Located in South America, Chile stretches along the Pacific coast and shares its eastern border with the Andes and the Drake Passage. Its neighbors, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina are a short distance away. Its cultural influences are primarily Spanish and indigenous, though people from around the world have settled and influenced this diverse nation. Its culture and history make it a fascinating country in which to live, work, and play.
By studying in Chile through an internship, you may enjoy an opportunity not only to develop your professional knowledge and skills, but also to practice your Spanish and explore this interesting part of the world. Interning abroad in Chile may be a great way to enhance your career and embark on an exciting adventure.
Why Consider An Internship in Chile?
Chile is one of the more developed and stable countries in South America. It has well-developed industries in which you might work and learn as an intern. Through your program, you might intern for a company, a community organization, a local school, a trade union, or another type of organization in your field. Depending on your Internship in Chile program, you may learn about things such as local and international business, what it takes to improve communities, and how organizations protect workers and the environment. No matter your program, you may develop your professional acumen, knowledge, and experience. Best of all, you may also earn academic credit and cultivate yourself as a global citizen (with international connections!) These are just some of the many benefits of interning abroad in Chile.
What Might It Be Like to Live and Intern in Chile?
This depends, of course, on where you live and what type of internship you secure. You could, for example, spend your days in a modern office in a metropolitan area, a simple classroom in a more rural area, or the great outdoors in a national park. You could work with lots of people or a few people; in a busy atmosphere or a more laid-back one. It just depends on the program you choose and your location. Despite these potential differences in your daily experience, some things will likely be similar no matter what you do.
The Food: Chilean cuisine draws on a broad range of ingredients and flavors. However, there are some staple food and traditional dishes you’re likely to come across in Chile. Many dishes are made using meat (especially beef, pork, chicken, and seafood), rice, potatoes, cheese, and vegetables (especially corn, pumpkin, and onions). Some especially common spices include the red ají (a chili) and chancho en piedra (tomatoes, garlic, and onion ground together with a stone). Some beloved traditional dishes include:
- Bistec a la pobre: beef, french-fries, fried onions, and fried eggs, typically on top of the beef
- Carbonada: beef soup made with a variety of vegetables
- Empanada de pino: a pastry hand-pie made with minced meat, onions, raisins, olives, and a hardboiled egg. Empanadas may also be filled with cheese or vegetables
- Humitas: Seasoned ground corn cooked in corn husks
- Palta reina: a half an avocado filled with ham or tuna salad
These are just some of the scrumptious foods you might enjoy while you’re interning in Chile.
The Culture: Chile’s culture derives primarily from its Spanish and indigenous roots. Folk music is popular throughout the country (though varies from region to region) as are protest songs and resistance music. The visual arts are vibrant in Chile, and literature is beloved. Much of Chilean music, art, and literature tell the story of the country’s dynamic and challenging past, which you can learn further about in museums, galleries, and poems by nationally treasured authors. To enhance your experience of Chilean culture, consider:
- Reading the poetry of Pablo Neruda, a Nobel Prize Chilean poet
- Visiting the Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago
- Learning the history of the national dance, the cueca
The Sights: There are some beautiful sights to see and intriguing things to do in Chile. When you’re not working, or perhaps before or after your internship, consider the following:
- Visiting the Parque Nacional Torres del Paine in southern Chile. This national park boasts some of the country’s most picturesque views and hikes.
- Taking the teleférico (cable car) over and across Santiago. You can catch amazing views of the city and the Andes.
- Visiting Pablo Neruda’s three houses: La Chascona (in Santiago), La Sebastiana (in Valparaíso), and the museum (on Isla Negra).
- Observing the night sky of the southern hemisphere from any of Chile’s observatory’s.
- Cruising over to Tapati in Easter Island to surf and visit the Moai stone statues.
How Do I Find an Intern Abroad Program in Chile?
Just below you’ll find a list of Chile study abroad programs that emphasize internships. Browse through the Internship in Chile list to get a sense of the industries and organizations in which you might intern. You can also customize your search by industry or city. To learn more about any given program, click “Learn More.” This will direct you to program details, a form for contacting the program directly, and in some cases, program reviews and a list of comparative programs. Once you’ve found a program you like, jump right in! Your resume-enhancing adventure in Chile may await!
