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Population

15,665,220

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Climate

Northern 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.

I cannot even begin to describe the impact that my stay in Chile has had on my life. This program has pushed me to open my mind and my heart to new situations and people, and I have learned so much about the world and myself in the process. My host mother has treated me as if I were her own child and the ISA staff has been extremely helpful. I now consider Chile my second home and cannot wait to return to embark on new adventures.

-- Amanda Greenwood , Boston College

Academic Programs Offered in Chile* click on dots for detailed information
CitiesYearSemester /
Trimester		SummerIntensive MonthJ-Term
Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

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.