Spanish and Portuguese language and customs united diverse cultures from Mexico to Argentina into today’s Latin America. Twenty-odd nations were born of a wide mix of glorious indigenous civilizations (Aztecan, Incan, Mayan), immigrants (Africans, Asians, Europeans), and landscapes (deserts, forests, coastlines, mountains). In modern times, the nations have emerged from indigenous traditions, European influences, and authoritarian regimes to build new identities. Stories of Latin America facing the challenges of development, democratization, trade, debt, and the environment fill newspapers. Live these stories first-hand on a CIEE program.
But which? Latin America’s possibilities spread vast before you. You can discover yourself in Brazil, a nation with many identities. See how European influence meets Latin to forge the Paris of the South in Buenos Aires. Put rainforest conservation and sustainability into action at a Costa Rican bio station. Below the Andes’ heights, find dreamy Lima’s hidden treasure. Make friends among the descendants of the Taíno, the “friendly people” inhabiting the Dominican Republic. In the thin, razored strip of Chile’s territory, study in capital Santiago or port Valparaíso. Witness firsthand Nicaragua’s transition from a
revolutionary state to one oriented toward democracy
and social justice. Beyond border towns, tacos, and mariachi music, seek the true, transforming culture of today’s Mexico. Accept the warm bon bini (welcome) to the Caribbean paradise of Bonaire. How should you think about studying in Latin America? CIEE programs are designed to help you get the most out of your experience, and we’ll help you find one that’s right for you.
how good is your Spanish (or Portuguese)?
For most CIEE programs in Latin America, you need an intermediate or advanced knowledge of Spanish—the equivalent of five or six college semesters—because on most programs, you enroll directly in courses taught in Spanish by your host university. Choose from a wide variety of arts and sciences and liberal arts courses that satisfy your major or your interests, and study right alongside local students.
There are exceptions, though. We offer two Language and Culture programs—one in Mexico and one in Peru—that are dedicated to helping you improve your beginner Spanish (the skills you'd have after two college semesters) while immersing you in life and culture abroad. If you’ve had one year of college Spanish, you can also take an intensive, three-week course in Mexico either between the fall and spring semesters or during the summer. With intermediate Spanish skills (two years of study or more) you can take host university courses in Spanish specifically designed for foreigners in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Or you can study in Brazil—on a fall, spring, year or intensive, five-week winter or summer program—and learn Portuguese (as long as you’ve already taken one year of Portuguese or two years of Spanish).
If you choose a program specifically focused on science or business—such as our programs in Costa Rica, Bonaire, or Brazil— you can study abroad with little or no Spanish or Portuguese language experience.
home with your host family
On most programs, you’ll live in homestays with local families to experience the family-centered culture of Latin America in a very personal way. You’ll live in your hosts’ home, eat certain meals with the family, participate in group activities from time to time—and maybe even start calling family members your host mom or host brother—building relationships that might be the cornerstone of your experience.
with so many options, the choice is yours
Immerse yourself in politics, economics, and the arts in Argentina or Chile. Explore the unique Afro-Brazilian identity of Salvador da Bahia. Study development issues in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, or Nicaragua. Experience the complex cultural legacies of Mexico. On many of our programs, you can enroll directly in university courses, choosing ones that speak to you. Some programs have a more specific focus: service-learning, community service, teaching English as a second language, Caribbean studies, underdevelopment, social justice, sustainability and the environment. Everywhere, you will experience the local culture in a way you never could on vacation.
latin-flavored business
Even if you haven’t studied Portuguese before, you can study business in the important economic center of São Paulo, Brazil on our Business and Culture program. You’ll take regular university courses, taught in English, with both international and Brazilian students—and learn Portuguese and about Brazilian culture at the same time. The academic focus is on international management, but you can also study marketing, finance, negotiation, and corporate strategy. If your Spanish is advanced, you can also choose the Business and Society program in Lima, Peru. You enroll directly in courses of your choice in accounting, business, economics, and mathematics taught by the host university while studying Spanish with a business focus, and Peruvian culture.
Company visits to local businesses are a part of both programs. In Lima, you might see the customs bureau, the stock exchange, NGOs, micro-business endeavors, private foundations, and national and multinational corporations. In São Paulo, you could visit the Volkswagen plant in São Bernardo, the Federation of Industries, the television channel Globo, the U.S.-Brazil Chamber of Commerce, and a well-known law firm.
You can also get a Latin perspective on business by choosing regular university courses in Salvador and Valparaíso. Study economics alongside local students in Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago, and São Paulo.
science south of the border
If you’re a science major you can combine classwork with field work in Costa Rica or Bonaire. In Bonaire, an island in the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela, you’ll learn coral reef ecology, coastal zone management, and sustainable development in the classroom. Then, you’ll scuba dive with local experts to conduct your own field study and independent research of nearby tropical marine life. If you travel to the cloud forest
of Monteverde you have two options: Tropical Ecology and Conservation—where you’ll live in a biological
station and spend half your time off-site, exploring
and studying the tropical ecosystem of Costa Rica and
gaining research experience through an independent
project; and Sustainability and the Environment—
for the passionate student who wants to further understand
the complex pressures that affront global biodiversity
and experience firsthand the possible solutions.
You can also study science in Spanish alongside Latin American students by taking regular courses offered by host universities in Valparaíso and Lima.
Explore what options are available on the programs you’re interested in, and seek out these opportunities every chance you get. You will see yourself slowly become part of Latin America...and Latin America become part of you.
Buenos Aires, Argentina [liberal arts]
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Santiago, Dominican Republic:
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Bonaire, Southern Caribbean:
[tropical marine ecology + conservation] |
[liberal arts]
[service-learning] |
Salvador da Bahia, Brazil [liberal arts]
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Guanajauto, Mexico: |
São Paulo, Brazil:
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[language + culture] |
[liberal arts]
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[liberal arts] |
[business + culture]
|
[spanish language] |
[intensive langauge + culture] winter
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Managua, Nicaragua [liberal arts] *new*
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Santiago, Chile [liberal arts] |
Lima, Peru: |
Valparaíso, Chile [liberal arts] |
[language + culture] |
Monteverde, Costa Rica:
|
[liberal arts] |
[sustainability + the environment] *new*
|
[business + society] |
[tropical ecology + conservation]
|
|
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic [liberal arts]
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