SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Cultural Identity, Social Justice, and Community Development
- Location(s): Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, Chile
- Program Type(s): Study Abroad
SIT Study Abroad
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(For American Students)
Live in ethnically diverse Arica, Chile, home to many different cultures and healthcare practices as well as unequal access to health services. From this strategic location near the borders of Peru and Bolivia, you’ll learn about transnational iss... read more
All Reviews
In addition to my language skills hugely improving, I learned about the patience, persistence, independence, and openness it takes to go to a fully new place alone and learn how to live there. I also gained a new perspective on sharing with people around you and was very inspired by the societal friendliness there. Though my exp... A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I became so much more comfortable speaking Spanish, but overall I think my biggest takeaway was how much my confidence grew. I interviewed strangers, lived with a new family, navigated a new city, made new friends, and experienced new cultures. Annessa I - Bethel University View Entire Review
I gained a lot of confidence and self assurance. So so worth it. Alessandra F - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Before studying abroad, I had no idea what to expect. I knew very little about Chile or what it would be like to live and study in a country I'd never been to before. That being said, I think this program was the best one I could have chosen for where I was. It gave me the knowledge I needed to be aware, the support system I nee... Eritrea Temesghen - Duke University View Entire Review
I learned who I am and what I really want to do in my studies and career. I learned about the beauty of cities, the unique risks and challenges that Chile is facing, and the joy of living next to the ocean. It was worth every penny, every scary moment, every awkward first encounter, every sacrifice, every second. Dana Kulma - Amherst College View Entire Review
I learned about Chile’s History like the Dictatorship, the constitution, its neo-liberal system, privatized system, marginalized groups, issues that oppress citizens. I learned about the indigenous communities: Aymara and Mapuche. I learned about afro descendents, new waves of immigrant groups. I learned the manner in which ... A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned so much about myself. I pushed myself academically and excelled more then I ever knew I could. I will never forget this experience. This experience will never not cross mind. Kaitlyn N - University of St. Thomas - Minnesota View Entire Review
I gained confidence in myself. The confidence that I can move to another country alone with a huge language barrier and come out with not only American friends I will have for a lifetime, but a Chilean family who I love with my whole heart. I learned a lot about how I deal with stress and how I deal with challenges that come wit... Olivia Arback - University of Colorado - Boulder View Entire Review
I learned a new language and about gender and race politics in other countries. Atia Butts - Brandeis University View Entire Review
It was definitely worthwhile! I learned about the connections we have with people from different places and how to learn from one another's values. A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
Language skills, cross cultural communication abilities, greater independence Alex Cohen - Trinity University View Entire Review
It was incredibly gratifying to integrate into another culture (and another language!) and learn about the social issues that exist in Chile. I felt like every travel experience was purposeful and taught me something about Chilean culture and society. Emily - Vanderbilt University View Entire Review
What I am capable of. How much I can depend on myself and how valuable I am to myself. Independence and how to face what may seem daunting with calm and clarity and proceed. A student - Claremont McKenna College View Entire Review
I gained valuable friendships and learned to be independent. It also reassured my aspiration to work in the nonprofit sector and want to continue to help the Latinx community. It showed me different ways that I could do this. A student - Gettysburg College View Entire Review
I developed a lot of independence, self-awareness, and Spanish language proficiency. This program was absolutely worthwhile. A student - University of Puget Sound View Entire Review
How to rely on others, the importance of putting personal issues with other students aside for the sake of the program, how to advocate for myself Rynn P - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I was able to go out of the country for the first time and learn so much more about Chile. I feel like I really learned about myself and was able to get a non-western perspective of life and social conflicts. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Hulda F - Brandeis University View Entire Review
My Spanish improved immensely, I went from not feeling comfortable speaking in front of others to being able to have hours-long conversations. It was definitely worthwhile in the context of my academic interests and growing as a student. Charlie Boddy - Occidental College View Entire Review
I am now more comfortable in who I am as a person. I learned what my goals are and I was able to do this abroad because of the lack of experience and comfort many have in a foreign place. I had to really reflect and evaluate what I wanted to put out into the world and this opportunity encouraged me to do that. Emily P - Bates College View Entire Review
