Study Abroad Programs in Chile

My experience studying abroad in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was one of the best experiences I have had in college. I chose Barcelona because I have always loved Spain and wanted the opportunity to experience Spanish culture, travel, try new foods, and explore a new city. From the beginning, CEA CAPA made me feel welcomed and supported. Moving to a new country can definitely feel overwhelming, especially at first, but the CEA CAPA staff were always there to help and made me feel much more comfortable throughout my experience. One of the things I appreciated most about CEA CAPA was how safe and supported I felt while abroad. The staff were welcoming, approachable, and made it easy to ask questions or get help whenever I needed it. Knowing that I had people there who cared about my experience made being so far from home feel much less intimidating. I also loved that CEA CAPA helped create a community where I could meet other students and feel like I was not alone in a new country. I was able to become more independent while still knowing I had a support system if I needed one. Overall, studying abroad in Barcelona was an experience I will never forget. CEA CAPA gave me the opportunity to experience a new culture, meet amazing people, travel, and grow as a person while also making me feel safe and welcomed. I would definitely recommend CEA CAPA to anyone considering studying abroad, especially students who may be nervous about living in another country for the first time. It made the entire experience feel more comfortable, supported, and exciting.

My experience studying abroad in Barcelona with CEA CAPA was one of the best experiences I have had in college. I chose Barcelona because I have always loved Spain and wanted the opportunity to experience Spanish culture, travel, try new foods, and explore a new city. From the beginning, CEA CAPA made me feel welcomed and supported. Moving to a new country can definitely feel overwhelming, especially at first, but the CEA CAPA staff were always there to help and made me feel much more comfortable throughout my experience. One of the things I appreciated most about CEA CAPA was how safe and supported I felt while abroad. The staff were welcoming, approachable, and made it easy to ask questions or get help whenever I needed it. Knowing that I had people there who cared about my experience made being so far from home feel much less intimidating. I also loved that CEA CAPA helped create a community where I could meet other students and feel like I was not alone in a new country. I was able to become more independent while still knowing I had a support system if I needed one. Overall, studying abroad in Barcelona was an experience I will never forget. CEA CAPA gave me the opportunity to experience a new culture, meet amazing people, travel, and grow as a person while also making me feel safe and welcomed. I would definitely recommend CEA CAPA to anyone considering studying abroad, especially students who may be nervous about living in another country for the first time. It made the entire experience feel more comfortable, supported, and exciting.

This study abroad program was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I have wanted to do a program like this for many years, so it was amazing to actually do it. I loved meeting all of the new people as well as being immersed in a new culture and getting to see a new part of the world.

Truly a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to study abroad in both Southern Patagonia and Antarctica. When else will you be able to travel to Antarctica through the lens of being an exchange student? You truly are integrated into the Spanish-speaking community in Ushuaia with both your host families and your program cohort, and your Spanish-speaking ability increases tenfold. The program director, Maria, is very supportive and wants all of her students to succeed, and will support you through any hardships you may face. The only downside was pre-program departure- the steps are very unclear regarding the need for a Visa, and getting on my flight, I had to purchase another flight outside of the program, leaving Argentina in 90 days (just to prove that I wouldn't overstay the tourist period, not that I would actually be taking this flight to leave the country), which the program said should not be necessary but then I still had to do. I then had trouble getting the ticket refunded, but SIT ended up covering the cost of this extra flight for the headache of it all. Also, homestay families are not created equal- some are definitely more accommodating than others, but Maria and the program staff are all there to help you through any obstacles, and if there is a problem, they are more than willing to step in to resolve it. Overall, even despite the few hiccups, this program is an experience that I will never forget and am so lucky to have had. The nature and hiking around Ushuaia are unmatched, the community is very welcoming, and the educational resources/research in the area are exceptional.

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!

If your goal in college is to experience a wide range of opportunities, this SIT semester (this program in Ushuaia specifically) might be the single best way to accomplish that. You get to see the elusive 7th continent while immersing yourself in the vibrant and unique port town Ushuaia. Your Spanish will improve and you'll get the chance to work with great faculty (shoutout Maria Lola Lida and Solange) and hike beautiful trails with other motivated students!

