SIT Study Abroad: Chile - Public Health, Traditional Medicine, and Community Empowerment
SIT Study Abroad
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(For American Students)
Learn about public health through traditional medicine and intercultural health practices, indigenous customs, community welfare, and social justice.Live in ethnically diverse Arica, Chile, home to many cultural worldviews and health practices as ... read more
All Reviews
Not only did I gain knowledge of public health, indigenous medicine, and the Spanish language, but I gained new friends and connections that expand to places I had never thought before. The people I met alone make the experience worth it. Liam F - Washington University in St. Louis View Entire Review
¡Sípo! Reflecting on my time studying abroad in Arica, I can confidently say that it was worth every moment and effort. This experience has broadened my horizons, enhanced my academic and professional skills, and shaped me into a more globally aware and culturally sensitive individual. I am immensely grateful for the opportun... Karthik L - University of Richmond View Entire Review
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
I was amazing to become close and make friends and family thousands of miles from home. In addition, my Spanish-speaking skills increased more than I had ever dreamed they would, and now I feel confident speaking Spanish in most settings. Grace B - University of Wisconsin - Madison View Entire Review
It was more than worthwhile. This is an experience I will remember forever. I learned how to love people I differ from in many ways. I discovered where my passions lie in my career path. And, I found a home in a whole new country. Madison S - Washington University in St. Louis 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
About
Live in ethnically diverse Arica, Chile, home to many cultural worldviews and health 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 issues such as infectious disease management and examine healthcare from international perspectives at health centers and government offices. You’ll also learn how to collect, analyze, integrate, and report social and public health data, and use that knowledge while completing independent research or an internship.
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
Instruction Language(s):
- Spanish
Language Requirement(s):
- Spanish
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literature
- Health Professions
- Health Sciences General
- Medical Administrative Services
- Public Health
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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