USAC Chile: Santiago-Latin American & Anthropology Studies

I absolutely loved my time in Chile. Not only were the accommodations and classes perfect, but so was the life outside the classroom. Being located in Santiago, we were right in the capital city with multiple events, and activities you could participate in during your time abroad. It was a beautiful landscape with of a city with mountains, and an ocean in Valparaiso\Viña Del Mar just an hour away. I highly recommend studying in Chile!

My experience was life changing! I met some of the most amazing people I could have hoped to. My host parents were fantastic and made me feel comfortable in a very uncomfortable situation. The program was more than supportive of my queer identity and made me feel safe. I achieved functional fluency in my month-long program and made memories that will last a lifetime.

I am so grateful that I was able to go on this study abroad because not only did it enable me to grow personally into a more confident and disciplined student but it also provided me an opportunity to conduct research and volunteer abroad. Thanks to the amazing on-site staff that set me up with the group choir, a volunteer English teaching program and research opportunities I was able to put all of those on my resume and now as a graduating senior I am a Fulbright semifinalist. Also with the research I began with Chile I was able to receive a research grant from my Univeristy to go back to Chile. I attribute all of these opportunities to the USAC program and structure. Studying abroad especially through USAC can set you up for your profession career while having an amazing time meeting new people while you're at it!

Studying abroad was a wonderful immersive experience that led to improving my Spanish fluency and learning about a culture I most likely would not have been exposed to otherwise. The trips that were a part of the program like going to Valparaiso and Viña Del Mar were great ways to also see Chilean life outside of the capital, as well as see the nature and beauty of the country.

My experience immersing myself in the Cono Sur was truly beyond anything I had ever imagined. Although I had read extensively about the region's challenges and history, nothing could compare to walking the very streets leading to the Palacio de la Moneda, where Allende delivered his final words, or visiting Isla Negra, where Pablo Neruda penned his famous poems. Seeing the beautiful Viña del Mar, a city I had only seen on TV during the renowned festival featuring my favorite Latin American artists from the '90s, was a dream come true. Participating in the student movements and walking alongside college students protesting for their rights in Plaza de los Héroes made my summer unforgettable. USAC provided not only engaging coursework but also deep insights into cultural landmarks. Our close-knit cohort thoroughly enjoyed both the nightlife and the well-planned excursions, which were meticulously detailed and enriching. This experience taught me valuable life skills, such as adapting to a new country where high expenses meant learning to use electric blankets instead of a central heating system, and navigating sensitive political discussions tactfully. These soft skills proved invaluable later in my career at the United Nations, where I find common ground with colleagues from Santiago. It's always a pleasure to reminisce about drinking a terremoto with French fries while listening to Los Prisioneros and savoring a famouse cazuela at the Mercado Central. This journey not only broadened my horizons but also fostered meaningful connections and unforgettable memories. These experiences not only enriched my understanding of Chile but also helped build connections and relate to others in meaningful ways.

it was an interesting experience I enjoyed my trip but there were a lot of hiccups along the way, I don't think this was because of the program but rather just because of the location and language barrier. It was over all enjoyable but I was very excited to go home at the end. For other students I would not recommend this trip

I knew from the start that the Chile program would be the right choice for me--because of my focus in Latin American politics and my Spanish skills--but the program far surpassed my expectations, and I genuinely hope that more prospective students choose this site. Chile might fall off the radar for the average person looking to study abroad, but I want to take a moment to advocate for Chile because of how amazing of an experience it was on all ends--academically, socially, in terms of leisure, and the staff. For starters, it truly is the best of all worlds. You are able to experience the vibrance of a major urban hub, but you can also access close by the most remote spots known to man. I highly encourage Chile, if for the optional tour to the Atacama Desert only. Even as somebody that thought they wouldn't enjoy a lot of the outdoor activities in Atacama, I was proven wrong and it became arguably the best part of my study abroad, especially the amazing star gazing. Chile is also so close to great travel destinations, from Easter Island, Machu Picchu and Lima, Buenos Aires, and Rio (I was able to travel to the last four on that list!). My social life was incredibly lively because I chose the cheapest living option with the most amount of roommates, so it ended up being a win-win. I had a great deal, plus I met many friends. The housing is mostly students from other Latin American countries (my roommates were a friendly mix coming from Mexico, El Salvador, Chile, and Spain), so my Spanish improved a lot. For anybody worried about the Spanish, I noticed other people did fine. Despite what local news might say, I actually found Santiago incredibly safe, especially in comparison to big US cities. Overall, the program was very satisfying, and I sincerely hope you consider studying abroad in Santiago.

