Spring Study Abroad Programs in Vina del Mar, Chile

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!

Living in Viña del Mar, Chile was wonderful! I got to travel throughout Latin America, learned a lot from my peers and professors, and greatly improved my Spanish. Study abroad changed my life for the better. Now I know what I want to do for a living and possible where I want to live. Chile (and Latin America in general) is a wonderful place to be if you want to experience a unique culture and meet TONS of diverse and interesting people. Not to mention the food is amazing! My host family was loving and very informative, and they made the transition to life in another country relatively smooth. Being with a family also improved my cultural awareness and language skills. I highly recommend staying with a family. AIFS made the process relatively smooth, though it was difficult to get in contact sometimes and all of the cultural excursions I choose the program for were cancelled without notice. I did get my money back, though, and used it to explore the country on my own.

When I decided I wanted to go abroad, I was nervous about a lot of things. First off, I was scared that when I went abroad I would have to settle for a location I did not want to be in because I needed my credits to transfer over. Luckily AIFS had a program in a wonderful city with a bunch of classes that would transfer back to my home university super well. When I chose this program, I was overjoyed but nervous about living in a homestay. When I got there I was happily surprised to find that my host family was amazing and provided me with an experience I would not have been able to have if I had been in a dorm/apt. The people that I met in the program were some of the coolest people I have ever known and am happy to call them my friends to this day. If you are looking for a great program in Paris where you have the freedom to meet new people, travel, and find yourself in a new place, I would 100% recommend this to you!

My semester abroad in Granada, Spain was absolutely unforgettable. I decided to stay with a host family and I lived in their home with another student in the same program. Living with a roommate, we became really close friends. My host family was so kind and welcoming, they included us in everything they did. I learned so much Spanish culture and tradition from spending time with the family. The school was called Center of Modern Languages and I had a mixture of Spanish and Business classes. I loved speaking Spanish in class and getting to know other students. AIFS provided a level placement test at the beginning of the semester so that everyone found courses that were appropriate for their knowledge of Spanish. The classes were very fun and I enjoyed going to class. The AIFS program excursions were some of the best experiences/trips that I went on. I was blown away by the Morocco trip as well as the Seville/Córdoba/Gibraltar weekend. The trips were well planned, affordable, and allowed for free time to explore with friends. I made so many connections with locals, got to experience once in a lifetime activities like riding camels next to the ocean, and tried amazing foods. The program application process was hassle-free and the program advisors in Granada are so helpful. I would often visit their office and just chat with them or ask their advice on where to visit on the weekend. They organized cooking classes, art classes, sporting events, and cultural activities like a flamenco show. Granada is such a wonderful city. It is very walkable and the people are very friendly. There are endless tapas bars in the city where you get free food with each drink purchase. I made friends with lots of locals and other students from across the US. I attended exchange club meetings where you get drinks and tapas, and you chat in whatever language you are trying to learn with people from around the world. AIFS did a wonderful job providing opportunities for all of the students in the program to get to know each other. I made a close-knit group of friends and we spent so much time together. I am so thankful for having met them thanks to AIFS. We even visited each other once we arrived back in the US! I would highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to experience Spain on a more personal scale compared to bigger cities. I think Granada is the most beautiful city, and the Alhambra is a must-see!

Although I only participated in the 4-week intensive month program, I will always remember the lessons I learned, memories, and friends I made during my time in Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. I lived with a host family in Viña, and they were the best! They made me feel like part of the family and included me in all of their family gatherings. I learned so much about Chilean lifestyle and made great connections by living with the family. My Spanish proficiency improved greatly in the short time I was there through the intensive classes and everyday practice with family and friends. After my program, I was lucky enough to explore the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina, and it is my favorite place I have ever visited. I would go back to Chile in a heartbeat, and definitely plan to return in my lifetime. The hospitality and kindness of the people that live there combined with the breathtaking natural beauty make Chile an easy choice for a study abroad location!

