3 Will the courses be in Spanish or English?
The courses are in English.  The field placements in Session Two’s Practicum Component do not require Spanish language, but it sure would help to speak some Spanish.  There is an optional Spanish language course, subject to minimum student demand.

4 Do we have to know Spanish at all?
No.  Please stay on for Session Two and take a Spanish language course (Introductory or Advanced) – subject to minimum student demand.

5 What types of work opportunities is available following the completion of the course and with whom?
There are a number of field placements in the Practicum Component (Session Two) of the Chile Summer Program.  There are field placements in the Public Defenders Office, National Police (Carabineros), Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Publico), thinktanks, private law firms, human rights organizations, and a number of Chilean law enforcement and regulatory agencies . 

6 Do I need to fill out a petition to visit another school along with a letter of good standing?
To apply for the Chile Summer Program, please fill out an application, send it with a non-refundable $200 check and a letter from your law school’s administration that you are in good academic standing.  It is up to each student to make sure that the courses he/she is taking in the Chile Summer Program is transferable for academic credit.

7 Do we have to submit the letter of good standing along with the application or can they be turned in at different times?
The letter of good standing can be submitted at a later time, but an application is not complete until all parts of the application are submitted.

8 Is it possible for us to bring our family along?
The Chile Summer Program is a very intense educational experience.  It is not recommended that family members come along.  With limited space for housing and field trips, we are not encouraging that family members join students.

9 Do we have to look for our own accommodation?
No, we include accommodation in the cost of the program. 

10 How do can we know whether the housing is in a safe area? Do we do our own research?
We will be housing students in safe neighborhoods.  Santiago de Chile is an urban center with over 6 million people and suffers crime like other major cities around the world.  Students receive instruction about what neighborhoods to visit and which to avoid.  They also receive training in how to avoid being victims of crime. 

11 How early can we get accommodation?
Accommodation may be available for students starting May 23, 2009.  Please keep us informed as to your arrival dates to Santiago as we will pick you up at the airport and take you to your accommodations.  Students must move out of their accommodations the day after the Session in which they are registered ends.

12 Should we arrange for our own transportation?
If you are arriving at the airport in Santiago de Chile and you inform us well in advance of your arrival (and keep us apprised as to any changes, delays, etc.) we will arrange for you to be picked up at the airport.

13 Will the apartments come all furnished with bedding supplies and towels?
Bedding and towels will be supplied as will cutlery and cooking utensils.

14 Is the Session 2 (Practicum Component) compulsory?
Session Two is not compulsory.

15 Do we need Visa to get into Chile? If so, is it a tourist visa or a student visa?
You can enter Chile on a tourist visa which costs approximately $130US and can be obtained at the airport after you land in Santiago de Chile.

16 Do we need to get any kind of vaccination, an HIV test or doctor report? 
No.  If you require a special diet, please inform us so we accommodate you in the hosted meals and receptions and endeavor to house you with those who have similar diets (ie. Halal, kosher, vegan, etc.).

17 What is the fee for the Visa? 
It is approximately $130US but is subject to change.

18 Should I bring a check to pay for the Chilean visa on arrival or plan on withdrawing cash from ATM? 
In 2008 you could use a credit card at the Santiago airport for the visa.  It is always good to travel with some cash (US cash).  ATMs are located in the airport (in Chilean pesos) once you exit the immigration and customs area. 

19 Would you recommend Traveler’s checks?
You can use travelers’ checks, but ATMs are located throughout Chile.  There is often an administrative fee for using ATMs and often a commission for using travelers’ checks.  In advance of your trip, please alert your credit card companies and banks that you will be traveling and where so they do not block your account while you are away. 

20 Do you have to make our own travel arrangements or is it made by California Western School of Law?
Students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.

21 How much will it cost for the flight? 
The cost can vary depending on airplane fuel prices and the value of the U.S. dollar.  The airfare can cost between $1200US and $1500US for a return flight. 

22 Would you recommend more business casual or professional business attire?
Chileans are formal people so professional business attire is necessary for Session Two.  Depending on where you are interning, there may be casual workplaces.

23 Can we use our cell phone there? 
It depends on your service.  We will be supplying every student with a cell phone and 10,000 pesos of pre-paid minutes to start.  There is a deposit that is required for the cell phone.

24 How/when will you be collecting the cell phone deposit? 
By check, in advance of the start of the Chile Summer Program – it will be $50US and is fully refundable upon the safe return of the cell phone and the charger.

25 Do I need my computer?  
Bringing a Laptop computer is a good idea.  There are ten desktop computers with Internet access at the Heidelberg Center, open during normal Chilean business hours, and available for students to use.

26 Do we need an electric converter, If so, what voltage? 
You will need converters for electronic appliances. You may also need a transformer if your electrical appliance does not allow for 220V.

27 When and where do we buy the reading materials from? 
We will send you a list of books for your classes (other than the Introduction to Latin American Legal Culture) in advance which you should bring to Chile with you.  The books will not be for sale in Chile.  The Introduction to Latin American Legal Culture reader will be sent to you ahead of time by mail or delivered to you in Chile.  The cost for this reader is covered in your tuition and fees.

28 Do we have to book our flight for the optional Buenos Aires trip? 
You are responsible for obtaining your tickets for the trip to Buenos Aires – June 4th (after class – so any flight after 4 p.m. is fine) to June 8th (at night).  Classes start again on June 9th.

29 When will the grades be released and how is it released?
Grades will be released in September.
The transcripts are sent to the students and a copy is also sent to their home schools in case of a visiting student.

30 How are the grades recorded?
For the courses offered in Session One, students will receive a numerical grade. These grades will be forwarded to each law school. (A description of the grade values will also be sent to each law school.) It is up to each law school to determine how they will record the number grade on student transcripts. Students should check with their respective law schools to determine how the Chile Summer Program grades will be applied and recorded. CWSL students only get credit, no actual grade.
For internship, students will receive a pass or a fail.

31 How do we pay for the security deposits and what is the refund policy?
Security deposits’ are taken out from your tuitions and will be refunded upon the final report in late August from the Heidelberg Center Lateinamerika.