IES Abroad Santiago

My study abroad experience in Santiago, Chile surpassed my expectations in so many ways. As a member of the Health Studies Program, I took a Spanish for Healthcare Professionals course, did an internship at a community health foundation, and participated in a health studies seminar in which I learned about the Chilean healthcare system as well as the contemporary public health issues facing Chile. One of the aspects I enjoyed most about being part of the IES program was the fact that they are very well connected and very accommodating to meeting students’ interests in order for them to make the absolute most out of their experience. As part of the Health Studies Program, the majority of students choose to participate in the Clinical Observation Seminar in which they do weekly observations of hospitals; however, as one of the only students studying Public Health who was not pre-med, I hoped to do something a little more hands on where I was engaging with community members and also learning about prevention. IES was able to pair me up with a community health agency called Popular Education in Health (EPES in Spanish). This internship was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life. At the foundation I worked on a nutrition initiative and learned about the influence of the Chilean dictatorship on the current status of nutrition in Chile. This experience in conjunction with the IES course called Human Rights in Latin America, helped to shape my interest in learning more about the dictatorship and I am now, as a study abroad returnee, looking for as many ways as possible to integrate my interest in the dictatorship into projects or independent studies I work on at my home university.
In addition, my host family as well surpassed my expectations. At first the idea of living with three brothers was very intimidating. However, my family made sure to include me in everything. A couple of my favorite memories were running most weekends with my host mom followed by yoga sessions and also going to my host grandma’s house with my family for an asado (Chilean BBQ) when my host mom’s brother returned to Chile after seven years of living abroad. IES Santiago does a great job of pairing students with host families meeting their interests and also place you in great neighborhoods. In addition, talking with your host family every day without a doubt improves your Spanish.
Lastly, arriving in Chile I thought I would travel more than I did; however, I do not regret staying in Santiago on the weekends and exploring various museums such as the Museum of Memory and Human Rights. Santiago also has an excellent food/bar/and nightlife scene. However, one of the trips I will never forget is the IES trip to Chiloe, a magical and enchanted Island in Chile’s South.
Overall, I would hands down recommend the IES Santiago Program for its wonderful connections throughout Santiago and beyond. This experience without a doubt will be one that I will remember for the rest of my life!

Studying abroad in Santiago with IES was by far the greatest thing I could have done with a semester of my college career. I was able to solidify so much of what I want to do with my life and I don't believe that I could have done that without this experience. I was able to make lifelong friends, improve my Spanish,realize my passion for environmental policy through my classes at the local university, and really build a home away from home.

I am planning on returning to work and live for a while after I graduate from college, there is just so much more of the beautiful Chile that I want to see and experience and even more of Latin America that I would love to get to know. I really do believe that without the help and guidance IES provided us my experience would not have been the same. They placed me with the most incredible host family, ensured that the classes I was taking both at IES and at the local university were what I needed for my area of study, and they helped us adapt to Chile in a broad sense as well as giving us the tools to navigate the culture on our own. I have attached a few of my favorite photos from my trip.

My decision to study abroad is one I will neither regret nor forget as it provided me the opportunity to grow academically and personally. Immersing myself in a new country enriched my global understanding; however, as much as I learned about Chilean people, history and culture, I learned more about myself.
As I waited at the Minneapolis airport for my thirteen hour flight to Santiago, a range of emotions swept over me: from excited to frightened, to homesick to exhilarated.Before embarking on my IES Study in Chile, I had never left the United States. I worried about how I could communicate with my host family and others. I had doubts about how I would manage all my classes and assignments in Spanish. I worried my GPA would take a irrecoverable hit or that I would be need to spend so much time studying I would miss the opportunities to explore the country.
All these concerns plagued me during my flight, but the moment I saw the IES group at the Santiago airport, I was at ease. The program and its staff provided resources, answers, orientation and ongoing support before, during, and after my trip. Beyond addressing students’ expected nerves commencing a study abroad program, the IES staff also helped me build confidence, acclimate to the country, and encourage me to embrace the uncomfortable by stepping outside my comfort zone.
Before I left for my study abroad program, everyone I knew who had travelled abroad gave me the same pep talk: it will change your life, you will come back a new person, and you will want to continue to travel. At the time, I listened, but it did not sink in. Now, I comprehend what they meant. My semester abroad did, in fact, change me. I gained confidence to communicate, adapt and find my way in another country. I gained curiosity to discover and appreciate another culture’s beauties and differences. I gained critical thinking skills that strengthened my independence, guided me through obstacles and made me more self-reliant. Most of all, I gained a sense of who I am and how I fit into a world much bigger than my home, my school or my country.

