How to Study Abroad in Chile

Find yourself in any area of Chile and you’re in for an adventure. The county’s long and narrow outline holds just about every landscape you can dream up, spanning north to south from the dry Atacama Desert to the ice fields of Patagonia. Along the way, you’ll encounter volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, and enough charming towns and bustling cities to fill any vacation itinerary.

But if you really want to experience Chile’s culture and customs, studying abroad is the way to go. We’re here with good news if you’re wondering how to study abroad in Chile: The diversity of landscapes matches the diversity of ways to study abroad.

This is the place where quality academics come together with urban art and social scenes and those surreal landscapes you have to see to believe. Whether you’re looking to study in Chile in English or learn Spanish in Chile, there’s a program just waiting to deliver the most memorable days of your college career.

How to study abroad in Chile

Whether you want to study abroad in English or Spanish, there are options for you!

From adventure-inspiring contrasts in nature, climate, and topography to culturally rich urban centers, Chile gives you plenty of good reasons to make it your top study abroad destination. You have options, no matter your level of Spanish. Here’s how to get started:

1. Decide if you want to study in Spanish or English

Chile is a great place to learn Spanish thanks to the notoriously difficult Chilean dialect (yes, that’s a good thing!). Immersing yourself in the language here will make understanding other Spanish dialects easier. Even if you have years of Spanish under your belt, you’ll see your skills improve when you practice, practice, practice in Chile.

Prefer to study in Chile in English? That’s totally possible, too. You can take various subjects taught in English while experiencing Chilean culture. All sorts of majors can study abroad in Chile and earn credits for their degree.

2. Decide when and where to go

Choosing where to study abroad is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. You already know if you want to take classes in English or learn Spanish in Chile, so now it’s time to decide exactly where your study abroad journey will take you.

Maybe you’re drawn to big-name destinations like Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, or Santiago, or you hear a nontraditional city in Chile calling your name. No matter the experience you’re drawn to, you’re sure to find an ideal home away from home somewhere between the Atacama Desert in the north and Patagonia’s glaciers in the south.

Equally important? Deciding when—and for how long—you’ll study abroad. With everything from short-term language immersion programs to full semester and year-long programs available, Chile makes it easy to find a time to study abroad that works well with your academic goals and travel dreams.

3. Inquire at your university and look for programs

If your university doesn’t offer programs in Chile, don’t worry—you still have options.

Before you start filling out any applications, check with folks at your university to put your plans to study abroad in Chile in motion. Your university may have exchange agreements with universities in Chile, or they may have programs or providers they’ve worked with before to recommend.

Make sure to speak with your study abroad advisor to ensure your home school approves of your program choice—and to stay on top of any requirements your school has for you before you go, like planning out the courses you’ll take in Chile. Taking time to do your research now will go a long way to ensuring a smooth transition to life in Chile later on.

4. Choose a program

Whether your university has program recommendations for you or you’re choosing a program on your own, consider your goals for your time abroad while comparing study abroad programs.

Are there courses you’re interested in taking in English or at the right level of Spanish for you? Are there ways to get involved with the local community, like international student groups or opportunities to volunteer while studying abroad?

Knowing the type of experience you want—whether that’s diving into an intensive language immersion or earning academic credits in English—can help you narrow down your options. Research places in Chile you’d like to call home for semester, summer, or academic year to find the program that’s right for you.

5. Apply for programs and scholarships

Apply for your preferred programs and funding opportunities ASAP.

Now that you’ve found your perfect program, it’s time to hit send on that application. Make sure you meet program requirements and have everything you need (think: transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation) to submit a great application.

You’ll also want to apply for scholarships and financial aid to make your time in Chile more affordable. Trust us, it is possible to get scholarships for study abroad, so do your research now to make paying for your time abroad easier!

6. Gather documents, book flights—and start your study abroad adventure

Depending on your citizenship and how long you plan to stay in Chile, you may need a student visa to enter Chile, or you may enter on a tourist visa and extend your visa after arrival. Your program staff can help you figure out visa requirements. And don’t forget, you’ll definitely need a passport to travel abroad, so now is the time to apply for a passport if you don’t yet have one!

Get yourself organized by creating a checklist of all your to-dos before departure. That includes booking your flight, packing your bags, and getting excited for all the nature, culture, and top-notch academics you’ll experience in Chile.

Get matched with 5 study abroad programs in Chile—for free!

4 ways to learn Spanish in Chile

Semester, summer, academic year, intensive—which one is right for you?

When you decide to learn Spanish abroad, you’re giving yourself the gift of full-time language immersion. So, wondering how to learn Spanish in Chile? Considering the pros and cons of different options will help you find the right path for you:

1. Summer Spanish programs in Chile

Though semesters abroad square more closely with what people consider the quintessential study abroad experience, a summer studying Spanish in Chile might just be the experience you need. Studying abroad in the summer comes with some serious benefits.

With a summer in Chile, you can earn more credits and jumpstart your language skills in less time. Less time means more flexibility, both in terms of academic planning—you won’t need to worry about missing out on regular semesters and required classes back home—and budgeting.

The shorter time frame means you’ll save on daily costs for things like accommodations and meals. However, you won’t get as much language immersion and time in Chile as you would with other options.

2. Study Spanish in Chile during the semester

The longer you stay abroad, the more you’ll get to practice the language. A Spanish semester program means more time in class and more time speaking the local language with locals, which translates to exponential growth in your language abilities.

You simply can’t beat real-world immersion when it comes to boosting your fluency in Spanish. Put that together with in-class instruction at your language level, and studying abroad for a fall or spring semester can power your language-learning journey in ways you just can’t get by studying from a textbook in class back home.

Of course, there are downsides to semester-long study abroad programs, too. You’ll spend a longer time away from family and friends, and you’ll have to budget for a longer time abroad. However, you’ll find many study abroad scholarships that are only available for longer periods abroad, so opting for a full semester might just open the door to more funding.

3. Learn Spanish in Chile for a year

Spending an entire year in Chile will completely transform your Spanish skills.

If you’re wondering how to learn Spanish in Chile and really want to maximize your learning, studying abroad for a year in Chile can get you there. Think of a year abroad as heightening both the good and bad sides of a semester.

Sure, you’ll have more time to feel homesick, and you’ll have to fund program costs and the daily cost of living abroad for a whole year. But you’ll also get even more opportunities for intercultural learning and Spanish practice. That’s a whole year of ordering seafood in Spanish, chatting with your local friends on beach days and nights out, and learning the language from experienced teachers.

4. Intensive Spanish in Chile

It bears repeating: Learning a language abroad is the best way to learn a language. Focus your time in Chile on Spanish classes and you’ll see your abilities soar.

You’ll complement in-class instruction with exposure to Chilean culture, building cultural awareness while studying one of the best languages to learn for the future. An intensive Spanish program lets you make honing your language skills the bedrock of your time abroad. We bet you’ll gain some insight into your own future while you’re at it.

Are you ready to study abroad in Chile?

Maybe you’ve been counting down the days until you could study abroad in Latin America since you were first applying for college, or maybe you’ve just recently put Chile on your internal map of places to study. Whatever got you here—and whatever you want to study—it’s time to let Chile show you why it’s the ultimate place to study abroad.

This article was written with help from Universidad De Viña Del Mar - Chile. UVM is located in historical Valparaiso, just an hour and a half away from Santiago. Their goal is to provide access to quality education while fostering student growth and integrity.