mountain clouds chile purple sky
Santiago, Chile

Liberal Arts

AACSB and EQUIS ✓

Study Program

Dates

-

19 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

19 weeks

Costs

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

49 weeks

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

41 weeks

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Dates

-

18 weeks

Credit

15 - 18 semester hours

22.5 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Contact Us

Overview

Ready to take your Spanish language skills to the next level in the "Country of Poets?" CIEE's Liberal Arts program was thoughtfully designed to help students polish and advance their Spanish while building a broad understanding of Chilean history and culture in Santiago. Chile's vibrant, cosmopolitan capital city is the ideal location for students to learn alongside local Chilean students in CIEE's partner schools: Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), and Universidad Diego Portales. While at CIEE Santiago, you can expect your courses to be complemented with co-curricular excursions and activities organized by CIEE to enhance your classroom learning and provide intercultural understanding.

Unique Experiences

Explore Santiago’s neighborhoods

Get insider tips with CIEE-organized activities with cultural ambassadors

Taste Chilean street food

Filling 'completos' and 'sopaipillas', along with the newly arrived 'arepas, tequeños', and Chilean hand-rolls

Meet students from all over Chile

while taking courses with locals in our three partner universities.

267

miles of cycling lanes in Gran Santiago

300

nights of clear sky per year, making the Atacama desert an astronomy hub

111

average width of Chile in miles

Experience
  • Santiago, Chile cityscape hazy sunset
  • santiago ch student skiing
  • Santiago

Your Destination

Situated on a long, narrow strip of land in southern Latin America, Chile’s unique geography in the Pacific Ocean has given birth to a distinct landscape, culture, economy, and mode of living. Chile’s versatile and vibrant capital, Santiago, is one of the country’s most incredible cities. Nestled in a bowl-shaped valley encircled by the towering Andes mountains and the Cordillera de la Costa range, Santiago provides the ideal setting for exciting outdoor adventures, such as hiking, skiing, and traditional kite-flying.

In addition to its long-standing reputation of satisfying the appetites of outdoor enthusiasts, Santiago boasts a lively, urban cosmopolitan center. Roughly half of the total population of Chile call Santiago home and this capital city is rapidly becoming more diverse as a result of large influxes of migrants relocating here. Discover Santiago’s great historical, social, and economic significance and partake in endless opportunities to experience Chilean culture, sports, entertainment, and more.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Santiago.

The Culture

santiago ch waterfall flowing into blue lake

Other Activities

Each CIEE program has frequent cultural excursions and tours uniquely designed to complement the program’s academics and enhance cultural immersion. In Santiago, students might:

  • Try some new moves while taking a bachata/salsa dance lesson
    Scout for vintage antiques in one of Santiago’s most famous weekend markets
  • Take a wine tasting workshop, learning and sampling local the local wines like Carménère
  • Learn the tricks of making homemade sopaipillas (fried pastries) in a cooking workshop led by a CIEE host mom
  • Explore one of Santiago’s 30+ museums dedicated to fashion, education, human rights, carpentry, music, pre-Columbian art, and more
  • Overcome any fear of ghosts on a site visit to Santiago’s city hall cemeteries
  • Cheer your new favorite team in an exciting, live soccer match
santiago ch student interns

Service-Learning Projects

Looking for extracurricular learning opportunities while abroad in Chile? CIEE Santiago staff members are available to help you gain more insights on any subjects that interest you. If you want to connect with local Chilean organizations dedicated to community service, human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, sustainability research, social policy, and other missions, contact onsite staff for information on how to do so while abroad. 

Program Blogs

Mountains of Santiago

By Isabel S.