I don’t think I could have chosen a better program for me than IES Santiago. I am a premed student studying Biology and Spanish and IES was perfect. I participated in a Health Studies program in which we learned about the Chilean health system and did observations in different hospitals and clinics every week. Not only was IES academically ideal but also the staff and my host family helped me find a second home in Chile. Arriving in Santiago, I knew no one, but I made life long friendships with Chileans and Americans while abroad that I will cherish forever. I am incredibly grateful for my experience abroad in Santiago.

Study abroad. Wow. There is so much to tell and not enough time. Studying in Chile was a great experience that not only built my confidence, but also solidified my path in life. I took classes for my Spanish major, both at the IES center and at the partner-university and I participated in the Health Studies program which allowed me to shadow doctors and nurses in a variety of hospitals in the Santiago Metropolitan area while learning about the health care system in Chile. IES Abroad made it easy enough for me to become immersed in the culture, through my host family, Club Chileno (a group of university students who worked with IES to help us and hang out with us), who were basically my first Chilean friends and the myriad of local staff members who constantly encouraged me to speak only Spanish. My semester abroad was a life-changing experience and I know I will treasure my friendships and the changes that came out of it.

I knew that I wanted to study abroad one last time before my career (nursing) consumed me. I felt that I needed to escape from my life and enjoy one last moment of freedom. I did not know where I was going to go, but I knew that I wanted it to involve healthcare. While searching through the internet I saw that IES had a health program in Santiago, Chile.
To say the least, I applied and ran away, and I do not regret my decision to this day. I found Chile as a whole to be wonderful. My host family made my experience one of the best. They integrated me into their family and loved me as their own child. The children (5 and 13) were fun, loving, and helped me improve my Spanish. The mother and father still keep in touch with me to this day.

My favorite part of my study abroad was the opportunity to see the San Pedro Atacama Desert. The scenery is amazing and a once in a life-time experience. However, I do not recommend traveling too much with fellow US citizens and I recommend enjoying your time with your host family in the city of your study. My host family was so welcoming and so wonderful that they were my favorite part. I still keep in touch with them now that I am home. The academics of this program were challenging and provided opportunity to see a hospital/doctor's office work setting.

Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity, and I’m so glad I chose IES Abroad’s Health Studies Program in Santiago, Chile.
The staff is absolutely incredible. I loved my professors and the support staff were always very helpful. We had observations in hospitals and clinics around Santiago. I got to watch an eye surgery, learn about the indigenous people’s medicine, and visit rural health centers. I learned a ton, but did not find the coursework overwhelming.
All housing for this program is homestays, which is a great way to practice Spanish. My host family was always super helpful and nice.
Santiago is an incredible city with countless things to do. From hiking, ziplining, and bungee jumping just outside the city to clubs, bars, and malls, there’s something for everyone. We had 3 and 4 day weekends nearly every week and traveled all around the country. My trips included visiting Valparaiso, a port city famous for its street art and colorful houses, Pichilemu, a tiny town with amazing surfing, the Atacama Desert, and Cajon del Maipo. After the program, I traveled to Peru for a week with other students from the program. Other students took trips to Argentina, Patagonia, Easter Island, and more.