MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY
Fought over by Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay became independent in the early nineteenth century. For most of its history, it has been a major cattle-raising country and, like Argentina, celebrates its gaucho heritage. During the first half of the twentieth century, Uruguay was the most stable nation in South America, with strong social welfare programs and a relatively egalitarian social structure that made it known as "The Switzerland of South America." However, changes in world trade patterns led Uruguay into economic and political decline, produced the famous Tupamaros movement, and resulted as elsewhere in military rule. Democratic government was restored in 1985, while the rich heritage of egalitarian and social welfare policies continues to be felt.

The smallest and least populated of the nations making up South America, nearly half of Uruguay's three million inhabitants call Montevideo home. Located on Uruguay's southern coastline and separated from its more famous western neighbor in Argentina by the estuary of the world's widest river, the Rio de la Plata, Montevideo is a different world from Buenos Aires. While it, too, is a cosmopolitan city, also of primarily Spanish and Italian heritage, there is also a significant African influence. Smaller, calmer, and less expensive than Buenos Aires, Montevideo nonetheless boasts the usual cultural and entertainment facilities of a major city: including historical monuments, museums, theaters, cinemas, a varied and fascinating, if somewhat under-maintained architecture, the famous Avenida 18 de Julio, as well as stunning beaches, and a unique and lively nightlife. While in Montevideo, students may take classes at the the Universidad Católica del Uruguay, the Universidad de la República, or the Universidad ORT.

Academic Program

Although students do not register for courses until they arrive in Latin America, there is limited course information available on each university's website. Students should use these listings as guides to the types of courses that will be available to them and as a basis for discussion with their academic advisors. In addition to two to four university courses and an internship, students are required to take the "cuaderno" course during their first term of study in Latin America.  


Universidad Católica del Uruguay: Founded in 1985, a few days after the country was returned to democratic rule, this is a private liberal arts institution that has complex historical roots dating back to the first Jesuit educational institution founded in the late seventeenth century in Uruguay. While standing firmly in the Jesuits' long history of providing alternative forms of education in Uruguay, Católica was designed to be complementary to the sole university authorized by the Uruguayan constitution, La República. Católica has a full range of social science and humanities disciplines including economics (though history and literature courses are currently only for foreign students) and is also very strong in the natural sciences.  For available courses, select a facultad under the drop-down menu at the top and click the plan de estudios link at the bottom of the page.

Universidad de la República : Founded in 1838 to be the sole university of the republic, it currently enrolls a total of more than 68,000 students on its numerous campuses throughout the country and employs some 6,000 faculty. 40,000 of these students attend classes in Montevideo, where every major discipline is represented. It would be particularly well-suited for students in the humanities.  For general information on available types of courses, select a licenciado in your chosen facultad within the humanities.   

Universidad ORT : A private institution of some 8,500 students, sponsored by the World ORT, an international educational foundation and social agency founded by Russian Jews in St. Petersburg in 1880 and now centered in London, the Universidad ORT began its existence in 1943, though has only recently been recognized as a university. It is committed to providing universal access to higher education. Unlike most Latin American institutions, it takes pride in its full-time faculty, most with PhDs, who divide their time between teaching and research on the U.S. model. The university is especially strong in the social sciences, the faculty for which is housed in a series of imaginatively renovated buildings located on a block in a charming section of the city.  For available courses, select a licenciatura and scroll down to the plan de estudios.

For general university information, see:
www.ucu.edu.uy Universidad Católica del Uruguay
www.rau.edu.uy/universidad/  Universidad de la República
www.ort.edu.uy Universidad ORT