When you first arrive in Santiago, the first thing that strikes you is the mountains. Right in front of you, behind you, to the side—they rise up every which way... keep reading

From CIEE

Celebrating "El 18", Chile´s Independence day

By CIEE Santiago at CIEE

September is a very important month in Chile, not only do we welcome spring during this month in the southern hemisphere, but we also celebrate the independence of Chile on... keep reading

From CIEE

Living with a Host Family in Santiago Chile

By CIEE Santiago at CIEE

Living with a host family has been a really fundamental part of my experience studying abroad. And I can’t say it’s all been sunshine and roses, but it’s definitely been... keep reading

What People are Saying

  • "I really enjoyed the courses offered by CIEE as well as the universities that we had the option of studying at. I also liked living with a host family very much."

    William L., Clark University

  • "I had a great experience and I felt that CIEE was a helpful support system."

    Lisi D., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

  • "Great program, great people."

    Javier R., Indiana University-Bloomington

Housing
Academics

Academics

Founded in 1992, this program is designed to support students with fluency in Spanish language skills as they further their studies by enrolling directly in courses at three of Latin America’s and Chile’s top universities – Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad Diego Portales.  All courses are taught in Spanish by faculty with PhDs. 

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

4 semesters of college-level Spanish (or equivalent)  

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Requirements

Students enroll in 4-6 courses per semester, choosing from:

  • CIEE elective courses and CIEE Spanish language courses. 
  • Host Institution courses at any of the following Chilean universities: Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad Diego Portales. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits 

Course Credit

CIEE elective courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours 
CIEE language courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours 
Host Institution courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits, unless otherwise noted. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

Chilean academic culture differs from a traditional U.S. American academic culture; university professors in Chile do not have office hours although they can be reached by email, or students can set up an appointment with the professor according to the weekly schedule.  

CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards.  The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lectures and discussions with co-curricular activities.  Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation.  To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Santiago during classes. 

Class Format

Classes are taught in Spanish and scheduled Monday-Friday.  Attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and planned co-curricular and cultural activities.  Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class.

CIEE courses are taught for CIEE students only.  They’re supported by our e-learning platform, Canvas.  At local universities, students take classes with Chilean students and other international students.  Professors are primarily Chilean with advanced degrees from universities from around the world, resulting in a variety of teaching styles and perspectives. 

Grading

CIEE courses: The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students' grades are based on attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations.  Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.  University courses: Students meet the same expectations as their Chilean peers.  Assessment includes a variety of different types of evaluation, such as written and oral assignments, quizzes and a final paper or examination. The Chilean grading scale runs from 1 to 7, which CIEE translates into recommended U.S. letter grade equivalents.  Graduating seniors and students with timing concerns should note that grades for Semester I (North American spring) should arrive on campus by late September, and grades for Semester II (North American fall) arrive by late March. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

Spanish

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

All course selections are made in consultation with the CIEE Study Site Director and a designated staff person from each Chilean university. The reality of the academic system in Chile is such that course listings and availability are not determined until immediately prior to the start of university classes in a given semester.  The final list of courses is available and sent to students a month before the program starts in Santiago de Chile.  Students take courses at host institutions with local students in most of their classes The following list is a representative sampling of courses available at the sponsoring universities.  Students may enroll in any course for which they meet the prerequisites.  In addition to the courses listed below, the host institutions offer a wide range of courses in many disciplines, including Agricultural Science, Agronomy, Anthropology, Archaeology, Architecture, Arts, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Cinema, Communications, Computer Science, Cultural Studies, Dance, Development Studies, Economics, Education, Engineering, English, Environmental Studies, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Geography, Health and Medicine, History, Humanities, International Relations, Latin American Studies, Law, Linguistics, Literature, Management Science, Mathematics, Music, Natural Sciences, Philosophy, Physics, Physical Science, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, Public Policy, Religious Studies, Social Studies, Sociology, Spanish Language, Theater, Urban Studies, and Zoology

PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE CHILE COURSES

Art
Advanced Engraving, Art in Chile, Basic Drawing, Latin American Painting, Metal Engraving, Watercolor

