ISA established its Chile study abroad program in 1996, a time when this South American nation was first becoming a country of choice among U.S students looking to study abroad in the Spanish-speaking world. The allure of Chile as a study abroad destination for American students can be attributed to numerous factors. Among these are Chile's incredible topography (mountains and beaches are equally accessible) and Chile's rich literary and cultural heritage. The fact that Nobel laureates Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda are both Chilean seldom goes unnoticed among students and connoisseurs of Hispanic literature and culture. Also significant is the fact that Chile has continued to be a prominient player in the global economy, enjoying excellent political relations with the United States. Chile is also one of the most prosperous Latin American countries and the benefits of this prosperity include an excellent educational system and a multitude of distinguished universities. One of these universities, the Pontifical Catholic Univesity of Valparaíso, serves as the academic anchor of ISA's Chile study abroad program. LocationSouthern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru ClimateNorthern Chile is best identified by the Atacama Desert which is considered to be the driest desert in the world and is an area of extreme temperature fluctuations. The central region of the country, which includes Santiago and Valparaíso, has a Mediterranean climate that makes this region responsible for a large portion of Chile's agricultural productivity. The climate around Valparaíso is moderate and cool from May to October and warm and mild from November to April. Southern Chile has a cold and rainy climate and is characterized by vast forests, lakes, and glaciers. The eastern border of Chile is comprised of the Andes Mountain range whose high elevation is responsible for extreme temperatures throughout the year. | 
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