Study Abroad Library

CIEE Liberal Arts Program in Santiago, Chile

The Liberal Arts program aims to provide students firsthand knowledge of contemporary issues and cultural patterns in Chile. This is accomplished through an orientation program, supplemental cultural activities throughout the semester, and Chilean homestays. Students also have the opportunity to meet their academic and linguistic goals through direct enrollment at two outstanding universities in Santiago: the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and the Universidad de Chile. Academic Program Founded in 1992, the CIEE Study Center in Santiago provides a supportive environment for students to directly enroll in two of Chile's major universities. Given the array of disciplines and courses available to participants, the program is suitable for under- graduate students from a variety of majors with strong Spanish language skills. All courses are taught in Spanish. Latin American Studies Certificate Academic year students can obtain a Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile-issued Latin American Studies Certificate by studying and passing five courses related to Latin American studies. Human Rights Certificate Upon successful completion of two courses, Human Rights in Latin America and Chile and Recognition and Criminalization of Chilean Indigenous Rights, program participants qualify to receive a Human Rights Certificate. The Certificate is offered to CIEE students only by faculty from the School of Law at Universidad Central, one of the leading institutions in the study of human rights in Chile. Students may take only one of these courses as part of their regular course load. Academic Culture A great deal of emphasis is placed on memorization and note taking in most classes. It can take a while to learn how to study effectively in the Chilean system, especially in terms of acquiring reading material and understanding professor's expectations. Chilean classmates are often an excellent source for help. Average class size is 20 to 30 students. The atmosphere of the two host universities is quite distinct in terms of socio demographic backgrounds of the student bodies, their political leanings, size of classes, and infrastructure. The opportunity to enroll in more than one Chilean university is quite unique and provides insight into the diversity of the Chilean educational system. The first semester of the Chilean academic year begins in March and ends mid-July, and the second semester begins in mid-July and ends in mid-December. A year-long program of study in Santiago can begin either during the North American fall (academic year program) or spring semester (calendar year program). Academic year students who begin their study during the North American fall semester have a two-month break between semesters and are encouraged to travel in Latin America. There is a break of about two weeks between the spring and fall semesters for calendar year students. Students may also choose to spend a second semester at the CIEE Study Center in Valparaíso, Chile.