I gained insight in understanding other cultures and their political history. My Spanish skills also improved exponentially. Brooke Ballard - University of Tennessee - Knoxville View Entire Review
I gained so many cultural insights, improved my Spanish astronomically, and met really interesting and vibrant people. A student - Smith College View Entire Review
It was 100% worthwhile, and I'm so glad I chose this program. It was the perfect blend of topics of history, politics, economics, anthropology, social justice, community development, culture, and more. I learned more outside the classroom than within it, and am so grateful for the experiential learning structure that is emphasiz... Alexandria - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I gained confidence in myself speaking a second language and exploring a new country/city both on my own and with new friends. I will forever be grateful for this experience because while it was probably the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, I learned *so* much about myself and other Ashlin Ondrusek - Sewanee: The University of the South View Entire Review
I learned not only how to navigate a new city and learn a new language, but I also learned a lot about myself and my identity. I would say that my experience was extremely worthwhile and I would love to do it again. Hailey - Colby College View Entire Review
Chile offers something for everyone since it is an extraordinarily diverse country. One can find fast-paced city life in the capital of Santiago, or a more laid-back experience in Valparaiso. We also had the opportunity to travel to rural communities in both the North and South of the country, which offered another special persp... A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
About
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
Instruction Language(s):
- Spanish
Language Requirement(s):
- Spanish
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Latin American Studies
- Spanish Language, Literature
- Social Sciences
- Political Science and Government
- History
Minimum GPA:
2.5Website
Take me there!Statistics
SIT Study Abroad Scholarships
Students who are Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Scholars will receive a $2,000 award for SIT Study Abroad semester or summer programs.
$2,000
To recognize and support alumni of EIL summer high school programs who also participate in SIT Study Abroad programs. $1,000 for semester programs and $500 for summer. A $400 scholarship is also available to students who indicate that they have an immediate family member who has participated in an EIL or its College Semester Abroad program.
$400 - $1,000
For students enrolled at Hispanic-serving institutions, including member institutions of HACU who demonstrate financial need, SIT will award a $3,000 scholarship for participation in a semester program and $2,000 for a summer program.
$2,000 - $3,000
For students enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and who demonstrate financial need, SIT will award a $2,000 scholarship for participation in a semester program or $1,500 for a summer program.
$1,500 - $2,000
To recognize students participating in this community service program. Upon receipt of confirmation from a student’s Bonner mentor, SIT will award $2,500 for semester programs and $1,000 for summer programs.
$1,000 - $2,500
To recognize students participating in the National Security Education Program (NSEP) funded award, which focuses on study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to US interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Upon receipt of the student’s Boren confirmation letter, SIT will award a $1,000 scholarship.
$1,000
For students enrolled at Big 10 Academic Alliance universities. Eligible students demonstrating financial need will receive a $1,500 scholarship for semester programs and a $750 scholarship for summer programs.
$750 - $1,500
This is an automatic scholarship to recognize and support students who participate in two or more SIT Study Abroad programs, including alumni of short-term summer programs. The scholarship will be applied to a student’s second full term of study with SIT. The scholarship is $1,000 for a fall or spring semester program or $500 for a full-term, international summer program.
$500 - $1,000
An average of $4,500 (amount varies) is awarded to one female student, 22 years of age or younger, who demonstrates international awareness and a desire to create a more peaceful world through international exchange. This scholarship is available for summer programs only.
$4,500
These scholarships ($30,000 divided between several students annually, with an average award of $3,750 per student) are for students who wish to study in Latin America or East Africa and focus primarily on women’s reproductive health and/or other topics such as girls’ education, poverty, social justice, ecology, or regional integration. Preferred SIT East Africa programs are those based in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, or Tanzania.
$3,750
This $10,000 scholarship opportunity is for one student per year. The student must demonstrate extreme financial need, attend an HBCU (or other minority-serving institution), be a first-generation college student, and have never previously traveled abroad.
$10,000
SIT matches Federal Pell Grant funding up to $2,500 for semester students who use their Pell Grant to help pay the cost of their SIT program. Students utilizing their Federal Pell Grant for SIT Study Abroad summer terms receive up to a $1000 match.
$1,000 - $2,500
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