Geography
Cartography, Chilean Geography I and II, Cultural Geography, Environmental Geography, Introduction to Geography, Political Geography, Rural Development, Urban Planning

History
American National I and II, Ancient History, Chile 1964–2000, Contemporary History, Discovery and Conquest, Economic History, Europe in the 19th Century, Hispanic Chile, National Chile I and II, Pre-Columbian Cultures

International Relations and Political Science
Chilean Foreign Policy, Chilean Political Parties, Contemporary International Politics, Elements of Political Science, Fundamentals of Political Theory, Re-Democratization Processes in Latin America, Representation and Electoral Systems

Journalism and Communications
Contemporary History, Economic Journalism, Investigations, Journalistic Photography, Television Journalism, Visual Communication

Linguistics and Literature
Aesthetics of Neruda’s Poetry, Ancient Literature, Chilean and Hispano-American Narratives, Chilean and Hispano-American Poetry, Chilean and Hispano-American Theater, Contemporary Chilean Theater, General Medieval and Classical Literature, Hispano-American Literary Texts, Introduction to Linguistics of Text, Modern and Contemporary Literature, Nobel Prizes of Latin American Literature, Representation of Women in the Works of Maria Luisa Bombal, Marcela Serrano, and Manuel Puig, Spanish Classical Literature, Spanish Writing Workshop

Philosophy
Kant, Logic, Ethics, and Contemporary Philosophical Texts; Medieval Philosophy; Metaphysics; Philosophy of Science; San Agustín’s Selected Writings

Psychology
Community Psychology, Culture and Society in Latin America, Human Relations, Introduction to the Psychology of Jung, Principles of Learning in Adults, Psychology of the Chilean Adolescent

Sociology
Art and Religion, Biblical Initiation, Fundamental Principles of Christian Morality, History of the Ancient Church, History of the Church in Chile, Religious Psychology, Religious Sociology, Religious Studies, Synoptic Gospels and Apostolic Missions, The Person of Christ

UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE COURSES

Anthropology and Archaeology
Andean Culture, Anthropology of Development, Anthropology of Gender, Anthropology of Poverty, The Cultural Formation of Latin America, Folklore as Culture, Gender and Society, Judaism: Religion and Culture, Latin American Thought, Mapuche Culture, Rapa Nui Culture, Rural Anthropology, Sociological Theory and Structure in Chile, Urban Anthropology, Women in Latin American Society, Introduction to Anthropology

Art
Art History, Drawing, History and Analysis of Music of the 20th Century, Introduction to Art, Photography, Pottery

Business and Management 
International Business, Management, Finance, Accounting, Latin American Business Challenges

Geography
Geography of Chile -16th to 19th Centuries, Physical Geography-Climatology and Meteorology, Political Geography, Regional Geography of America, Social and Administrative Geography

History
Ancient History: Roman Empire, Chilean Political Parties, Chilean-Peruvian Relations, History of America: 17th Century, History of America: USA 1860–1920, History of Chile: 18th and 19th Centuries, Indigenous America, Introduction to History, Modern History: 17th and 18th Centuries, Pre-Hispanic History of America and of Chile, Revolutions and Social Movements in the 20th Century, Introduction to Chilean History

International Relations and Political Science
Chilean Public Administration, Contemporary International Conflicts, Government and Public Administration, Latin American Politics, Negotiation and Conflict Management, Political Ethics, Political Parties: Theory and Practice, U.S.- Latin American Relations, Introduction to Political Sciences, Introduction to Political Ideologies

Journalism
Comparative National and International Press, Contemporary History and Geography, Contemporary Latin American Art and Literature, Film: Cinematographic Analysis, International Relations, Latin American Communication and Thought

Law
Chilean Institutional History: 16th-18th Century, Indigenous Legislation in Chile, International Public Law

