santiago chile metropolitan cathedral at sunset
Santiago, Chile

Semester in Santiago

New for Spring 2025!

Study Program

Dates

-

18 weeks

Costs

Credit

12 - 18 semester hours

18 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Dates

-

19 weeks

Costs

Credit

12 - 18 semester hours

18 - 27 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Do you have a deep wish to experience a Latin American metropolis so close to the sea and the mountains that you could literally visit both in one day? Do you crave a blend of language immersion and cultural exposure with academic success? CIEE Santiago de Chile has the perfect program for you! Enjoy a semester in Santiago taking courses at any (or all) of our three, Latin American-leading partner universities. This program gives you the opportunity to blend in with local college students and make new friends, be academically challenged, and explore global topics with a local taste in the language you feel most comfortable with.

Santiago de Chile boasts a plethora of amenities that cater to students studying abroad. The city's efficient public transportation system makes navigating its diverse neighborhoods a breeze, whether you're exploring cultural sites, dining at local eateries, or shopping for souvenirs. For those seeking outdoor adventures, the city's proximity to the Andes Mountains and to coastal cities provides ample opportunities for hiking, skiing, surfing and other recreational activities. Every term, our local team invites students to weekly cultural outings to nurture your curiosity and encourage your immersion, and trips are intended to give you a glimpse into Chile’s cultural and geographical diversity. 

CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Student Scholarship

Apply to become one of 100 students to receive a full-funded CIEE Study Abroad program in Latin America for fall '25 or spring '26!

Learn More

Unique Experiences

\

Take a deep dive into Latin American pre-Columbian and colonial art

with CIEE excursions to world-class specialized art museums

Take a gondola ride in Parque Metropolitano

the 4th largest metropolitan park in the world

Explore award-winning contemporary architecture

and enjoy breathtaking views of Santiago from the only Bahá’í temple in South America

7

CULTURAL AND NATURAL LANDMARKS AS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN CHILE 

15

BEACHES LOCATED AT THE CENTRAL COAST OF CHILE, NEAR SANTIAGO

22 +

OFFICIAL TRAILS TO TREK IN THE ANDES AND THE OUTSKIRTS OF SANTIAGO

Experience
  • santiago ch girl riding a horse up a mountain side
  • Santiago, Chile cityscape hazy sunset
  • student walking among vineyard in santiago chile

Your Destination

Santiago de Chile is a city of wonders, where the past and present intertwine to create a tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty. The city is framed by the majestic Andes Mountains, their snow-capped peaks providing a breathtaking backdrop to the urban landscape. Within the city, you will explore the historic neighborhoods of Barrio Lastarria and Barrio Bellavista, where colonial architecture blends seamlessly with modern art galleries, boutique shops, and vibrant street art. Santiago's culinary scene is equally rich, offering a tantalizing array of flavors, from traditional Chilean dishes to international cuisine, mixed with food offerings from all over Latin America! And when it’s time for disconnecting and recharging, Santiago's multiple parks and green spaces provide a tranquil escape from the bustling city streets.  

As an international student, you will embark on your daily routines commuting by an efficient metro system or cycling along dedicated bike lanes with the Andes surrounding and providing a framework for your daily adventures. College campuses at partner universities offer an array of activities and opportunities to their students, and courses in English will allow you to pursue your required credits without the hardships of a language barrier. At lunchtime, the college cafeteria will surprise you with healthy, hearty, homemade food, and an opportunity to catch up with new friends. Afternoons are often spent exploring Santiago's cultural attractions, such as museums and art galleries, with friends or CIEE peers in customized cultural outings. Evenings in Santiago begin with the tantalizing aromas of fresh-baked bread and tea at “once” time with friends and family, to later enjoying gatherings in parks, cafés, or theaters to socialize and appreciate the city's rich cultural offerings, from live music performances to theater productions.

Whether exploring the city's historic sites, indulging in its culinary delights, or simply soaking in the natural beauty that surrounds it, Santiago de Chile is a city that never fails to captivate and inspire. 

