Overview
Why study abroad in Chile?
Chile has undergone monumental political, economic, and social changes over the past four decades—including transitioning away from a 17-year dictatorship. While studying abroad in Chile, you will explore how Chileans today are building a more equitable and inclusive nation, and you will become part of a larger intercultural movement yourself. You’ll witness the struggle for social justice and reconciliation related to the military regime’s human rights violations, and you will have the opportunity to complete an internship or conduct independent research.
During your excursions, you will spend one week with a Mapuche community in Temuco and you will meet Aymara and Quecha communities in Arica to understand the longstanding challenges Chile’s Indigenous peoples face. In addition, you’ll work on a community project with an NGO and learn about the development strategies local communities are using to confront their unique challenges.
You will also learn Spanish through intensive language instruction and develop the skills to discuss sociocultural issues through classroom learning, cultural immersion, homestays, and excursions.
Highlights
- Explore how Chile’s political and social history impact cultural identity.
- Spend one week with a Mapuche community and meet Aymara and Quechua Indigenous communities.
- Rapidly improve your Spanish through coursework, excursions, and homestays.
- Work on a community project with an NGO in Valparaíso.
Prerequisites
Previous college-level coursework in the social sciences, sociology, anthropology, gender, and/or cultural studies. Three recent semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent and the ability to follow coursework in Spanish, as assessed by SIT.