USS Awards 30 International Mobility Scholarships to Outstanding 2024 Students
In a ceremony held at the Bellavista campus, students from all four campuses of Universidad San Sebastián (USS) received their diplomas for the Sebastiano Internacional, Santander Movilidad Internacional, Gamboa Rainforest Resort, and Erasmus+ Scholarships.
Students from the Santiago, Concepción, Valdivia, and Puerto Montt campuses gathered at Bellavista, accompanied by family and friends, to receive recognition for their achievements. The scholarships will allow them to participate in academic exchanges during the first or second semester of 2025.
In total, 30 students were awarded scholarships in 2024, selected for their academic excellence, responsibility, and dedication. Many have also stood out through their active participation in university life—whether in sports, leadership roles, volunteer initiatives, or pastoral activities—showcasing their alignment with the values of the USS Educational Project.
The group includes 9 students from Santiago, 11 from Concepción, 2 from Valdivia, and 7 from the Patagonia campus, in addition to one student from the Virtual Campus, who is completing her Advance Degree from Punta Arenas. The scholarship recipients come from diverse academic programs, such as Occupational Therapy, Architecture, Industrial Engineering, Medicine, and Psychology, among others.
Supporting Comprehensive Student Development
Javier Valenzuela, USS Prorector, highlighted the value of this opportunity for students’ holistic development: “More and more of our students are experiencing academic and personal growth beyond our borders, studying at some of the best universities in Latin America and around the world. This opportunity has three essential components: first, overcoming the fear of the unknown—leaving the country is an act of courage that deserves recognition. Second, experiencing life beyond the classroom—students will broaden their worldview by engaging with new languages, cultures, and perspectives, becoming well-rounded professionals. Finally, they will access world-class academic training, reinforcing the strength and pride of USS in this internationalization process.”
The most common destinations include Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and the United States, with prestigious host institutions such as Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Northwestern University, Universidad de Oviedo, and Tecnológico de Monterrey.
Scholarship Programs and Opportunities
During the ceremony, various scholarship programs were awarded, reflecting USS’s strong commitment to the academic and personal development of its students.
Sebastiano Internacional Scholarship
This scholarship expanded significantly in 2024, growing from 5 recipients in 2023 to 20 this year. Fifteen scholarships are dedicated to Latin American universities under the LATAM category, offering USD $2,500 to help cover exchange expenses. The remaining five are Worldwide Scholarships, each providing USD $3,500 to support study outside the continent.
Fernanda Ibáñez, a Physical Therapy student from the Valdivia campus who will attend Northwestern University in the U.S., reflected: “This trip is more than a change of scenery—it’s an open door to new horizons. The academic training I received at USS, along with the university’s agreements with prestigious institutions abroad, gave me the tools and confidence to apply. I know I’ll discover innovative approaches in my field and return with enriched skills and knowledge.”
Santander Movilidad Internacional Scholarship
This scholarship provides USD $4,000 for a semester of study at any university partnered with USS. In 2024, seven students from the Concepción, Santiago, and Patagonia campuses were selected.
Ricardo Chirinos, a Santiago campus student, shared: “Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about engineering and computing. I was the first admitted student in Civil Engineering in Computer Science at USS and have been recognized for academic excellence. I’ve led projects like the Artificial Intelligence Conference and served as vice-president of the student council. I’ve also volunteered and led community outreach initiatives. The Santander 2024 Scholarship is a unique chance to broaden my academic and cultural knowledge—key to becoming a well-rounded professional.”
Sebastián Bunster, Manager of Santander Universidades, emphasized: “These scholarships aim to foster international mobility, enabling students and faculty to enhance their skills abroad. More importantly, they offer life-changing experiences. Learning from other cultures and building global networks creates opportunities for life. We are proud of the USS grantees and trust this will be an unforgettable adventure.”
Erasmus+ Scholarship
Funded by the European Union, the Erasmus+ Program is renowned for its prestige and reach. It supports both student and faculty mobility, reinforcing international cooperation between institutions. In this edition, three members of the Sebastiana community were awarded: two faculty members and one Architecture student, who received their diploma during the ceremony. The student will complete an exchange at Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Spain, with a financial grant of €5,000.
Gamboa Rainforest Resort Scholarship
Two students from the Engineering in Expedition and Ecotourism Management program (Santiago campus) received this unique scholarship. They will carry out internships at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, located in Soberanía National Park, a protected reserve in Panama. The program covers most airfare expenses, while the resort provides food and accommodation, offering an exceptional hands-on experience in one of the region’s premier ecotourism destinations.