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Santiago – Health Studies
$5 Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible, which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. We offer unique courses that explore Spanish language, Chilean history, and culture through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
You take 15–19 credits per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. All courses at IES Abroad Santiago and partner universities are taught in Spanish. Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components:
- IES Abroad Health Studies courses (required)
- Spanish for Health Care Practitioners (4 credits)
- Health Studies Program Seminar (4 credits)
- IES Abroad Spanish language course (optional, 4 credits)
- IES Abroad Spanish-taught area studies courses (optional, 3 credits each)
- Spanish-taught courses at local universities (optional, 3–5 credits each)
- Internship placement and seminar (optional, 4 credits)
- Service learning placement and seminar (optional, 4 credits)
Courses
This is a list of planned course offerings. A final list of course offerings will be made available to you in your MyIESabroad account.
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT/LS/AH 231 - Social and Political Role of the Arts in Chile and Latin America | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN 322 - Native Cultures | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EC 322B - The Transformation of the Chilean and Other Latin American Economies from the late 20th into the 21st Century | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| PO/IR/EC 342 - Chile: Regional and Global Trade Organizations | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HL 395 - Health Studies Program Seminar | Fall, Spring, Summer | Spanish | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS/PO 340 - Human Rights in Latin America | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| PO/HS 372 - The Radical Tradition of Chile, Argentina, and Peru | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SL/IN 395 - Internship and Service Learning Seminar | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/IR/EC 342 - Chile: Regional and Global Trade Organizations | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT/LS/AH 231 - Social and Political Role of the Arts in Chile and Latin America | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT/LS/AH 231 - Social and Political Role of the Arts in Chile and Latin America | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS/PO 340 - Human Rights in Latin America | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| PO/HS 372 - The Radical Tradition of Chile, Argentina, and Peru | Spring | Spanish | 3 |
| PO/IR/EC 342 - Chile: Regional and Global Trade Organizations | Fall | Spanish | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SL/IN 395 - Internship and Service Learning Seminar | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP 303 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 320 - Spanish for Healthcare Practitioners | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 353 - Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
| SP 403 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad | Fall, Spring | Spanish | 4 |
Partner Institution(s)
The IES Abroad Santiago Academic Coordinator will work with you to discuss university course recommendations based on your Spanish level and home university requirements.
Santiago universities release their official course offerings just before the start of each semester. For this reason, you cannot officially register until you arrive onsite. Some courses may require prerequisites or a qualifying interview, audition, or special exam. University course offerings vary by semester.
Universidad de Chile
www.uchile.cl
The Universidad de Chile is a prestigious public university known for its outstanding research initiatives and undergraduate curriculum. Courses are available in the disciplines below.
Courses
Courses are available in the disciplines below. Visit http://www.uchile.cl/pregrado for course details.
- Agriculture
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Art History
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Dance (audition required)
- Economics
- Engineering
- English
- Environmental
- Fine Arts Interpretation (audition required)
- Geography
- Geology
- Graphic Design
- Health Studies
- Hispanic Literature
- History
- Journalism
- Literature
- Management
- Mathematics
- Music (audition required)
- Music Theory
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Theater
- Theater Design
Location & Commute Time
The Universidad de Chile has six campuses and faculties around the city. The commute time from the Universidad de Chile to the IES Abroad Santiago Center is approximately 30 minutes by public transportation.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
www.puc.cl
Chile’s largest private university, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, offers courses in the disciplines below.
Some courses have prerequisites. See www.puc.cl for additional details. Select Facultades y Carreras, by the link for your academic area of interest, and then cursos. PUC usually requires a personal interview before approving course enrollment.
Courses
Visit catalogo.uc.cl/ and select your academic area of interest. PUC usually requires a personal interview before approving course enrollment. University course offerings vary by semester and not all courses are available to international students. Below are disciplines available to IES Abroad students.
- Agriculture
- Architecture
- Art
- Astronomy
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business (AACSB and EQUIS accredited)
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Design
- Drama (audition required)
- Economics (AACSB and EQUIS accredited)
- Education
- Engineering
- English Literature
- Fine Arts
- Forestry
- Geography
- History
- Journalism
- Linguistics
- Mathematics
- Music (audition required)
- Nursing
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religion
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish Literature
- Statistics
- Theology
- Translation
Location & Commute Time
The campuses of PUC are located in different parts of the city, all very close to public transportation. The commute time from the IES Abroad Santiago Center to PUC is about 30 minutes by public transportation.
Service Learning
Participating in a service learning experience in Santiago is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of the city’s culture and society. Working alongside local people towards a common goal, you experience first-hand some of the social issues that affect Santiago, while contributing your skills towards a community-driven solution.
A service learning experience consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by a weekly academic, for-credit service learning seminar. Through the seminar, you have structured time for reflection and discussion, and even research, on the issues of your host community.
Possible placements may include organizations focusing on:
- Community Health
- Social issues unique to Santiago
Volunteer Opportunities
When you volunteer in Santiago, you have the chance to make a difference in the local community while meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. If you are passionate about volunteering abroad, just let the onsite staff know at the beginning of your term. Past volunteer opportunities in Santiago include:
- Working with low-income families of indigenous descent to strengthen culture
- Providing tech support and practicing translation skills at a not-for-profit
- Collecting and conducting data analysis to provide aid for contemporary labor issues
Internships
Interning while you study in Santiago gives you a rewarding job experience with a wealth of longlasting career benefits. You will:
- Gain a better understanding of the real-life, everyday culture of your host country
- Add global work experience and skills to your résumé or your application for graduate school
- Improve your confidence
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal internship placement that fulfills your academic and career goals. We’ve placed students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently work with a business or organization in your field of interest, we will search for a placement that’s right for you.