Preamble: I struggled a lot with loneliness, frustration, and anxiety, so my review is largely negative. Lots of people in my program had a good time. Some of them, like me, did not have as good of a time. This is just my experience. The good: My host mom was lovely. The program directors were also lovely. The teachers were great. All the people employed by this program were extremely kind and accommodating. The nature in Chile really is beautiful. Chilean Spanish is hilarious. I was dead set on going to South America, and I definitely learned a lot on this trip. The not so good: Class offerings were limited because of low enrollment (<20 students in the whole program). There's nothing USAC could've done, but I was really sad to see the history class cancelled. Also, Chile is hard to see without a car. I traveled less than I would have liked because of this, but again, not a USAC-specific problem. Just be aware of country choice and temper your expectations (there is a reason Europe is such a popular study abroad destination. It is teeny tiny and so easy to get around). The really not so good: - Socializing opportunities through the program were limited to going out to party at 12am in the middle of the week. I don't like doing this, so I felt very isolated. Again, not 100% USAC's fault--I should have tried harder to find other outlets. There were students that liked partying and had lots of friends. Others found external outlets, like dance workshops or dating apps. Some were sad like me. This was a definite negative for me personally. It may not be for you. - Safety in most of Santiago isn't great. USAC houses students in the safest areas, Providencia and Las Condes. It's unlikely anything will happen to you there, but a lot of attractions (and the University itself) are outside this area. In the time I was there, I knew of two locals that were robbed at gunpoint in areas we frequented, plus the usual pickpocketing incidents. To some degree, these problems are avoidable by traveling in groups in well-lit, populated areas. I'm used to moving around cities alone at all times of day without issue, so these limitations felt pretty stifling. Again, this may not be an issue for you if you are used to moving through the world cautiously. - The program setup itself. You are taking USAC classes, with USAC students (a bubble of ~20 people). They take place in buildings owned by Universidad Andres Bello, but you have no interaction with the Andres Bello students beyond seeing them in the hallway. Student clubs are very limited and mostly oriented towards professional development, not recreation. Like most schools in Chile, this is a commuter school, so there are no dorms to hang out in, either. I suppose I could have approached random people in the library and tried to make friends with them. Some people can do this. I cannot. I don't regret going, but I also can't say it was fun. I tried my best. At home, I'm really social and involved with groups focused around my hobbies. I put everything I could into improving my Spanish and was one of the better speakers in my program. My disappointment was not for lack of trying. Living in Chile was just really, really, really hard.

I know Europe is the big destination for American students studying abroad, but think outside the box and into other regions of the world as well! Often the cost of living could be cheaper and the experiences are just as great! I took two full Spanish classes, one Spanish conversation component, and an Anthropology course titled Native Cultures of Chile. I am so grateful for my decision to study in South America, being welcomed by some of the most friendly peoples and learning about some of the most diverse cultures. I was in the city of Santiago, Chile and was able to visit Patagonia, the Bolivian salt flats, and Easter Island (Rapa Nui) on my own time in just the short two months I was there. Along with countless other mini excursions within Chile that were organized by USAC.

I studied abroad twice with USAC, and loved each time. The classes are great, but the best part is that everyone, even the professors, want you to experience the culture and other parts of the country as much as you can. In Chile, I got to go to Patagonia twice, the Atacama desert, Argentina, Valparaíso, and many other areas! In Spain, I had the chance to go to Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Granada, and more! It was such a great community as well. Everyone is there to support you in any way you need.

My study abroad experience in Chile was amazing. It was my first time out of the country, and I'm not fluent in Spanish, so everything was definitely new for me. However, USAC provided fun out-of-city trips, informative classes, and a supportive home stay family. Although I only visited for a month, I felt as though I truly experienced Chile with everything provided and because I could finally hold conversations with my house mom. This study abroad experience was the perfect introduction to being out of the country, and I'll always cherish the time I had in Chile.

My time in Santiago, Chile was filled with friendship, fun, learning, dancing, eating, and most important, cultural exchange. To me, this is the epitome of what a study abroad experience should be. The program supervisors, professors, and local students did an excellent job at providing us U.S. students with a true look into Chilean culture and history. All of the planned activities and trips were so valuable as we covered not only geographical landscapes of Chile, but the history, politics, cultural, and pre-colonial background to each location. The classes were in-depth with important content such as movies, short readings, or class conversations (in Spanish of course) about these same aspects of Chile and how we compare and contrast things such as our political environments in the U.S with those of Latin American countries. My mind has been expanded in a multitude of ways from a linguistic side through learning the Chilean dialect, to a socio-political and global standpoint as well. This program has provided me with memories and crucial knowledge/experience that will carry me through the rest of my studies and into my future endeavors. I am eternally grateful for USAC: Santiago, Chile !!!

This was the best trip of my life - past, present, and probably future. My host family was amazing and I got the chance to see almost all of the highlight locations of Chile (Patagonia, Puerto Varas, Cochamo, Atacama, Pucon, and more) as well as Mendoza & Buenos Aires in Argentina. Definitely take the initiative to plan trips - you won't regret it.

Studying abroad in Santiago, Chile was definitely an experience I will forever cherish. My Spanish has improved so much and I met some pretty cool people. Also, the USAC staff were extremely helpful with setting us up with our host families, giving local advice, and they were very understanding. I got to see a lot of cool places I wouldn’t have seen if I went to Chile on my own plus I learned so many new things. Now I believe I have a better understanding of the world around me and other cultures.