Linguistics and Literature
Contemporary Chilean Literature, Contemporary European Literature, Contemporary Hispanic American Literature, Contemporary Hispanic American Novel, Contemporary Spanish Literature, Don Quixote, Ethnic and Psycholinguistics, Hispanic American Narrative of the 1980s, History of the Spanish Language, Literary Theory, Medieval Literature, Medieval Women Writers, Modern Hispanic American Literature, Modern Spanish Literature

Philosophy
Contemporary Philosophy, Esthetics, Ethics, Introduction to Philosophy, Logic, Medieval Philosophy, Metaphysics, Philosophical Anthropology, Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Political Philosophy, Theory of Knowledge

Sociology
History of Social Thought, Human Rights, Introduction to Marxist Thought, Organizational Sociology, Political Sociology, Social History of Chile, Social History of Latin America, Social Theory in Latin America, Sociology, Introduction to Sociology

UNIVERSIDAD DIEGO PORTALES COURSES

History
American History I, American History II, American History III, Historical Writing, History of Chile I, History of Chile II, History of Chile III, Pre-Columbian Cultures, Research Seminar: America I, Research Seminar: America II, Research Seminar: Chile I, Research Seminar: Chile II, Sociocultural Anthropology.

Political Science
Chile and the International System, Contemporary Political Theory, International Relations in Latin America, International System and Institutions, Modern Political Theory, Political and Economic Development of Chile, Political and Economic Development in Latin America.

Sociology
Family, Gender, and Society, Political Sociology, Social Anthropology, Social Processes I: Americas, Social Processes II: Chile, Social Psychology, Sociology of Consumption, Sociology of the Media, Urban Sociology.

Journalism, Communications and Film Making
Contemporary History, Economic Journalism, Investigations, Journalistic Photography, Television Journalism, Visual Communication, Advertising, Creative Writing, Film making, Audiovisual Language, Script writing.

General Electives 
These courses are mostly second year courses with study themes which vary from feminism to indigenous groups in Chile, Social Movements, Patriarchy, Latin American music and culture, etc. This is a long list of courses that students can select from and are taught by local staff in Spanish.  

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Spring 2024 19 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $17,950
Program Fall 2024 19 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $17,950
Program Academic year 2024-2025 49 weeks Start Date End Date
Program Calendar year 2024 41 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date
Program Spring 2025 18 weeks Start Date End Date

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $13,456**

Housing = $4,000

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $17,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,064

International Airfare = $1,000††

Local Transportation = $160†††

Books & Supplies = $15††††

Visa Fees = $160†††††

Potential travel to consulate for visa = $0††††††

Personal expenses = $250†††††††

Total Costs = $2,649

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Housing Fee = $750^

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $272 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††one round trip a day for the semester by subway

††††Host institutions do not require to buy books, reading will be available online and in library

†††††average cost

††††††Visas are electronic from 2021 for Chile

†††††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

^first-come, first serve, based on availability

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $13,456**

Housing = $4,000

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $17,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,064

International Airfare = $1,000††

Local Transportation = $200†††

Books & Supplies = $15

Visa Fees = $120††††

Personal expenses = $250†††††

Total Costs = $2,649

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee:

Select Housing Fee = $750^

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $272 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††considering 1 round trip in subway daily for the 7 days of the week during all of the program duration

††††average cost

†††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

^first-come, first serve, based on availability

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Meals

Staff

Our Staff

Alejandra Herrera

Interim Regional Director of Operations for Latin America

Alejandra is a passionate and experienced educator in higher education in Chile with more than 10 years in the field of International Education.

Maria Paz Montes Monsalve

Program Coordinator

Maria Paz holds a degree in English from Universidad de Chile where she had the opportunity to spend a year abroad in the United States, which was a life-changing decision...

Natalia Castro

Program Coordinator

Natalia Castro holds a BA in English Language and a Minor in International Business. Natalia has been part of CIEE Santiago and Valparaiso Centers an experienced facilitator of cultural activities...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office 
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us 
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info