based in Arizona. They can be reached at 800-647-4589.
Do I need a work visa or a student visa?
Work visas are never required for any of our programs. These are academic,
apprenticeship programs. In Chile, Americans do not require any type of visa
but you will have to pay a fee of $100 in cash on arrival in order to enter the
country. This is a one time fee called a 'reciprocity tax' that is good for the
duration of your passport. You will receive a 90-day entry permit renewable for
another 90 days while in the country.
Can I stay longer than 3 months?
Yes! - We
encourage all candidates to stay as long as possible for the most in-depth
cultural immersion and language acquisition.
Can I sign up for 3
months and then extend my program once abroad?
No - Both your internship company and
your housing are all pre-booked in advance for a set period of time.
How much should I budget for living expenses per month, above
and beyond what is included in the program fee?
$300 - $400 per month gives you some breathing room to travel a bit, go to the
movies or theatre and have some fun nights out. You can go shoestring &
make it less, or go shopping-spree-happy & make it more. (Remember, the
dollar is historically strong against the Chilean peso. For example, a good 4
course "menu-del-dia" costs around US$3.50).
Is there an Adelante contact in Viña del Mar?
Yes - Oscar
Berdichevsky is the Adelante Director in Chile. Oscar has a lot of experience
in receiving international students in Chile. He runs his own business in the
education industry and serves as Consultant to a large university in their
Study Abroad Department. His education background is Civil Engineering, with a
Marketing emphasis. He finished his studies in Alberta, Canada. He is your
contact while in Vi�a, and is available 24-7 during your entire program.
Is Adelante an employment agency?
No - We are a
company that offers, among other things, a fee-based placement services program
that works with people who are 1) seeking to massively upgrade their resumes,
2) wish to become bilingual and, 3) have a desire to live and learn the Chilean
culture.
What is the deadline for Application packet submissions?
60 days prior to your desired start date is the ideal. However we may be able,
on a case-by-case basis, to place candidates who submit their applications
later than that.
When will I know if I am accepted into the program or not?
Once you have submitted a completed Application Packet, someone from the main
office will contact you to set up a phone interview. This takes approximately
30-40 minutes. After the phone interview, your references are checked and
usually then we can accept you into the program. We will notify you via email
(your �Confirmation Email') within 7-10 business days of the phone interview. This is not a competitive program
whereby candidates compete against each other or compete for a limited number
of spots. Rather, during the interview process a mutual decision is made to
determine that you are the right candidate profile for what you want to do for
your internship program in Chile (see the "Is placement guaranteed"
question above).
Can I be placed if I speak no Spanish at all?
Ideally our candidates have some Spanish language capabilities, the more the
better. For candidates who are truly beginner level, the only options available
are some of the Teaching English work assignments. Inquire for more details.
Are only Americans admitted to this program?
No - we accept
all nationalities, our only requirement is that you are a fluent English
speaker. Please check any visa
requirements for your nationality.
Is there a refund policy?
If you cancel your participation in the program 45 days prior to your start
date or earlier, you will receive a 100% refund of the program fee. If you
cancel 30 - 45 days prior to your start date, you will receive a 50% refund. If
you cancel 0 - 30 days prior to your start date, there will be 0% refund as
well as if you cancel at any time following your arrival in Chile. The
application fee is non-refundable.
When is payment for the program due?
Payment in full is due no later than 45 days prior to your desired start date
in the program. Invoices are sent via email about 7-10 days before payment is
due.
Does Adelante offer
Financial Aid?
No - We do not offer Financial Aid.
However, each candidate who has sought Financial Aid for this program has
received it. The first place to inquire is your university (even if you have
already graduated). There are also community organizations that offer aide and
scholarships, such as Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, women's groups and churches,
to name a few. Adelante will work with you in providing any necessary
paperwork.
Do candidates receive any kind of certificate, letter of recommendation or 'proof of internship'?
While this is not included in the program fee, both the participating companies and the language schools in all countries are willing to create these for successful candidates. You must secure these PRIOR to your return home, as once you are gone it is quite difficult to get these letters. Please request in advance any letters needed and remind as necessary in order to have these documents in order before you leave your intern position.
What should I pack?
Once you are accepted into the
program we send out a comprehensive Pre-Departure Orientation Packet that will
include information on what to pack and much more. It is required reading! Some
initial tips on what to take are as follows: the apartments are fully equipped,
so no need to worry about sheets, towels, pots, pans etc. For your internship,
pack casual business clothes such as slacks/skirts, collared shirts and black
leather shoes (comfortable as you will walk and use public transport every
day.) No jeans or tennis shoes during any interaction with your Chilean
company. For your own travel and leisure time, wear what you want and you can
visit any number of websites to check on weather for any given month.
Can I use my cell
phone in Chile?
We recommend that you buy one once
in Chile. It will cost around US$60 and comes already charged with around 30
minutes of calls. You can then buy pre-paid cards to top up your minutes. These
cell phones are 'pay as you go' so no contracts.
Can I take my
laptop computer to Chile?
The language school where you take
your Spanish classes has a wireless network so you could use your laptop there
if need be. There are Cyber Cafes all around and they are cheap if you opt not
to bring your own. Consider the safety aspects before bringing a laptop with
you.
My friend and I would like to do the program together. Can we live in the same housing?
Yes - Usually we can accommodate a request for candidates to live together. It will be dependent on availability, so the sooner your completed application packets are received, the better chance you have of being able to live together.
Click here for an online Brochure for CHILE
Click here for the online Application forms
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