Information for term High School Abroad in Chile
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenLive and learn in Spanish, in the dynamic and friendly culture of Chile.
Picture yourself waking up every morning to the outstanding views of Valparaíso’s colorful hills, or a view of the infinite Pacific Ocean in Viña del Mar. Quickly put on your school uniform, have breakfast with your homestay while discussing afternoon plans, and take the next Micro to your school adventure! Five days a week, you’ll attend a local high school to learn about Chilean Nobel Laureate poets, traditional Latin American dances, and discuss the fundamentals of Psychology— in classes taught solely in Spanish! Your choice of fun school-based extracurricular activities come next. In your free time, expect outings with school friends to artisan markets or cafés by the beach, catch a local football (soccer) match, play pickup basketball, or hang out with your homestay “siblings.” Yes, this can be your life next semester!
Follow our Travels:
The Take-Aways
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Language Proficiency
Our program provides students with 150 language contact hours in just a few weeks.
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Global Citizenship
After immersing yourself in unfamiliar practices and customs, you’ll become better equipped to interact with people from other cultures — in school, on the job, or in your personal life.
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College Readiness
Studying abroad gives you the kinds of life skills that can’t be learned in a classroom — and shows college admissions reps that you’re already one step ahead in terms of initiative, maturity, and independence.
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said their experience made them more aware of global issues.
93% -
said their experience with CIEE helped shape their college applications.
79% -
said they regularly use the knowledge and skills they acquired while abroad with CIEE.
96%
Location & Culture
Click to Open
The Destination
The beaches, the Andes, the wild— you’ll grow and learn in colorful Chile.
What is it like to live a life in Chile?
Whether you live and take classes in Viña or in Valpo, you will experience the warm and friendly school environment, the best beaches that Chile can offer, and a vibrant, urban culture that will background your personal growth and Spanish learning.
In this fully immersive program, you will live with carefully scanned host families, who are willing to share their customs and lives with you. Exploring the lively art scene in Valpo, doing some grocery shopping at your picturesque local shop, sharing "Once" (tea time) with relatives, and following the family's favorite soccer team on the TV, will be your usual weekend routine.
Schools are rigorously selected to meet our applicants needs. Academic challenges are balanced with homy environment, a flexible academic pace, including little-to-no-homework policies in most schools! Then, what can you do with your free time? Enjoy sports or arts extracurricular at school, meet up with Chilean classmates to kick around a football, or grab an ice-cream by the beach, explore the hills in Valpo or "los ponientes" in Viña, and get a feel for the peculiar Chilean Spanish through your daily interactions with local shop owners, neighbors, and friends.
Spending a semester or year in Chile, not only will help you advance your Spanish language skills, but you’ll also be immersed in the daily traditions and culture of the Chilean people, and build practical, real-world skills both in class and through your personal explorations. Chile is the place you should be at next semester!
Orientation
Upon arriving in Chile with your fellow participants, you will be met by CIEE staff in Santiago, and then you’ll head to Valparaíso, where you will begin your ten-day orientation (Spring) / five-day orientation (Fall). During orientation, you will already be placed with your homestay for your comfort, you will participate in a series of workshops focusing on a variety of themes — academic culture, living with a homestay, intercultural communication — all designed to best prepare you for your experience in Chile. You will also take 10 to 20 hours of Spanish classes to help prepare you for your language immersion experience. Spending a semester or year in Valparaíso, fully immersed in Spanish language, will vastly improve your language skills in an unparalleled way. Participate in an exciting scavenger hunt, where you’ll explore the city and put your Spanish into practice. Take an organized tour of Valparaíso, and become familiar with the public transportation system.
Daily Life
Click to OpenDaily Life
"Just yesterday we went to Pucón and bathed in hot springs under the stars and rode horses in volcanic river washouts..."
Learn more about daily life on a high school study abroad program.
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Carefully screened homestay in the Greater Valparaíso area
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Local Coordinator in country and CIEE support staff available 24/7
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Activities
Click to OpenSample Activities
Spanning verdant green valleys and dramatic desert landscapes, Chile offers countless opportunities for outdoor exploration. With nearly 4,000 miles of coastline, you’re never far from a beach or spectacular ocean view. From the Andes Mountains east of Santiago to the glaciers far to the south, natural beauty abounds. Each city in Chile has its own colorful personality, with myriad cultural attractions and landmarks well worth visiting. You’ll have a whole year or semester to discover the country with new CIEE friends, and with your host family.
Your program fee includes excursions hosted by CIEE staff, so you’ll get the chance to take in the diverse sights and sounds of several Chilean hot spots:
Santiago
Join us for a daytrip to Chile’s capital and largest city. You’ll experience Santiago’s historical wonder in the shadow of the snow-capped Andes, while feeding on the energy of this cosmopolitan population center.
Pucón: (Spring semester)
Chileans have a saying about the south of their country: “la magia del sur”. Do you want to know what the magic is about? Get ready for a hike in National Park el Huerquehue, in the Andes heights, home of millenary flora; or kayak by Villarrica volcano, a landmark of the beautiful southern landscape. Visit the hots springs by the night, while its freezing cold under the southern sky, or engage in activities with local native communities.
San Pedro de Atacama (Fall Semester)
A great location for students, there are plenty of activities to take part in! Try your hand at sandboarding, visit local indigenous communities and archeological sites, take a bath in hot springs, visit geysers in the morning, and watch the sunset in the Valley of the Moon.
Please note this list of activities is based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to both adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when revising itineraries is always to enhance your experience. Every activity is designed to provide you with a deep immersion in your topic, local culture and sights. Get ready for maximum fun!
Dates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
Eligibility
At the time of departure, students must:
- Be in their 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th year of schooling
- Have 2 years of Spanish or equivalent
Application Fee
$50
Apply six weeks prior to the deadline, and receive a $250 discount.
Program fee includes international airfare and iNext travel insurance. Full inclusions are found online.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Year 2020 50 weeks | Feb 15, 2020 | Jul 20, 2020* | Jul 5, 2021* | |
| Fall 2020 20 weeks | Feb 15, 2020 | Jul 20, 2020* | Dec 10, 2020* | |
| Spring 2021 19 weeks | Nov 1, 2020 | Feb 22, 2021* | Jul 5, 2021* |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Carolina Elgueta
Director
Carolina is a native of Valparaíso and passionate about international education, has over 10 years of experience managing programs for international students at PUCV.
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Maria Paz Montes Monsalve
Global Navigator Coordinator
After a life-changing study abroad experience in the United States, María Paz is committed with helping exchange students in Chile have a succesful abroad experience.
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Gloria Tapia
Students Life Coordinator
Gloria has a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Universidad Católica DUOC UC.
Ready to change your life?
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