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 includes meals and laundry - 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 does the program begin and when can I plan on arriving?
We place year round and programs start the first Monday of each month. We like candidates to arrive the weekend prior to the first Monday of their program. Saturday is preferable to allow yourself time to unpack, get over jet lag and acquaint yourself a little with the neighborhood, eg. finding the nearest ATM, grocery stores, cafes, post office, etc. (NOTE: In SEVILLE candidates should arrive the FRIDAY BEFORE the first Monday of the month their program starts).

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?
All internship positions are unpaid. On a case by case basis, some positions may offer a small weekly stipend, however there is no guarantee. 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 academic credit for participating in this program?
Yes – many candidates choose to receive credit for participating in an Adelante internship program. Credit is issued from the candidate’s own university. Every university or school has different requirements to receive accreditation for a program abroad, so candidates must contact the appropriate person or department (eg. Study Abroad Office, Career Services, Department Chair), to find out what is needed for them to receive credit. For the International Internship Program usually a minimum number of hours must be completed in order to receive credit. In some cases a course number is given to the internship program and credit is issued that way. Adelante will assist with and complete any extra required paperwork or evaluations prior to, during and at the end of the international program, so long as all documentation is received in a timely manner. 

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. Click here for an instant quote or call them at 888-272-8288.

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?
$450 - $500 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. (The exchange rate is around US$1 to 500 Chilean pesos, but this rate fluccuates, so do check the many converter websites for the most up to date exchange rate).

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 Vina, and is available 24-7 during your entire program.

Can I contact a past or existing Adelante candidate as a reference?
Yes - Please take a look at our Online Community site to see entries from our candidates past and present. This site is a live resource Adelante created based on requests from our candidates.  It is a useful tool for anyone looking to participate in our program or any other trip abroad.

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 - our only requirement is that you speak English, to be able to communicate with both Adelante Headquarters and our in-country staff who are required to speak both their native language and English. We have placed candidates from all over the world, including Britain, Japan, Australia,  India, Canada and more. 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.