The Culture

a pottery store in pomaire, chile

Excursions & Activities

  • Visit Pomaire, a picturesque Chilean village known for its traditional pottery and rustic charm. A CIEE study trip to Pomaire typically includes a pottery-making workshop guided by experienced local artisans, with both direct sculpting work and pottery-wheel work. There also are opportunities to try Chilean delicacies and partake in a cooking workshop!  
  • Take a trip to Aconcagua Valley, a serene Chilean valley nestled in the Andes Mountain range celebrated for its agricultural heritage and scenic beauty. This study trip explores the history of Chile’s independence through walking tours along its old and picturesque streets. A short trek takes CIEE students to the top of a hill/art park where they enjoy views of the valley and fields. Given the agricultural nature of the area, previous trips have also included a stop by a local, small-scale vineyard to learn about and taste the terroir of Chilean wine.  
  • As part of the cultural offerings of our center, CIEE students may attend plays and performances reflecting artistically and aesthetically on current hot issues such as feminism, human rights, and ecology/sustainability.  
  • Santiago’s diverse “comunas” (districts) offer a peek into the lives and perspectives of a diverse body of citizens. Our local staff facilitates insightful tours into neighborhoods that foreigners may otherwise miss. One of them is the art district in San Miguel district, or a guided visit to explore historical migrations in Santiago’s Patronato neighborhood.  
  • Chile’s history unfolds around the exploitation of natural resources, from land to mines. Visits to selected museums advance this history to CIEE students in a friendly and approachable way, such as the Cousiño Palace Museum.  
  • While a predominantly Catholic country, Chile’s spirituality has drastically changed in the last 10 years. Students have the chance to explore and gain a deeper understanding of the topic by guided visits to spiritual centers such as the Cathedral of Santiago, the Baha’i temple, or the As-Salam Mosque. 
santiago intern students speaking with center director

Academic Projects

A for-credit internship (in English or in Spanish) allows students the opportunity to have practical work experience in a company or NGO within a variety of industry sectors. In addition, students participating in an internship program have a weekly classroom component, which provides academic support to their practical experience. 

For-credit Directed Independent Research is for qualified students who have demonstrated academic rigor and curiosity toward a particular research topic. Independent research topics will be approved by the CIEE Santiago Director and home institution and should ideally reflect a topic that is relevant to Chile. To be accepted into this course, students must submit a structured proposal with topic of exploration, significance of research topic as it relates to Santiago/Chile, methodology, a literature review, and a schedule of research milestones. Upon research completion, students will present their findings to a panel of academics. 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

6 Best Study Abroad Programs in Chile

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

If you’re asking yourself, “Is Chile a good place to study abroad?” the answer is a resounding yes! Step off the plane into a city buzzing with life, where snow-capped... keep reading

From CIEE

What are the Best Places to Study Abroad in Latin America?

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

If you’re reading this, you’re probably ready to take your college experience to the next level with an extraordinary study abroad adventure. What better way to do than by discovering... keep reading

From CIEE

Study Abroad in Latin America: The Ultimate Guide

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Deciding where to study abroad can be as thrilling as it is daunting, especially with so many amazing Latin America study abroad programs and countries to choose from. We get... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

Students have wide flexibility to design their own academic load-taking options from the following scheme:

  • Courses taught in English at top Chilean universities: Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad Diego Portales
  • For those proficient in Spanish, there is the option to take courses in Spanish at all three local universities
  • Students can also opt for courses delivered in English and/or Spanish by CIEE  

Before your arrival onsite, you will have a one-on-one academic counseling with local staff to review your options and decide whether your proposed schedule is logistically feasible (commuting between campuses may take between 30-45 minutes).  

Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.

GPA

2.5

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

All Semester in Santiago students take courses for a total of 12-18 semester credits. Students enroll in 4-5 courses per semester, choosing from: 

  • CIEE courses 
  • Host Institution courses taught in English at any of the following Chilean universities: Universidad de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Universidad Diego Portales. There is a commute of about 30-45 minutes between campuses to consider for final course schedule.  
    • Students may choose to take host institution courses taught in Spanish if the student shows proof of language proficiency 
    • Students may choose courses from any or all of the partner universities 
  • Online Course Options: substitute up to two ASU online courses

Program Credit

Total of 12-18 semester credits/18-27 quarter credits

Course Credit

  • CIEE Courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits; 45-60 contact hours.  
  • Host Institution Courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits, unless otherwise noted.   
  • CIEE Internship: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 seminar hours, 100-120 internship placement hours. 
  • CIEE Directed Independent Research: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Courses taught in English at partner universities tend to gather local students who are enthusiasts of the language and want to practice more. Thus, the presence of international students in local courses is highly valued by instructors as they see it as an opportunity to add foreign perspectives to the local audience. On the other hand, CIEE-offered courses are exclusively for CIEE students across programs, and they are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. Classes at host institutions are typically scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., while CIEE courses usually go from Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Both CIEE and host institution classes tend to meet twice a week.

In terms of attendance, all three host institutions have a policy requiring students to attend more than 80% of class time. Additionally, some courses offer weekly complimentary tutoring sessions with a teaching assistant (TA). These sessions are sometimes considered part of the class attendance, or the tutoring session may be factored into the class's final grade. CIEE courses are ruled by similar policies. It’s worth mentioning that CIEE co-curriculars have mandatory participation (they are part of the course’s grade).

CIEE instructors use Canvas as their academic platform. Communications, notifications, along with assignments, grades, and readings are stored and disseminated through this means. Each host institution has its own platform. 

Class Format

In general, the Chilean pedagogical teaching approach is more teacher-centered, with the instructor mainly leading the lectures and facilitating the course discussions. Instructors at local universities tend not to have office hours. Instead, they can be reached by email, the corresponding academic platform, or right after or before class time.  

