IES Abroad Santiago Summer – Health Studies

Studying abroad in Santiago, Chile this summer was truly an experience I'll never forget. Being a student athlete as well as pre-med I didn't know if study abroad would be possible for me. Then I heard of this program: one that combines immersion in Spanish with my interest in healthcare and taking place during the summer so I wouldn't have to miss any of my swim season or valuable classes. The highlight of my experience was one I never expected: my host family. Staying with Chilean natives with little English knowledge was one of my biggest sources of anxiety upon arriving in Chile. However these fears quickly dissipated. My host parents Ceci and Hector took me in and treated me as one of their own. They helped me with integrating into Chilean culture while helping me gain confidence in my Spanish speaking abilities. Although I was only in Chile for two months I really feel as though I got the full study abroad experience. From observing surgeries during my clinical observations, to walking through the streets of Valparaiso on field trips, and exploring the Atacama Desert and the nearby countries of Argentina and Uruguay with my new friends this experience changed my life for the better. I will never forget the people and places that make Chile feel like home.

My summer in Santiago, Chile as part of the IES Abroad Summer Health Studies Program was the most amazing summer of my life. I gained so much experience in the medical field and learned a ton of medical terminology in Spanish, a vital skill in our changing cultural landscape. The staff at the IES Abroad Center were so welcoming and more than willing to help you with anything, whether that was help with academics, travel safety tips, or just finding the best place to buy an empanada. Also, Chile is such an amazing and diverse country with ample opportunity to travel on the weekends to places like the Atacama Desert or Easter Island. This program is PERFECT for those wanting to enter the health field AND learn medical Spanish that will be vital in your career. I am extremely happy I chose to study abroad in Santiago through IES. ¡Viva Chile!

As I look back on my trip, I realized that everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to be. Even through all of the smog it was refreshing and just what I needed. I don't regret anything that happened nor anything that did not happen, like toilet paper that could have been but was never there, or getting attacked by a pregnant lady in the metro, to getting tear gassed after the Copa America final, to friendships that will last a lifetime, to the smiles and hugs of a host family that just turned into family. This trip will stay with me for the rest of my life. Advice: If you love to get away from home, want to speak Spanish, enjoy hiking/backpacking, and love to experience different cultures, this is the program for you!