Wow, what an unforgettable experience my 5 months in Chile have been. I am so grateful I was able to get the opportunity to experience and learn about a different part of the world. I wish to encourage others to consider studying abroad. Chile treated me with nothing but kindness, amazing sights, and fun memories I will always have replaying in my head. ISA was a hands-on program that made me feel prepared and safe. The staff was there in a heartbeat if I had any questions or issues. I was able to go on a few excursions with my program and became friends with the other students within the program. I don't believe I would have as smooth a transition into living in another country without my ISA crew. Although I traveled to other beautiful countries while studying in Chile... I always became homesick for my city Viña Del Mar, Chile. It is truly one-of-a-kind city. You have the coast with the most beautiful sunsets in front of you and a city with every kind of restaurant, bar, and shopping centers you'll ever need behind you. It's impossible to be bored in Viña. At the same time, it is so easy to run on island time since it is still a "beach city". The loud sounds of the waves at night will have you asleep by 9PM.

Berlin is a really wonderful and historic city to live in. My German is basically nonexistent and I still felt like I was able to get around fine. The AIFs staff are very supportive, and the organized actives were well structured and thought out. If you weren’t interested in some or all of the activities, you didn’t have to participate and there was plenty of time to do your own thing around Berlin or travel throughout Europe. I didn’t particularly enjoy my academic experience at Humboldt, there were a few good classes but also a few really awful ones. So, if I could do it again I would probably do the AIFS program with Freie Universität academic program.

Studying abroad with ISA was one of the best experiences of my life. I was originally set to study in Buenos Aires, AR, but due to low enrollment the host institution cancelled. However, ISA was beyond helpful: they notified me immediately and provided me with multiple other scenarios. (Receive a refund, postpone to another semester, study abroad in another Latin American country and informed me of the available options, or study abroad on another continent and informed me of who to contact.) While it was a lot to take in, my questions were answered immediately and I felt understood. This alone made ISA stand out as a communicative and professional company. While abroad, I had the time of my life. The orientation helped us get to know one another well and all of the activities and excursions helped us get to know the area. Living with a host family was lovely and I would not trade these memories for the world.

My colleague and I have had the pleasure of accompanying 21 amazing humans on a 3 month journey that will most certainly change them for the rest of their lives. Thank you to AIFS for sharing Rome with us and attending to every detail that made this an experience that will live with us eternally. The AIFS Rome center staff were excellent in providing impactful excursions, extra-curricular courses, and ensuring that all of us were well informed and provided for in every part of our journey.

I came into study abroad eager and excited, looking to improve my fluency in Spanish. Without realizing though, I also came in treating study abroad as an item on a checklist, but it was so much more! From the warm & welcoming culture of the people, to the rich seafood, that I didn't know you could put in an empanada, to living a 10 minutes' walk from the beach, I fell in love with life there. My host family made me feel so at home and I loved walking and exploring the city every day. The public transportation was easy, though the Micro's were surely an adventurous ride!! Being immersed in this culture swept me off of my feet. Building relationships with the other students studying abroad, the local Chileans, and our residential director was a highlight for sure! While I knew that it was custom to kiss on the cheek when greeting, this still took me by surprise and I had to adjust. I would say that I started to get a bit homesick around week 6 and this probably lasted about a month or so, but our residential director did an amazing job with having these open types of conversations with us, always asking what kind of support we needed and having us reflect. But there was always something to do, whether a festival in Valpo or something hosted by UAI's student exchange team, so getting outside of the house and planning things to look forward to helps with that a TON! Honestly, my heart is still there, and I am seriously considering moving there. I visited the San Pedro de Atacama Dessert and it was stunningly breathtaking!...SO, if you're still debating, let this be your sign to say YES and DO IT!! ;) thank me later, I hope you have an amazing experience!!!

While studying abroad with ISA in Chile, I had a great experience with my host family and made new friends through the program. I did not get as many opportunities to interact with Chileans as I'd thought and the schedule was rigorous but I had a unique chance to learn about Latin American healthcare and politics. It was different than I expected it to be but different is not good or bad-- it's just different. Overall I would recommend studying abroad to every student so that they gain knowledge about themselves and the world around them.

