CEA Study Abroad in Viña del Mar, Chile

Why did you pick this program?

Chile has always been a country I was fascinated in, specifically the beautify of it and the diversity of the environment. I've always dreamed of hiking in Torres del Paine in Patagonia and I thought of no better way to do it than to spend a semester there.

I wanted to have a fun experience in a country dissimilar to mine. I researched every possible program going to Chile for a semester and narrowed it down to CEA. They had the best prices for your money and many scholarship options. I wanted a crazy, fun, adventurous program and that is what I got!

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

Don't question it, just make it happen. I know the process is long and hard but it's extremely worth it.

You can't put a price on the benefits and the experiences you receive.

It is by far the best decision I have made in my life. It changed me as a person and helped me realize more of who I am and what I want in life.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Go without expectations. If you do this you will have an incredible time! Chile is a beautiful country filled with beautiful people. Really take time to get to know it. Don't expect anything from anyone or from your travels. Without expectations you can truly explore the country and find your own amazing adventures. Take everything in as it is and enjoy the little moments.

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

While I was in Chile, I traveled to the Bolivian border to do a desert tour. I had already paid for my tour and driven two hours to the border. I found out when I arrived I needed a visa. I had no idea. I was suck in little cement border house with no electricity and no money for several hours (Google Chilean/Bolivian border).

My passport got locked up in a box and I was told I wan't going anywhere. I had only brought enough money for food and souvenirs. The guard spoke no English.

I had to negotiate every possible idea I had in Spanish. Later, a girl came up to me and offered to give me money for the visa. I didn't want to take a stranger's money but she insisted I accept it. I only took $60 of it and bargained my way across the border. I made it to Bolivia - the only problem was that they didn't stamp my passport.

What is your favorite place you traveled, and why?

Definitely Torres del Paine, Patagonia. I had dreamt of going there for years and couldn't believe I was there once I went. I spent five days trekking. Staying at camp sights, hiking glaciers, seeing wild animals and enjoying the most beautiful scenery you could imagine. I recommend if you ever travel to Chile make sure you put this on your list!

What position do you hold at CEA? What has been your career path so far?

I am the Program Director in Viña del Mar. I am in charge of managing students’ housing arrangements, excursions and social activities, as well as being a liaison with University of Viña del Mar for any academic aspects pertaining CEA students.

My career has always been dedicated to education. Since I graduated from Pontifical Catholic University in Valparaiso, I have taught ESL in public education in my home town, which I’ve continued to do in addition to my CEA position in Viña del Mar.

With CEA I have met so many wonderful young people from different parts of the U.S. who have chosen Chile for their study abroad experience. As a director and the only CEA staff member in Chile, I have put all my efforts into helping the students and making them feel supported all the way during their program.

What about the future of the industry? How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

The industry of study abroad will get stronger over the next few years. Globalization is becoming increasingly familiar, and spending four weeks or a semester abroad means more than just learning new stuff or a different language at a foreign university. It is a whole cultural exchange that requires and promotes mutual understanding and respect.

International education has got to turn into a multi-cultural education that explores the relations among global cultures. Every student in every university all over the world will need to learn about other cultures’ political and economic changes as they all get to influence the decision-making of all governments in the different regions of the globe; we are all inter-related in one way or another.

Why is language learning and cultural immersion important to you?

In 2000, thanks to a Teacher Exchange Program by Fulbright Commission, I got the opportunity to live in Indiana and teach Spanish to 8th graders at Crispus Attucks Middle School. My husband and my daughters went there with me but only I knew the language. Therefore, my family had to adapt to both a new language and a new culture; but I had my share of adaptation as well. Living in a foreign country means a lot more than merely learning the language; it is a complex process of adaptability and give-and-take from both sides.

Within a few months, my daughters learned the language at school, I got used to teaching in a public school, we all managed to live our daily lives in Indianapolis and, by the end of the year, the immersion had taught us all a great number of lessons that are still in our memories as a family.

What does your home-country's culture​ value that is taught in your program?

Chile is a rather traditional country; we value our history and roots. So, excursions are intended to learn about literature, indigenous people, wine and geography.

Also, Chile is located in South America and the history of the country is closely related to the other countries of the region, in all socio-political aspects. Therefore, in the curriculum of the programs in Viña del Mar, you will find great coverage of Latin American studies on geography, history and culture.

The Spanish courses cover not only grammar and phonetics but also the cultural aspects of the language. The semester in English focuses on Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Business with courses including Post-dictatorship and Popular Culture, Chile or Latin American Literature and Political History, Human Rights in Latin America, Globalization and Marketing.