Political Science & Politics Study Abroad Programs in Santiago, Chile

I studied in Santiago with Middlebury in Chile, where I was fully immersed in urban Chilean culture while fostering lasting relationships within my program and having the freedom to explore interests, academic and professional alike. The curriculum was the best kind of challenging that pushed me to develop my personal agency, and my Spanish skills absolutely skyrocketed over the course of the semester. I absolutely loved the city of Santiago and its culture; the friendships I made with my cultural mentor, my host family, and the other Midd students were so special. Chile is truly such a welcoming and beautiful country, and I will be forever grateful for the way I was able to fully appreciate it and allow it to shape me and my worldview through immersion.

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.

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.

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.

Studying abroad in Chile was a wonderful and eye-opening experience. It was beautiful because I got to meet so many new people and learn so much from different cultural experiences. But it was also challenging in some ways. Going abroad really requires you to step out of your comfort zone and engage with a different environment. It was scary at first, but it's such a fulfilling and exciting experience. After going to Santiago, Chile, I understood the importance of getting out of your bubble and seeing what's out there. I'm so glad I had this opportunity and I would recommend it to everyone!

In the fall of 2022, I attended the Middlebury Schools Abroad program in Santiago de Chile. I lived with a wonderful host family with whom I remain in contact to this day. I made life-long friends and have gone back to Chile since my Middlebury semester to conduct academic research through my university. My time in Chile profoundly impacted me and changed my life for the better. The Middlebury Staff provided me with amazing opportunities, like an internship at a human rights organization. They also helped me enroll in interesting classes at Universidad Alberto Hurtado (i.e., museums of Santiago and their histories, lingüistic anthropology). My classmates were welcoming and excited to have an exchange student in class. It was hard to integrate into social circles at the beginning, but after putting myself out there a lot and asking a bunch of questions (you have to be outgoing), I made great friends. I liked my study-abroad cohort peers a lot, but I was primarily friends with Chilean people I met at school, the skate park, or a cultural event. I didn't really spend time with other Americans, which helped me improve my language skills significantly. The language pledge, which sets Middlebury apart from other study-abroad programs, was also great. Everyone in my cohort got noticeably better at Spanish throughout the program. I really appreciated all of the staff's commitment to helping students learn about Chilean history so that our time abroad was grounded in knowledge of and respect for the place we were living. I wish we had had more cultural outings in Santiago and Valparaiso because I learned a lot from the ones we did have, especially our trip to the national cemetery in Recoleta and the Museo de Memoria y derechos humanos. However, we did get to go on an incredible trip to Torres del Paine in Patagonia! While the academics were engaging, my university spent a lot of time on strike, so I didn't attend as many classes as I usually do in the US. Because of that, school was not the center of my life. I found my friendships, going to skate parks, visiting museums, taking hikes, wandering around the city, etc., to be super fulfilling. Studying abroad can be a lot of fun, but it can also be lonely and challenging. Santiago is a big city, and you have to put in effort to make plans with people to coordinate travel time. Sometimes, I felt isolated because of that. I leaned on my host mom and the program heads for support when I needed it. I loved my study-abroad experience. Shoutout to Juan, Lindsay, and Paulina!

I had such an incredible experience with CIEE! Between the program coordinators and instructors, easy application process, and communication, I was very happy with my experience with the program in Spain.

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 !!!

Tremendous staff. Environment is like none other and they accommodate well. For Seville, the city has been tremendous and CIEE gives you a proper introduction to this magnificent city. Whether an intern or a student during one of the sessions, you can get along with everyone and overcome the anxieties of a new city

I would be very likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend because this program gives you many opportunities to explore the city you are in as well as the surrounding areas. All of the employees are very kind people who will be their to uplift and support the students who are abroad.

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

I could not recommend studying abroad with IFSA enough. My friends and I all studied abroad through different providers and I no doubt had the most impactful experience out of any of them. While most providers allow you to take classes in English with only exchange students, this program allows you to directly enroll in classes at the local university. This means that they are taught completely in Spanish and that you are taking classes alongside Chilean students. You also have the opportunity to live with a host family which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the culture. The on-site staff is very supportive and helpful throughout the whole experience. If you want to experience something that is a step further than just being a tourist for 5 months I would absolutely recommend IFSA!