Location
  • Chile
    • Valparaíso
    • Santiago
Term
Fall, Spring
Subject Areas
Anthropology Global Studies Hispanic Studies Latin American Studies Sociology
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Host Family
Language
Spanish

Pricing

Starting Price
21870
Price Details
Tuition details: https://studyabroad.sit.edu/admissions-aid/financing-your-study-abroad/tuition/

Available scholarships: https://studyabroad.sit.edu/admissions-aid/financing-your-study-abroad/scholarships-grants/available-scholarships-grants/
What's Included
Some Activities Airport Transfers Classes Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airfare Meals SIM cards Visa
Apr 23, 2024
Jul 21, 2024
3 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Chile has undergone monumental political, economic, and social changes over the past four decades—including transitioning away from a 17-year dictatorship. Studying 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 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 two weeks with Mapuche and Aymara communities 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.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

Program Highlights

  • Explore how Chile’s political and social history impact cultural identity.
  • Spend two weeks with Mapuche and Aymara indigenous communities.
  • Rapidly improve your Spanish through coursework, excursions, and homestays.
  • Work on a community project with an NGO in Valparaíso.

Program Reviews

4.89 Rating
based on 18 reviews
  • 5 rating 88.89%
  • 4 rating 11.11%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.05
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.75
  • Safety 4.25
Showing 1 - 8 of 18 reviews
Default avatar
Lexie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I really got to know Chile!

My time in Chile with SIT was truly amazing. We stayed with host families, which gave me an unparalleled understanding of Chilean culture. The best part of the program was that we got to travel to the north and south of Chile, which gave me a more in-depth understanding of Chile than I would have gotten just staying in central Chile. The program team was absolutely incredible, and I felt really supported during the independent study period for the last month of the program. Valparaíso is a very hilly city, though, so be ready to walk up a lot of hills lol.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
A big part of the program for me was the independent study project at the end. I wasn't sure if I would be able to complete it given that I hadn't done anything similar, but the SIT staff was so supportive. I thought it was an incredible experience because I surprised myself and produced something I was really proud of.
Pros
  • Good public transit
  • Reasonable workload
  • Supportive and responsive staff
Cons
  • Homestays can be challenging
  • People got sick on the excursions, so some of the activities and community engagement was cut
16 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isleen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Had the BEST time!!

My time in Valparaiso was amazing and exactly what I needed. I felt so at peace and comfortable there. The program paired me with the perfect host family for me and they are a big part of why my experience was so amazing. I created a great relationship with my host family and had the funniest host brothers ever. The food was pretty good and things in Chile are a lot cheaper than the U.S. I will say I had an advantage in the language as a native Spanish speaker and did not really feel out of place.

What was your funniest moment?
My most funniest moment was when my host mom took me out to eat for my last weekend in Valparaiso. My host brothers were extremely funny and would keep making jokes.
Pros
  • good public transportation system
  • not too much homework
  • opportunities to be engaged in the community through volunteer and internship.
Cons
  • people got sick on an excursion so we couldn't do certain things that were planned.
  • there was sometimes a lack of communication on certain things from administrators.
  • living with two brothers could get messy in terms of sharing a bathroom lol
16 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jenna
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Spring 2023 SIT Valpo Experience

My favorite things about this program were the location in Valparaiso and the week-long excursions we did in both the northern and southern regions of Chile. The opportunity to spend time with and learn from the Aymara people in the north of Chile and the Mapuche people in the south of Chile was what initially drew me to this program over other programs in South America. I believe that there is room for improvement in the structure of some of the classes and the administration of the program, but overall I had a great experience.

Pros
  • Northern and southern excursions
  • Spanish classes
  • Location in Valparaiso
43 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rynn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

La Perla del Pacífico

I had a wonderful time! Valpo and Viña are beautiful cities with a lot to do. There are museums, nightclubs, artisan bars, national parks, and even the National Congress.

The SIT team is responsive, patient, and compassionate. I needed medical attention two separate times and each time, each team member checked on me multiple times and helped me navigate the local medical system. I'm also a celiac and finding gluten-free food was hard - but when we traveled, the team always had food I could eat and I could tell that lots of attention and detail had been given to our accommodations and itinerary.

This is an excellent program for folks who are looking to practice Spanish in a safe environment, explore and develop their academic skills in a different language, and conduct research. My host families are wonderful and I'm still in contact with them. Take advantage of whatever you can!!

Pros
  • SIT Team
  • Host Families
  • Opportunities to have support and be independent
Cons
  • The repetitive content of the lectures
  • Navigating the (occasionally unreliable) bus system
79 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eritrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

People and Memories to be Grateful For!

Before studying abroad, I had no idea what to expect. I knew very little about Chile or what it would be like to live and study in a country I'd never been to before. That being said, I think this program was the best one I could have chosen for where I was. It gave me the knowledge I needed to be aware, the support system I needed to feel comfortable, and the uncertainty I needed to be more empathetic. Experiential learning is a big part of this program's academic approach, and it made the experience of learning that much more memorable and meaningful for me. I know that the friends, lessons, and memories that I took away from this program will stay with me long into the future.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have taken more advantage of the time I had there and not put off the things I wanted to do until later. The end of the semester went by like a blur with all of our final assignments and presentations, so I would've done my best to do all of my last trips and activities before then.
105 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Hulda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A new and amazing time!

The experimental learning offered by SIT gave me a wonderful and rewarding educational experience. The classes and excursions helped me learn about the neoliberal system, non-western perspectives into the social, cultural, and economic situations, and indigenous communities. I learned about the unity and power of the people to resist oppression in the country and the fight for equality and justice. was able to go out of the country for the first time and learn so much more about Chile. I feel like I really learned about myself and was able to get a non-western perspective of life and social conflicts. I'm so grateful for this opportunity.

What would you improve about this program?
More interactions with local students in the city.
94 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Dana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Finding confidence and building meaningful relationships!

The educational experience with SIT is so special and unique! I loved learning through experiences and field work. The last month is set apart for internships or independent research projects. I loved stepping outside my normal learning setting (a university) and taking more responsibility for what I was learning and how my Spanish was progressing. My host family was also so precious and a perfect fit! Valparaíso is also so special, living next to the ocean was amazing! If you are Christian, there are lots of great options for churches and Christian community- check out Union Church in Viña Del Mar if you choose this program!

What was your funniest moment?
I accidentally ate another man’s empanada off his plate! At “once”, which is the Chilean meal eaten in the evening, assorted breads, cheese, meat, avocado, and spreads are set out. I didn’t realize the little cheese empanadas were for him in particular so I ate one! He forgave me and we laughed about it :)
95 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Charlie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A worthy program even under extenuating circumstances

SIT Valparaiso is a great program for those who wish to emerge themselves in learning Spanish and value independence. The first month of the program involved many hours of class time that provide a good foundation of the history of Chile that also combined field trips that were very educational. The excursions of this program are a huge highlight as they expose you to the diversity of lives in Chile, as well as the different geography and climate. The final part of the program, which is either an internship or independent study, is a great way to apply the skills learned in the program and the month SIT gives you is plenty of time to complete the assignment without stress.

What would you improve about this program?
I would improve the orientation to be more practical, for example including a walking tour of the city or more information about taking the bus/metro.
97 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers