Chile: Santiago - Spanish Language, Culture, International Studies

Santiago Chile was a place I knew, but never #1 on my list, but when I heard about the program and learned more, I knew it would be a perfect fit. I loved the location being a city surrounded by mountains, with an eco-urban feel. There was so much to explore and experience. I felt fully supported by our tour guides during class excursions, and their recommendations for our free time, based on our interests. The accommodations and the student residence were above and beyond with kitchen supplies, and of course learned in an unforgettable way

I am so grateful that I was able to go on this study abroad because not only did it enable me to grow personally into a more confident and disciplined student but it also provided me an opportunity to conduct research and volunteer abroad. Thanks to the amazing on-site staff that set me up with the group choir, a volunteer English teaching program and research opportunities I was able to put all of those on my resume and now as a graduating senior I am a Fulbright semifinalist. Also with the research I began with Chile I was able to receive a research grant from my Univeristy to go back to Chile. I attribute all of these opportunities to the USAC program and structure. Studying abroad especially through USAC can set you up for your profession career while having an amazing time meeting new people while you're at it!

My study abroad experience changed my life. Santiago is a must-see city with so many things to do. My Spanish drastically improved, though I will say the Chilean accent is hard to understand at times. The city is very easy to navigate and accessible for the blind, hard-of-hearing, and wheelchair users. I recommend this program to anyone studying international relations, because the classes are tailored to that, but also to anyone studying the Spanish language. I study TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and I was able to finish my Spanish minor with this program.

I had a lot of fun in Santiago, Chile. It has a robust public transport system, so I was able to see a lot of the city. For the most part, I was engaged in my classes. I liked all of my professors and the actual area around campus and my home were a lot of fun to be in. There was plenty to do in Santiago. I felt safe most of the time. There is a bit of a problem with pick pockets, especially on the subways. One of the students in our program had her phone stolen, and a couple of others dealt with attempts. However, we were properly briefed about it and I felt more or less safe and prepared as long as I maintained minimum vigilance. My Santiago semester was my favorite semester in my college career.

Studying abroad in Chile was an incredible experience for so many reasons. The city is expansive, with plenty of things to see and do. However, I would say visiting the north and south is a must-do because you will see things unlike anywhere else in the world, especially the US, in my opinion. The nature is phenomenal and a good chance to break away from city life, which will be most of what you'll experience since the campus is in the middle of the city. I recommend going into the experience expecting it to be challenging because, obviously, if you don't speak Spanish, there are going to be moments of frustration. My one regret is not meeting enough Chileans because it's just a good opportunity to learn about the culture but also to practice your Spanish. Also, I believe the people really make the experience so much better. Whether that's the other people in your study abroad group or Chileans you befriend on the way, getting to experience the country with others made the experience incredible. There's so much more I can say, but overall expect to be pushed out of your comfort zone, because honestly, that's when you have the best experiences.

For people partaking in this program, know that your classes will not be with other Chileans, just the other people in your program. This made it hard to connect with locals when they did come back from summer (I was spring 2024) since you are on such a different schedule. My favorite parts were not from the program, though they provided good support. I joined a local boxing gym (EmpireBox) which was so fun and separate from all the more touristy activities that USAC provided. They are wonderful people at USAC but just know that for the best experience, you should do your own research and find things to join actually with locals rather than in the bubble of USAC.

From the Patagonias, to the Atacama desert, to the rainforest, I knew coming to Chile that there would be so much to offer. What I did not expect, however, was how much my global perspective on world politics would grow. Chile's intense political history and vibrant and active political culture today were my favorite part of living in Santiago. Studying in the Fall semester, I met with locals, attended the "independence" celebration, met with political leaders, and travelled during a beautiful time of the year. I came to Chile with no background in Spanish, but found that the community of young people was eager to engage in language exchange. Never having travelled to South America, I deconstructed biases and understood Chile, Peru, and Argentina on a person-to-person scale. I can't wait to go back, and would recommend studying in Santiago to anyone who wants a life-changing, educational, and wholesome experience.

I knew from the start that the Chile program would be the right choice for me--because of my focus in Latin American politics and my Spanish skills--but the program far surpassed my expectations, and I genuinely hope that more prospective students choose this site. Chile might fall off the radar for the average person looking to study abroad, but I want to take a moment to advocate for Chile because of how amazing of an experience it was on all ends--academically, socially, in terms of leisure, and the staff. For starters, it truly is the best of all worlds. You are able to experience the vibrance of a major urban hub, but you can also access close by the most remote spots known to man. I highly encourage Chile, if for the optional tour to the Atacama Desert only. Even as somebody that thought they wouldn't enjoy a lot of the outdoor activities in Atacama, I was proven wrong and it became arguably the best part of my study abroad, especially the amazing star gazing. Chile is also so close to great travel destinations, from Easter Island, Machu Picchu and Lima, Buenos Aires, and Rio (I was able to travel to the last four on that list!). My social life was incredibly lively because I chose the cheapest living option with the most amount of roommates, so it ended up being a win-win. I had a great deal, plus I met many friends. The housing is mostly students from other Latin American countries (my roommates were a friendly mix coming from Mexico, El Salvador, Chile, and Spain), so my Spanish improved a lot. For anybody worried about the Spanish, I noticed other people did fine. Despite what local news might say, I actually found Santiago incredibly safe, especially in comparison to big US cities. Overall, the program was very satisfying, and I sincerely hope you consider studying abroad in Santiago.