Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in Santiago, Chile

*Due to the global health status worldwide, USAC is making programmatic changes to summer, fall, and yearlong programs, and some options might not be available. These changes are posted on individual program pages on the USAC website.*   Santiago is a city of contrasts: historic areas stand side-by-side with modern urbanism; plazas and parks are oases in the midst of the metropolis. Leading Chile’s considerable cultural endeavors, Santiago boasts symphony orchestras, major dance companies, a host of professional theatre groups, a full slate of concerts and movie theatres, and attractive local markets. Tempt your taste buds with Chile’s tasty cuisine, which incorporates seafood from its long- stretching coastline, fresh meats, and abundant fruits and vegetables. Enjoy traditional empanadas and avocado hotdogs, along with international restaurants all over the city.

Your Liberal Arts program in Santiago lasts a full semester and is designed for students from all academic backgrounds who have Spanish language skills. You will enroll in CIEE courses and host institution courses delivered in Spanish. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Chilean culture. Live and learn in Santiago! Santiago is Chile’s vibrant capital, where Spanish language immersion and rich cultural experiences go hand in hand.

Santiago is a modern metropolis, one that visitors will come to know for its lively neighborhoods and unique charm. A Spanish-immersion program, the IES Abroad Santiago Program - Politics, Social Justice & Language - will help students improve their language skills while observing and learning about sociopolitical topics. Also offered are internship and service learning placements, field trips, and extracurricular activities through which visiting students will have the opportunity to meet Chilean and international students alike. Applicants must have four semesters of college level Spanish before applying to the program.

Santiago, the capital and largest city in Chile, bustles with activity and is home to more than a third of the nation’s inhabitants. Despite its large size, its extensive public transport system, including a subway, makes it easy to navigate. Founded in 1541, the city is nestled in a plain between the Andes Mountains. It is the country’s political, cultural, and economic center and offers visitors a wealth of attractions and activities to explore. Students will enjoy its incredible views, where the city’s skyscrapers and surrounding mountains can be admired from afar, as well as its museums, historic sites, shopping centers, and restaurants.