Program Overview
Santiago, Chile is an excellent site for a study abroad program. Santiago is not only Chile’s political, cultural and economic center, but it is also one of the most manageable capitals in Latin America for the first-time visitor. It is a big city, yet it has an almost provincial atmosphere. Standing in the narrow streets and compact few blocks of the center of Santiago, it is hard to believe that you are at the heart of a dynamic cosmopolitan metropolis with a population of more than five million people. The unique environment in Santiago combines European influences in architectural and cultural traditions with its Latin American heritage. After almost three decades of free market economics, the North American influence is apparent in the newly developed areas of the new barrio alto where smoked glass and marble offices transport the visitor to Chicago or Houston.
Located in the central valley between the Andes and the coastal mountains, Santiago offers great opportunities to explore the mountains outside the city and the Pacific beaches. In the city one might attend an opera, a rock concert, eat at a sidewalk café, stroll through the local markets or shop at one of the sophisticated shopping malls in the plush barrio alto. Universidad Mayor will host this program. The university has six campuses in different locations spread throughout the city of Santiago. Students will take classes at the Manuel Montt campus which is located in Providencia (an upper middle class quiet neighborhood).
Students will be housed in pairs in private Chilean homes in Santiago in the Providencia neighborhood within walking distance or a short bus ride to the campus. Bedding and linen will be provided as well as breakfast and dinner daily. Lunch can be purchased on campus at a nominal cost. Program costs include all air and in country ground transportation, excursions, and lodging
Classroom activities will be complemented with cooking and dance lessons, and by visits to museums and week-end excursions to the different regions of the country. In central Chile students will discover the charm of cultural coastal cities like Valparaiso, Viña del Mar and Isla Negra (Pablo Neruda’s home). In northern Chile students will learn about indigenous civilizations and visit cities and places in the Atacama desert such as San Pedro de Atacama, a fascinating archeological city. A tour of Tulor and Quitor archeological site will take students back in time as it traces the history of Chile to over 2,800 years. And a magical sunset over the Andes can be viewed from the sand dunes in the Moon Valley after a journey to the Tatio Geysers and the cascading pools of Puritama Hot springs. Finally, Puerto Mont and Chiloé Island, the largest island in South America, will highlight the excursion by the south of the country.
All courses are taught in Spanish.
Requirements
The Winter Session Program in Chile is designed for students who have completed both Spanish 200 and Spanish 201 or their equivalents. Applicants should have a G.P.A. of at least 2.0 (on a 4.00 scale).
Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance, which is based on academic quality and demonstrated ability to contribute to the objectives of the program. Early application is encouraged as acceptances may be made on a rolling basis and the program may fill before the application deadline.
For all participants, a formal application is necessary, including a deposit, one transcript (non-University of Delaware students only), and one recommendation. An interview may be conducted in person or by telephone.
Study abroad at the University of Delaware is highly competitive. See here for an overview of the acceptance process. If you are not selected for your first choice program, we recommend moving your application and deposit to another program (by emailing your request to studyabroad@udel.edu).
UD students pay all program fee deposits by direct bank transfer via this website: http://www.udel.edu/studyabroadpayments. Non-UD students should send a check, payable to the University of Delaware, to CFIS, Elliott Hall, 26 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19716. Credit card payments are not accepted.