Going abroad was such an amazing experience that I definitely reccomend to everyone! This program in Chile was so immersive and very supportive throughout my time. Worldstrides planned great excursions for us that made it very fun with always something to look forward to!

When I left for Chile initially, I will admit to being nervous. Many of my friends were going abroad together to larger programs more endorsed by my school, or to English speaking countries with diminished cultural barriers. However, I knew that I wanted a more unique experience, and one that was also justifiable with my pre-health aspirations. The SIT Chile program was truly that and so much more, and I am so glad I left my comfort zone to pursue it! In this review I will talk about a few of my favorite places we visited. Our journey began in Santiago, but the next stop of Arica was where we spent the majority of our time. In Arica, I had the opportunity to integrate into a loving and supporting host family, with whom I talked for hours over meals, went on weekly ice cream trips, had fun at the beach, went on shopping trips to the mall, grocery store, and corner store, and more. They were the family I spent most of my time with, and by the end of the program I had become incredibly close with them. Near Arica, we visited the city of Putre. Putre was my favorite place of the entire trip, however I will admit this occurred after an rocky start. When I first arrived, while I got along perfectly fine with my host family, I did not feel the strongest of connections. However, when I ultimately decided to return alone for my internship period, the program was exceptionally accommodating in allowing me to change to a different host family with whom I had interacted with. I became very close with my second host mother, who worked at the hospital I was doing my internship at. She would pack lunches for me, watch movies with me, and helped me integrate into the hospital community with whom outside of work I would go out to eat or get pizza and play card games. During my internship in Putre, I was completely integrated into the local community despite being the only white person. In my internship I had the opportunity to go on rounds in the breathtaking surrounding communities and assist the staff in delivering primary care in the rural Chilean Altiplanos. In the community I had the opportunity to partake in the Aymaran Cruz de Mayo festival, which involved singing, dancing, hiking and eating traditional Chilean barbeque. I became very close with the Aymaran indigenous medicine doctor who worked alongside western medical practitioners in the hospital, and during this festival he essentially adopted me into his family. I also had the opportunity to participate in the Aymaran K'illpa in the nearby community of Visviri, who also accepted me with open arms. Being accepted into and experiencing the communities of Putre and Visviri has left a profound impact on me, and I am so grateful to the SIT Chile program for facilitating this. A few of my other favorite places we visited during my time in Chile with our program were Temuco, Entre Rios (near Nueva Imperial) and Pucón. These southern cities were incredibly green, with visually stunning rolling hills, lakes and coastal towns. They also held strong ties to the local indigenous Mapuche culture. In Entre Rios, I was fascinated to learn how an incredibly strong traditional Mapuche indigenous culture works in combination with the western medical system. I also lived with a large family on their farm for week, where I enjoyed banter with my host sister, assisting the middle aged family members on the farm, and being spoiled with delicious traditional Chilean meals by the grandparents. Temuco was a larger bustling town, a capital of the south, while Pucón was essentially an alpine vacation getaway. Separate from the program with a few friends during long weekends we also visited La Paz and San Pedro de Atacama. If you go on this program be sure to make time for independent travel, as the experiences I had in these locations were amazing. Overall, the program provided me with exceptional support from both the directors and host families. The experience and global health minor I gained will be directly applicable to my future aspirations in pre-health. The academics were usually lighter, although there were times which were demanding. However, I always found that putting in effort was enough to warrant good grades, even with my initial difficulties of Spanish mastery. If you are willing to put yourself out there and experience immersion into a beautiful culture, then this is the program for you!