Santiago de Chile was absolutely incredible! On USAC's side, they were there with us students from the time we left the plane, all up until the time we left the country. They were incredibly personable, and always on hand and ready to help. They liked to remain in contact with us, just to make sure we were getting by alright. Now as for the trip itself, it was incredible. Obviously, the first week was kind of challenging, adjusting to something that is so new, however as soon as the school was able to put on some immersion nights where we literally just hung out with other students, the immersion experience just took off. I made friends down there that I am still in contact with today, and I frequently reminisce my daily walks from my house to the metro station, me hanging out in the city's center, and all the fun times I had going out to unique and off-the-path places my friends had taken me to. It honestly was one of the experiences where the place itself had such an impact on me, I did not want to leave when it came time to come back the US. Best believe I am looking forward to the next time I get to hang out with my friends at a Peruvian diner down in Santiago!

As I was the only Italian student in a group of Americans, it was interesting because we managed to connect immediately despite our culture backgrounds. Jorge and Paulina were amazing with us, they were always their for us, Monica our Spanish teacher was very kind and taught us Spanish in an unconventional way, whereas professor Andreas Suarez taught Business ethics in a practical way which helped a lot in my studies

For those looking to travel and improve their Spanish, this is a fantastic program. USAC Santiago partners with a host university, so it's easy to meet Chilean students. They often wanted to practice their English, so we'd sit and talk for hours, switching between the languages. I made friends and got added to Whatsapp group chats for soccer, hiking, and salsa, where I met even more people! I can't say enough about the program directors, who are fluent in both languages and really funny. They led our Friday trips to Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, and more, then let us go to explore in our own way. Another huge benefit is the reduced homework load. Without having to worry a ton about homework, we did what we came to do: went out and practiced our Spanish. The last great thing was the people. USAC attracts students from the entire U.S., and I met a wide range of friends who wanted something more unique than the typical "study in Spain" route for Spanish majors/minors. I only have one down side: the semester is a typical American Jan-May, whereas Chilean semesters go March-July. Thus, we were almost done with the program when many students were coming back to campus and clubs (called "talleres") were starting. Final words: —great people and cultural immersion —come with a decent level of Spanish! It makes a big difference when you try making friends with Chilean students

Studying abroad in Chile with USAC was the best decision I could have made regarding study abroad. I am so happy that I chose to go to South America and become immersed in such a distinct culture that Chile holds. I learned to become accustomed to a brand new way of life and norms than I am used to, and my world view and understanding of others expanded tremendously. USAC provided me with the best opportunities and sense of security, I couldn't recommend a better program!

I had an unforgettable experience studying in Santiago, Chile! I loved living in a nation's capital and big city, it was fun learning my way through the metro and bus system and exploring everything the Santiago has to offer. I would highly recommend studying abroad through USAC because their onsite staff goes above and beyond to provide resources and support for their students to succeed academically and to have the best and safe time during their time abroad. Thanks to USAC I was able to intern at a local nonprofit doing research in which I was able to formalize my Spanish skills and use them professionally daily. The courses were taught by Chilean professors who had a lot of information to share with us and also took us to museums and different historic areas to enhance our learning. I loved learning about Chilean history, politics and economy through the courses offered and also about the rest of the Latin American region. I would also recommend participating in this program during Fall semester because it is a fun and memorable time in the country. This is a time of remembrance and also celebration of their past and they have festivities during September for their independence celebrations. This specific program also offers homestays which was another memorable part of my experience, my family was very welcoming and supportive. Overall, I would highly recommend studying abroad in Santiago, Chile and studying abroad through USAC as well. This program has a lot to offer from professional development to making connections with locals and also giving you the opportunity to travel not only in the host country but outside of it as well.

I would recommend that everyone study in Chile once. There is an extremely accessible bus system that can get you to most parts of the country for very cheap (think $15 USD for a 10 hour ride) and plane tickets to other cities like Antofagasta or Puerto Varas for $30-60 USD round trip. Santiago is in the center of the the country, and because there are rarely classes on fridays you can take a three day trip anywhere you please. The geographic diversity of Chile makes for amazing learning and sights. Santiago itself is NOT a touristy city, esp in the winter so you'll have to practice your Spanish out of necessity. Lean how to navigate public transport and you'' find hidden gems and places in the city that aren't listed on google maps or lonely planet. There's also an amazing underground queer and music scene (shout out colmado, the best coffee shop in the city). I feel that I learned the most from travelling around and talking to people in my hostels, my uber drivers, guides, and friends I made along the way. Also, when the air pollution gets really bad in the winter its nice to escape for a few days of clean air. Between the pacific, the andes, the desert, wine country, temperate rainforests, and patagonia glaciers, you don't even need to leave the country to see everything. I stayed in a program arranged apartment rather than a home-stay, and it was fine but if I had better Spanish skills I would 100% arrange my own housing for much cheaper. Roommates are random but you can coordinate if you want. USAC will connect you to the international students association at Andres Bello if you want to make Chilean friends, but I don't think its really sufficient to really invest in Chilean culture. I recommend making friends through events around the city, tinder, or other social media. The classes are easy. I think a few people found them had, especially the ones taught in Spanish, but they leave plenty of time to explore the city on your own. The staff is helpful as well, but they won't continually check in on you unless you want them to, so you'll have a lot of freedom to do as you please while you're there.