Placement Examples
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—new internships are always being added.
- Business
- Education
- Government & Politics
- Humanities
- Museum Sciences
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Santiago, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. (The orientation trip and the Chiloé field trip are subsidized by IES Abroad and are contingent on student participation.) Here are a few possible destinations.
Chiloé
3 Days | Spring
Visit Chile’s largest island to learn and experience more about the importance of sustainable agriculture and the tourism industry. And don’t miss your chance to see the cute penguins!
San Pedro De Atacama
3 Days | Fall & Spring
Enjoy activities like biking and sand boarding in the driest desert in the world. You will also visit one of the world’s largest astronomy projects: ALMA.
La Serena
3 Days | Fall
Experience Chile’s diverse coastal geography, see penguins, and observe other native animals at a national nature preserve. Astronomy enthusiasts will especially enjoy a visit to Mamalluca and Tololo: some of the world’s most well-known astronomical research and observation centers.
Torres Del Paine
3 Days | Fall & Spring
Hike on ancient glaciers and winding mountain paths in one of Chile’s most spectacular national parks.
Valparaíso and Viña del Mar
1 Day | Fall & Spring
During this orientation field trip, you will discover the culture of two of Chile’s most beautiful coastal towns: one is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the other is home to one of Chile’s Nobel Prize poets: Pablo Neruda.
Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Santiago is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
The program begins with a mandatory one-week orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Santiago staff, your fellow students, and the city of Santiago.
After visiting partner universities and meeting with the IES Abroad Santiago Academic Coordinator, you also register for courses during orientation. Both Universidad de Chile and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile have a half-day orientation for international students.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Santiago, it will feel like home.
Homestays - You live with a family or señora who helps facilitate your language learning and integration into Chilean society. Your homestay host provides two meals per day during the week and breakfast on the weekend. Internet access and on-site laundry will be available.
Residence Hall – The student residence hall offers a study room, printing lab, gym, pool, and more. You have the option to live in a single room with your own bathroom or in a double room where you share a bedroom and bathroom with another student. In both options, you also have shared access to a living room and kitchenette. No meals are provided. Limited placements are available.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Santiago through our cultural events and activities, such as:
- Neighborhood tours of Santiago
- Visits to local museums and cultural institutions
- The IES Abroad Club Chileno activities with local students
Get to Know Your New City
Climb Cerro Santa Lucia
Take in sweeping views of Santiago at this hill located in the heart of the city.
Bite Into a Chilean Empanada
Visit a panadería to try this savory local dish.
Hike Cerro Pochoco
Get a taste of the Andes Mountains right in Santiago’s backyard.
See the Street Art
Have lunch and stroll through the barrio of Bellavista. Check out the street art as you take in the sight and sounds of Santiago.
Visit Sky Costanera for a 360° View of Santiago
Take an elevator to the top of Sky Costanera and see the city through different eyes—from 300 meters up!
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Program-Specific Scholarships
John Gearen Need-Based Dublin or Developing Regions Scholarship
John Gearen, a member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for many years and past chair of the Board for six years, is a leading real estate attorney and Rhodes Scholar who is involved in numerous philanthropic causes. Mr. Gearen has generously established this scholarship to support students who have an interest in studying on an IES Abroad Center in a developing region of the world (Argentina, Chile, China, Ecuador, Ireland, Morocco, or South Africa).
Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Robert McNeill, member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for 25 years (6 years as Chairman). Open to students who have an interest in international business. Majors might include management, marketing, economics, finance, international relations, and social and behavioral sciences.
Adelyn Dougherty Leander Need-Based Urban Issues Scholarship
Open to students who have an interest in urban studies (a major in urban studies is not required).
William E. & Mary M. Dwyer Need-Based Spanish Scholarship
These scholarships are intended for students interested in studying in a Spanish-speaking country.
Kathleen Kervin Diamond Endowed Scholarship
Kathleen Diamond is a consultant, entrepreneur, and business leader in the language services industry. In 1979, she founded Language Learning Enterprises, Inc. (LLE®), a full-service language company based in Washington, D.C. She is recognized as an early pioneer in Telephone Interpreting, launching LLE-LINK in the early 1990s. Over the next 20 years, under her leadership, the company grew into a dynamic, multimillion dollar corporation, serving a wide range of clients, in both the private and public sectors, across the United States, and worldwide. In 2009, Ms.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Center is located in Providencia, a vibrant residential neighborhood in central Santiago. Features include:
- Classrooms
- Student lounge
- Small library
- Kitchen and dining area
- WiFi and remote printer access
- Charming courtyard
Our Staff
María del Carmen Cortés Arce
Center Director
A native of Santiago, Maricarmen has over 30 years of experience with local development activities with government and non-profit organizations, including Wilder Center for Communities (part of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Saint Paul, MN), Franklin Covey Chile, the United States Peace Corps in Santiago, FINAM (a Women's World Banking NGO), and the Miguel Kast Foundation. Maricarmen holds a Master's and B.A. in Architecture from the Universidad de Chile, and was also a Fulbright Scholar through the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship program with the University of Minnesota.
IES Abroad Staff
IES Abroad Staff
Angela Schaaf
Assistant Director/Academic Coordinator
Caroline Dierksheide
Student Affairs Coordinator
Paola Riquelme
Administration and Finance Coordinator
Cassandra Oyarzun
Office Keeper
Latest from Santiago
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From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