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 time abroad in Ushuaia was awesome. Exciting and unique; an extremely outdoorsy and rugged experience. I mean, come on-- I got to go to Antarctica! I got comfortable being dirty and learned to love it. I grew into my capability for doing anything I put my mind to. My host mom was wonderful. I couldn't have asked for a better stay. She took me in as her "daughter" and showed me around, taking me to do local activities, to her favorite restaurants, and on a road trip. Granted, some other students didn’t have as much luck, but if they were truly uncomfortable the program directors found another family to relocate the students to, each time being a large improvement. The program directors were awesome. truly treated us like adults but showed up time and time again, proving beyond doubt that our well-being was of utmost priority. The cohort of students is small (mine was 17 students but I know recent programs have been about ~25); so it’s nice to have a group to do everything with, but if you thrive in crowds or are looking to study at a local university, maybe reconsider how you want your study abroad community to look. The academics were great. Two words: EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. We learned so much from so many different sectors; tourism, fisheries, biology, culture, economy. We learned in so many different places, too: classrooms, museums, mountains, beaches, plains. I practiced my Spanish constantly. The one critique is that I wish my Spanish language class would have been a little more intensive. I think I could’ve learned more in the time we had. If you want a true adventure, to immerse yourself in Spanish language and Argentine culture, to be outside, and to learn with your senses with a small group, this is the program for you.

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 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.

This program was incredible! Not only are you traveling to some of the most beautiful and unique ecosystems, you also get to experience them with a deeper understanding of the environmental and social issues at play. This course felt like a great balance of classroom academics, hands on experiences, and also the individual freedom to explore what interests you. It also is an excellent way to become more confident in your Spanish and your skills at adapting to new cultures, especially with the amazing experience of living with a host family. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves the outdoors, adventuring, and trying new things!

I chose SIT Study Abroad’s Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment program in Arica, Chile because of its focus on immersive experiential learning. The program incorporated several extended field visits to many places across Chile where I was able to learn about public health in both urban and rural contexts, as well as improve my Spanish-speaking abilities. The program staff are very organized and incredibly kind and welcoming- they took great care of us. I was also able to travel outside of Chile: one of my favorite experiences was traveling to Peru with a few friends during our spring break to see Machu Picchu!

I absolutely loved this study abroad program, and would recommend it highly to anyone considering exploring public health in a meaningful way! The coursework was very manageable with LOTS of real world experience, and the program really integrates you both into Chilean life and traditional medicine practice. My host family was incredible, I loved the cohort of students I was privileged to study abroad with, and I have zero regrets about the experience! If you want to get out of your comfort zone and come away with a life-changing public health experience, this is the program for you!

I loved my time in Ushuaia, Argentina, with SIT! The academics were specific to the region, while being able to be applied to different areas of the world, if you think big picture. The trips were carefully planned and highlighted what we were learning in the classroom, while also just being fun. I spent a lot of time on the trails nearby, both hiking in groups and also on solo hikes! Ushuaia has something for everyone, and I highly recommend this program!

The academic and program directors are amazing and really provide an immersive experience. You get to learn from experts across various disciplines and community members. You become very familiar with the program location and the province in general. Antarctica alone makes the whole experience worth it! The internship was very research focused and gives you the opportunity to exercise your project management skills and conduct an independent study. Public transport in the city was reliable and safe. Hiking was mind-blowing.

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 time in Ushuaia, Argentina was a highlight of my college experience. If you are looking to improve your Spanish, expose yourself to a new culture, and live in one of the most beautiful small cities in Patagonia along the "end of the Earth", this is the program for you. Ushuaia itself is like a big small town nestled between the end of the Andes mountain range and the ocean. So, there's plenty to do as long as you like hiking, skiing, and immersing yourself in local culture. For example, with other students from the program, I went skiing, horseback riding along the beach, and hiking (sometimes with our host families, too!) in my spare time. The people you will meet are kind, friendly, and warm. Beyond your course programming — which does a wonderful job introducing you to local history, sites of interest, and activities — taking advantage of your stay with a host family can open up lots of doors for you as well. For example, my host sister was around my age and with her, I felt included into her friend group and her family. I joined a local rugby club and experienced everything from the movie theater and mall to nightlife. Doing all of this in Spanish with my host family and friends helped me improve my language in a way that felt natural and fun. Of course, there are challenges to any experience like this, but in my opinion, SIT sets you up for success so long as you are ready to take advantage of all that Ushuaia and its people have to offer.