SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment
SIT Study Abroad
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(For American Students)
Gain unique insight into healthcare policies, politics, and delivery as well as traditional medicinal practices in Chilean communities.This program examines intercultural health and alternative healthcare practices in the context of Chile and sout... read more
All Reviews
I learned that its okay to be uncomfortable in new spaces. I learned a lot more about being independent and managing my money. I learned different perspectives on latinidad compared to that of the U.S. Marleny Nunez - Brandeis University View Entire Review
It was very worthwhile. I learned all about the health system in the country, advantages and disadvantages, the culture, and the people! A student - Macalester College View Entire Review
I learned that I was capable of going to an unknown country and making everlasting relationships and friendships, something I thought I'd struggle a lot more with. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
This experience was definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself and gained confidence in my speaking abilities in a foreign language as well as how to navigate in a completely new place. I have such an appreciation for traditional medicine and cultural practices that have existed for centuries that is still so prevalent ... Emani Kelley - The College of Wooster View Entire Review
All in all, it was worthwhile. It was one of the best experiences an aspiring doctor could have. You are forced to meet strangers and discuss intimate details of their life (in another language nonetheless), just like a doctor does when she/he opens the door of an exam room. You become aware of your vulnerability fluctuating, bu... Rosalie M - George Washington University View Entire Review
I gained the sense of wellbeing while living in a new place, learned content about public health in Chile, gained the experience of designing and executing my own anthropological research project. It was worthwhile! Haley C. - Whitman College View Entire Review
Firstly, my spanish skills improved a lot. Second, I think it was really great to be able to spend so long in one country (I had considered other programs that included more travel); I feel like I got to know Chile very well. A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
I learned a lot about Chilean culture and improved my Spanish skills. Allison B - Bowdoin College View Entire Review
My experience abroad was incredible. I completely fell in love with Chile and with learning in Chile. I learned so much about what I was interested and how to interact and be independent in a completely new culture. aleirawanders - Mount Holyoke College View Entire Review
I learned independence, confidence, the importance of making mistakes, open-mindedness. A student - Trinity University View Entire Review
My semester abroad in Chile utilized lectures, discussions and shadowing to fully understand the topics of public health, traditional medicine, and community empowerment in the Chilean, Peruvian, Aymará, and Mapuche populations. Throughout the semester our program traveled to the towns of Temuco in southern Chile, Putre in the h... Nicole M - University of Colorado - Boulder View Entire Review
Confidence in the language, an amazing second family, life long friends and travel companions, and an understanding of Chilean culture and public health. Sayre W - Middlebury College View Entire Review
I learned about the Chilean health care system and about traditional methods of medicine. My Spanish improved more than anything. I think the lessons I learned outside of the classroom were the most important. I learned about the importance of challenging myself and I learned about how to communicate in another language. Zoe T - Tulane University View Entire Review
I gained confidence, coping and life skills, personal growth, a different perspective. Was completely worth while Marielena Guerra - George Washington University View Entire Review
Beyond the mountain of new information I learned about the public health system and the Mapuche and Aymara cultures, I also learned about interacting with people. I learned how no amount of book knowledge can beat meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds, and learning about their lives. I how to approach new experi... Roman L - Brandeis University View Entire Review
So much insight into the Chilean culture. Lane - Tulane University View Entire Review
I improved my Spanish skills and gained enough confidence to go up to strangers and start conversations. I also learned about the Chilean healthcare system, which added to my understanding of our own healthcare system. Sarah S - Muhlenberg College View Entire Review
I learned how to be a balanced person. I realized that there is more out there than just schoolwork! It was extremely worthwhile!! Ava Pomerantz - Davidson College View Entire Review
I learned about the culture and Spanish and I learned a ton about myself. It was absolutely worthwhile! A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
People, more than places, will shape how you view things and the world at large. Chile is a great place to live and learn and has an interesting model for intercultural health. There are problems society faces everywhere due to historical events and there are lots of different solutions that can be used to tackle them. Rebecca G - Brandeis University View Entire Review
It was incredibly worthwhile. I got the chance to travel all over Chile and become fully immersed in the culture. I grew more confident in my ability to speak Spanish and navigate all kinds of situations. Sarah E - Washington University in Saint Louis View Entire Review
I learned how to relax and value what is actually important in life. Chileans have a way of investing their time in things that are actually important, like food and family. I had the opportunity to make many close and wonderful chilean friends and to travel with them and visit their homes and families after the program, and fr... A student - Trinity University View Entire Review
I gained a loving family who I miss very much and want to go back and visit. Also, I loved learning the spanish specific to Chile and I despite the challenge of never knowing what was going on because of the language barrier I feel like I learned, grew, and changed so much. The best 4 months of my life. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I really can't put it into words. Everyone who has the opportunity to do this program should. I'm so so inspired. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned so much about Chilean culture and also about the Chilean health system. I also learned about the indigenous groups in Chile and about how their negative relationship with the country and resulting inequality Emily N - Middlebury College View Entire Review
About
Gain unique insight into healthcare policies, politics, and delivery as well as traditional medicinal practices in Chilean communities.
This program examines intercultural health and alternative healthcare practices in the context of Chile and southern Peru. You will consider different conceptions of wellness and healing, including beliefs and health practices of the Aymara and Mapuche indigenous groups. The program gives you the opportunity to experience Chile's health system firsthand with guided, insightful visits to public and private health centers.
Major topics of study include:
- Chile's national and indigenous health systems
- Economic, structural, and ideological determinants of public health planning and practices
- Alternative treatments of psychiatric and other mental health issues
- Healing and spiritual beliefs
- Health of women, children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly
- Public health and community empowerment
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
Instruction Language(s):
- Spanish
- English
Language Requirement(s):
- Spanish
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literature
- Health Professions
- Medical Administrative Services
Website
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SIT Study Abroad Scholarships
SIT Study Abroad awards need-based scholarships and grants. We do not offer merit-based awards at this time. Average awards range between $500 and $5,000 for our semester programs, and between $500 and $3,000 for our summer programs. Our scholarships and grants are available to all students accepted into an SIT Study Abroad program irrespective of citizenship, national origin, or home school. We do not require a separate scholarship application for each scholarship fund; eligible students will be evaluated for all funds for which they are eligible. Please note: SIT Study Abroad scholarships and grants are only applicable to tuition and room/board fees billed by SIT Study Abroad. We do not award scholarships or grants to cover any other expenses, including, but not limited to, immunizations, visa fees, books, or study abroad fees charged by your home school. If your home school has an established billing agreement with us, it is your responsibility to communicate with your home school as to how your SIT scholarship or grant will be passed on to you by your home school. For a list of available scholarships and grants, click here.
$500 - $5000
