Information for term Liberal Arts
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenReady 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.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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Explore Santiago’s neighborhoods
Get insider tips with CIEE-organized activities with cultural ambassadors
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Taste Chilean street food
Filling 'completos' and 'sopaipillas', along with the newly arrived 'arepas, tequeños', and Chilean hand-rolls
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Meet students from all over Chile
while taking courses with locals in our three partner universities.
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miles of cycling lanes in Gran Santiago
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nights of clear sky per year, making the Atacama desert an astronomy hub
300 -
average width of Chile in miles
111
Location & Culture
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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
Featured Excursions & Tours
At CIEE Santiago, we organize carefully planned day-trips (two per term) and a multi-day study tour (one per term) to help you explore and enhance your understanding of Chile’s diverse location.
Past day-trips have included site visits to nearby towns and cities such as Curacavà and Pomaire, two enchanting, rural towns in the Coast Range, known for their traditional handcrafts and Chilean cuisine; Isla Negra and Algarrobo, two friendly beach towns, one of them, home to Nobel Laureate poet Pablo Neruda; and the classic Viña del Mar and ValparaÃso, colorful cities with a lively cultural scene. Other fascinating destinations include Sewell Mining town, Cajón del Maipo, and La Campana National Park, among others.
Multi-day study tours are designed to help you explore an area of our country in greater depth, whether in the north or the south. Previous excursions have taken place in Chiloé Island, the very starting point of the Chilean Patagonia; Araucania, with its marvelous forest, lakes and Volcanoes; and the Atacama region, home to living pre-Columbian communities and the driest desert in the world!
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
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
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestays: All students live with CIEE homestay families. Living with a Chilean family is your ticket to integration into life in Santiago de Chile, as it provides an excellent opportunity for immersion into the local culture. Our families come in all shapes and sizes, from married couples with college-aged children, to retired single mothers, with or without pets, living in apartments or houses. All are carefully screened and vetted by our onsite staff. They are composed of welcoming, dedicated people who are thrilled to learn about you while also sharing about themselves!
You may be single-placed in a host family home or with a CIEE partner in a double placement. Whichever way, you will be provided with a single room, laundry once a week, Wi-Fi, and a copy of the house keys. You will be close to subway stations and public transportation, coffee shops, convenience stores, ATMs available in metro stations, restaurants, and other amenities.
Students who are staying for a full year are responsible for their own housing and meals during breaks between semesters. -
MEALS
Homestays include two meals per day to be agreed upon with your host family (breakfast, lunch, or dinner).
Students are responsible for the remaining meal, either preparing it at home or eating out in one of many restaurants and cafés in the city. Students who are staying for a full year are responsible for their meals during breaks between semesters.
Santiago, Chile Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE SANTIAGO AT UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
Santiago
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PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE
Santiago
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C
UNIVERSIDAD DIEGO PORTALES – School for Social Sciences
Santiago
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
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 Prerequisites
4 semesters of college-level Spanish (or equivalent) 
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.
Program 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
English and 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
Click to OpenCourse Information
Spring 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenCommunication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Fall 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenCommunication, Journalism, and Media
Languages and Cultural Studies
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenAll 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 AgustÃn’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
Click to OpenScholarships & 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
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2023 19 weeks | Deadline Passed | Feb 27, 2023 | Jul 7, 2023 |
$17,950
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Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,333 ** Housing = $3,150 *** Insurance = $167 Total Fees = $17,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. International Airfare = $1,000 † Local Transportation = $300 Books & Supplies = $100 Visa Fees = $160 †† Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 Personal expenses = $800 Total Estimated Costs = $2,860Financial AidCIEE 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. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** includes all meals † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† average cost |
| Fall 2023 20 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jul 24, 2023 | Dec 8, 2023 |
$17,950
Click to Close
Program FeesCIEE 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 insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $14,303 ** Housing = $3,150 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $17,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $350 International Airfare = $1,000 † Local Transportation = $200 †† Books & Supplies = $30 Visa Fees = $160 ††† Personal expenses = $800 Other = $30 †††† Total Estimated Costs = $2,570Financial AidCIEE 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. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** includes all meals † 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 †††† Covid test to return to the US, if required |
| Calendar year 2023 41 weeks | Deadline Passed | Feb 27, 2023 | Dec 8, 2023 | |
| Academic year 2023-2024 41 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jul 24, 2023 | TBD | |
| Spring 2024 19 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Feb 21, 2024* | Jul 6, 2024* |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
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.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Alejandra Herrera
Center Director
Alejandra is a passionate and experienced educator in higher education in Chile with more than 10 years in the field of International Education.
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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 for her.
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Natalia Castro
PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
Natalia Castro holds a B.A. in English and a minor in International Business. Natalia has been part of CIEE Santiago and Valparaiso centers as an experienced facilitator of cultural activities and educational initiatives. She is currently a Programs Coordinator at CIEE Santiago in Chile. Natalia loves outdoor activities, biking, spending time with her family and friends, and reading Latin American literature.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
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.
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