The ISA program in Valparaíso, Chile was fantastic. The ISA staff were quick to respond to any questions or concerns that I had and helpful throughout the entire program. Anytime you needed anything, they were there, but it was never so much that the program felt guided; it is still quite independent. Public transportation was quick, cheap, and reliable so you could get anywhere in Valparaíso or Viña Del Mar with ease. The host families are incredibly kind, adaptable with their exchange students, and an amazing support system to have while abroad. The option to have independent housing is also available if you would like, so the program is very customizable. The academics are also able to be unique to the individual student so earning credit at home should be no problem. Beyond that the cities are full of gorgeous colorful buildings, murals, and stunning ocean views. You are sure to find some great places to eat, shop, and spend time with friends. The locals are typically very helpful and kind. You aren’t too far from Santiago so you can have fun at the Capital or travel easily to different cities in the country. If you love nature, the lakes region, Atacama Desert, and Chilean Patagonia are incredible places to visit. This program was the best part of my college experience and I will always remember fondly. I highly, highly recommend this program to anyone interested.

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad

I definitely had a really exciting and wonderful trip. There were a few aspects like traveling and staying at more cities besides just Salzburg would have been a lot more fun. But the tours and field trips were absolutely incredible and the people who showed us around were amazing! Loved to see the history and beauty all over

From arrival to departure, AIFS made my study abroad experience a 11/10. Great staff through and through allowed for a complete cultural assimilation in the time I spent there. It was the experience of a lifetime that I would recommend to everyone.

AIFS was definitely the right choice for me and I think it will be for anyone else seriously considering study abroad. From the moment I signed up for emails (before applying) to now (over a year out from leaving Germany), I have felt so supported and have had a lovely experience. The included trips and activities were definitely my favorite parts (the street art tour and cooking class especially!) and I’m still in contact with our Resident Director, Nele :)

I lived in Viña del Mar, Chile, a lovely city on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, from July-December 2019 as part of API's study abroad program that's focused on Business and Spanish at the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez. I lived in a comfortable, centrally-located apartment with a retired Chilean grandmother as my host mom and took classes with other international students in both English and Spanish, and it was fantastic. I loved my host mom and my fellow API students, and came out of Chile with deep friendships. The courses were also generally fun and engaging, with skilled professors, but were not particularly challenging and certainly met every student at their Spanish level. API's immersive program also made it possible for me to improve my Spanish to a professional level I had never been able to achieve in the classroom in the US, a highly useful skill in the business world. It allowed me to connect with business professionals in Latin America and learn from them firsthand - I interviewed for an internship in Santiago while I was living in Viña! - as well as let me live the impact of Latin America's economic problems and continuing development. API also provides a program that is incredibly well-supported - the resident on-site coordinator for the program is the nicest, most helpful, and knowledgeable person on the planet, and she genuinely cares about each and every student. She helped me navigate the Chilean health system when I was sick, even to the point of taking me to the doctor herself. She led many fantastic excursions for the whole API group, from a long weekend in the gorgeous Atacama desert up north to a local vineyard tour and lunch. Even when there was some political unrest in Chile and public protests threw a wrench in the semester, she and API were proactive, responsive, and reassuring, and I never felt unsafe. All in all, an amazing program. I highly recommend it.

I studied abroad with AIFS in Viña del Mar, Chile in Spring 2019. It was a great experience. I attended classes at a Chilean university, went on several excursions, and had a great cultural immersion experience in my homestay. I am very thankful to AIFS for the support they provided me while I was abroad.

There is a lot to talk about when reviewing a study abroad experience, but the main things are housing, academics, the location and the program. First, API found me a host family and they ended up being amazing people. I got very close to them and consider them my second family. Second, academics wise, API offers a nice range of classes. There are the classes meant for foreigners, that are easier and focus more on learning Spanish and about culture. Then there are the classes with Chileans, which are obviously harder, but have a wider range of subjects and that are MUCH MORE rewarding in the end. Third we have the location. Vina del Mar and Valparaiso are right next to each other and are both amazing. They are beautiful, right on the ocean, great weather, and they are SAFE (which is important when in S. America). The people are genuinely friendly, and it is easy to get around the city. Lastly, when talking about API as a company, I have lots to say. But in general, the workers in the US were quick to respond and on top of things, and the lady who helped us in Chile was amazing. She made the experience SOOOO enjoyable. I really recommend this program.