Students usually have daily homework assignments and readings informed by the instructor in the online platform for the course, via email or orally during class time. Students are not required to buy books as most of the bibliographical materials are provided by the course facilitator on the online platform and they are usually available in the host institution library. In terms of co-curricular activities, CIEE courses have guaranteed co-curricular activities, but host-institution courses tend not to offer this type of opportunity to students.  

To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of Santiago when classes are in session and plan trips for the long weekends. 

Grading

CIEE reports all final course grades to students’ home institutions using a U.S. letter grade equivalent scale of A-F. For CIEE-administered courses, students’ grades are based on attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi. Just as with CIEE courses, final grades for local institution courses are a compound of components of a different nature, such as attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Primary assessments (assessments with more weight) are usually two or three part written exams. The final examination may be held in either oral or written format (or both) and is usually worth around 30% of the final grade for the course. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

English and/or Spanish

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Academic Projects

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Communication, Journalism, and Media

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Languages and Cultural Studies

Course
Language
Semester Credit

The following list of courses constitutes a representative sample of course offerings in English through our partner universities and is subject to change. Some courses are offered once a year, in either the spring or fall semester. 

Universidad Diego Portales*This brochure corresponds to 2024.
EngineeringPython for Engineers
EnvironmentEnvironment and Sustainable Development
HistoryIndigenous Population in Chile and the Americas
AstrophysicsExploring the Solar System and Beyond
Zooming in and out: Scaling the Universe
Social ScienceWomen’s Rights Movements: From Alaska to Patagonia
United States of America: A nation of Migrants
LawInternational criminal law
Current trends on migration
International courts and politics
EconomyDoing Business in Latin America

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Introduction to gastronomic engineering

Fintech: financial applications

Number theory

Algebraic Topology

Research, innovation and entrepreneurship

Comparative Constitutional Law

Research seminar: International and Comparative Law

China: Business, Law, Technology and Society

Litigating Before International Courts and Tribunals

Persuasive Communication

English for Small Children

Strange Tales in Narrative and Film

Language and the Brain: Discourse Comprehension and production

English and Spanish Contrasts

English Phonetics and Phonology II

Applied Grammar II

Drama

Poetry

Classical and Medieval Literature

Narrative I

Research in Literature/Linguistics

Applied Phonetics II

Multimedia Journalism Workshop

Universidad de Chile
Philosophy and HumanitiesChilean History and Culture through Literature and Film
American Culture Through Literature and Film
Culture and Power: Mechanisms of Social and Cultural Control
Government
The Chilean Political Crisis
LawEuropean Union and Latin American Integration Law
Agricultural SciencesNano Agriculture
ArtsHistory of Art: Chilean Heritage
International StudiesLatin American Politics and World Affairs
Business School 
Advanced Accounting
The Economic Way of Thinking
Urban Economics
Environmental Economics
Finance I
Corporate Financial Management
Business Intelligence and Analytics
Business Intelligence and Data Base Applications
Business Process Management
Chilean Economic Development
International Business
Marketing
Business Negotiations
Latin America´s World Affairs
Business Strategy
Managing Multinational Corporations in LATAM
Intercultural Business Challenges in Latin America 

CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, 100% online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.

CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.

Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program! 

Search ASU Online Courses >

 

Program Options
Program Options

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • Trailblazer Grant
  • Fall 25 or Spring 26 Leading Change in Latin America Student Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Spring 2025 18 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $17,950
Program Fall 2025 19 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $17,950

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $13,456**

Housing = $4,000***

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $17,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,008

International Airfare = $1,000††

Local Transportation = $160†††

Books & Supplies = $15

Visa Fees = $160††††

Personal expenses = $250

Total Costs = $2,593

Optional Housing

CIEE accommodation options are detailed in the Housing section. Based on availability, Select or Select Plus Housing can be chosen during the application process for an additional fee. Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis; however, other factors may also be considered.

Select Housing Fee = $750

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $272 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††one round trip a day for the semester by subway

††††average cost

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $13,456**

Housing = $4,000***

Insurance = $194

Total Fees = $17,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $1,008

International Airfare = $1,100††

Local Transportation = $160†††

Books & Supplies = $15

Visa Fees = $160††††

Personal expenses = $250

Total Costs = $2,693

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable fee

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals (breakfast and dinner). For students in apartments, you should budget approx. $272 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††one round trip a day for the semester by subway

††††average cost

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Victor Muñoz

Programs and Finance Manager

Víctor is passionate about studies. He graduated in Business and Economy, has a master's degree on Strategic Management and Project Evaluation, and certifications on Data Science in Python. He also...

Camila Soto

Program Coordinator

Camila Soto has a BA in Literature with experience in independent publishing, language teaching and international education. At CIEE she has worked at the Teach in Chile program and as...

Alejandra Herrera

Regional Director of Operations for Latin America, Interim Center Director, Santiago Chile

Alejandra is a passionate and experienced educator in higher education in Chile with more than 10 years in the field of International Education.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info