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featured programs

Study in China
beijing - chinese language + culture

Study in France
paris - critical studies

Study in Nicaragua
managua - liberal arts

Study in the Czech Republic
prague - film studies

Study in Italy
naples - liberal arts

Study in Italy
naples - classical studies

Study in Germany
berlin - language + culture

Study in Thailand
khon kaen - community public health

Study in Australia
perth - sustainability + the environment

Is this program right for you?

The program is designed for advanced Spanish language students from a wide variety of academic disciplines who are motivated to matriculate into regular university courses and are interested in learning more about Chilean life and society.

Program Snapshot

  • Wide range of direct enrollment courses at two prestigious universities
  • Innovative CIEE course exploring contemporary Chilean identity
  • Two weekend field trips—to San Pedro de Atacama, an enormous anthropological and ecological field in the center of the Atacama desert; and another trip to an area of cultural interest outside Santiago
  • Cultural and educational activities to vineyards, mines, museums, and theaters
  • Community service, internship, and volunteer opportunities
  • Opportunity to obtain Human Rights certificate

Subject Areas

  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Communications
  • Geography
  • History
  • International Relations
  • Journalism
  • Latin American Studies
  • Law/Legal Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Religion
  • Sociology
  • Spanish Language
  • Theology
  • Urban Planning

About Santiago

Chile is a long and narrow country, bordered on the east by the Andes and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Santiago, 60 miles from the coast and the fifth largest city in South America, is home to over six million inhabitants. The capital city of Chile, Santiago, is both modern and dynamic and dominates the political, economic, and cultural life of the country.

Where You'll Study

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, “la Católica,” is the country’s leading private university with 18,000 students. Courses are offered at 17 schools among four campuses located in and around Santiago.

Universidad de Chile

The Universidad de Chile, “la Chile,” is the country’s preeminent public university with 20,000 students. It offers courses in 13 faculties.

Universidad de Santiago

The Universidad de Santiago, USACH, is one of Chile’s top five universities. USACH is centrally located and has approximately 18,000 students.

Thoughts From Abroad

Santiago de Chile es una de las ciudades más modernas de América Latina. Junto con ser una ciudad cosmopolita, Santiago representa los distintos aspectos de la cultura chilena, desde las artes, el desarrollo económico, su más reciente historia política, su variada oferta de diversión, recreación y experiencias vitales.

Chile con cerca de 16 millones de habitantes, posee paisajes diversos con fuertes contrastes. En la parte norte se encuentra el desierto más seco del mundo, junto a salares, enormes minas de cobre y una costa en el mar Pacífico llena de riquezas marinas. En la zona central, Chile tiene un conjunto de valles con un gran territorio agrícola, ganadero y vinícola, así como una costa con ciudades de mucha actividad turística y comercial como Viña del Mar y Valparaíso. Hacia su zona sur, Chile se expande a través de volcanes, lagos, una cordillera de Los Andes llena de nieve, así como ciudades intermedias ideales para conocer diferentes aspectos de la cultura chilena. En el sur se encuentran la vida cultural Mapuche y otras expresiones indígenas que hacen parte de la nación. Chile termina en el extremo sur, en la Patagonia, donde se encuentra la ciudad más austral del mundo. Cada lugar de Chile es una opción para la experiencia vital y el aprendizaje sobre un país emergente y lleno de secretos por descubrir.

— Patricio Varas Guerrero, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Patricio Varas Guerrero, Resident Director, a native of Valparaíso, Chile, is completing his Ph.D. in Linguistics at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in the first term of 2009. His Ph.D. focuses on models of discourse processing, based on corpus linguistics, to explain how different groups use language to reach their functional goals. He spent 10 years in Bogotá, Colombia. There, he earned his M.A. in Development Planning and Administration, from the Universidad de los Andes, working with local and regional development projects and public policy at governmental organizations, as well as teaching courses in public policy analysis at Universidad de Los Andes.

Elsa Maxwellis, Assistant Resident Director, in charge of managing office administration and extracurricular activities. Elsa has a B.A. in International Relations and Spanish from Augsburg College.

Briggitta Muñoz, Student Coordinator, handles housing, internships and volunteering. She has worked with CIEE for over a decade. Briggita received her education at the Instituto Central de Capacitación Educacional in 1992. Cintia Ponce is the Staff Administrative Secretary.

Recommended Credit

semester: 17-20 semester/25.5-30 quarter hours
academic year: 34-40 semester/51-60 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75
  • 6 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent
  • 1 Spanish language course within the past year recommended

Program Dates

Fall 20097/15/2009 - 12/14/2009
Academic Year 2009-107/15/2009 - 7/12/2010
Spring 20102/17/2010 - 7/12/2010
Calendar Year 20102/17/2010 - TBA

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Academic Year 2009-104/1/2009
Spring 201011/1/2009
Calendar Year 201011/1/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200922 weeks
mid-July - mid-December
Academic Year 2009-1052 weeks
mid-July - early July
Spring 201021 weeks
mid-February - early-July
Calendar Year 201045 weeks
mid-February - mid-December

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $12,750
    The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, immersion activities including language partners and volunteer opportunities, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, scheduled activities, field trips, host institution identity card, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    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 to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Housing and Meals$3,220
    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$9,456
    Total$12,750

    The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, immersion activities including language partners and volunteer opportunities, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, scheduled activities, field trips, host institution identity card, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,600
    Books and Supplies$150
    Personal Expenses$2,000
    Local Transportation$600
    Student Visa (average cost)$200
    Total$4,550


  • Academic Year 2009-10 $22,950
    The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, immersion activities including language partners and volunteer opportunities, excursions, field trips, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, host institution identity card, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    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 to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Medical Insurance$74
    Housing and Meals$6,440
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$16,436
    Total$22,950

    The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, immersion activities including language partners and volunteer opportunities, excursions, field trips, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, host institution identity card, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Local Transportation$1,200
    Student Visa (average cost)$200
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,600
    Personal Expenses*$3,600
    Books and Supplies$300
    Total$6,900

    *Academic and Calendar Year students are responsible for housing and meals during the break between semesters. For the February to December program, this is approximately two weeks and costs are estimated at $350. For the July to July program, this is two and a half months and costs are estimated at $1,750. These additional expenses are not included in the Estimated Additional Costs listed above.


  • Spring 2010 $12,900
    The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, immersion activities including language partners and volunteer opportunities, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, scheduled activities, field trips, host institution identity card, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    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 to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$10,146
    Housing and Meals$2,680
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$12,900

    The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, immersion activities including language partners and volunteer opportunities, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, scheduled activities, field trips, host institution identity card, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Personal Expenses$2,000
    Student Visa (average cost)$150
    Transportation (round-trip based upon U.S. East Coast departure)$1,500
    Books and Supplies $150
    Local Transportation $600
    Total$4,400


  • Calendar Year 2010 $24,600
    The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, immersion activities including language partners and volunteer opportunities, excursions, field trips, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, host institution identity card, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    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 to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$19,166
    Housing and Meals$5,360
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$24,600

    The CIEE fee includes tuition, housing, all meals, an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, immersion activities including language partners and volunteer opportunities, excursions, field trips, a comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, host institution identity card, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,500
    Personal Expenses*$3,600
    Books and Supplies$300
    Student Visa (average cost)$150
    Local Transportation$1,200
    Total$6,750

    *Academic and Calendar Year students are responsible for housing and meals during the break between semesters. For the February to December (Calendar Year) program, this is approximately two weeks and costs are estimated at $350. For the July to July (Academic Year) program, this is approximately two months and costs are estimated at $1,400. These additional expenses are not included in the Estimated Additional Costs listed above.


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.