Program Details

Develop Spanish language skills for health sciences through online and classroom learning, as well as cultural immersion and experiential learning activities in northern Chile.
Location:
Arica, Chile
Program Type:
Study Abroad
Degree Level:
Undergraduate
Term:
Summer, Winter Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

This program, aimed at students and professionals in health-related fields, offers resources for building Spanish language skills for ​​public health, with an emphasis on topics such as epidemiology, biostatistics, global health, environmental health, and mental health, among others.

This program will be delivered through a three-credit online course and a three-credit immersion course in Arica, Chile. The program will employ experiential learning opportunities and include lessons in grammar and vocabulary related to the program theme. Discussion sessions will provide opportunities to practice and develop Spanish language skills for use in medical contexts and other practical health care scenarios.

Northern Chile has a well-established network of professionals in medical and public health services. While in Arica, you will have opportunities to practice your Spanish through interactions with medical and public health professionals. You will also visit urban and rural health care centers in Arica and surrounding area.

You will spend several days in the rural area of Putre, in the Andean highlands, examining intercultural health care systems for the indigenous Aymara people and learning from conversations with rural health care workers.

In both Arica and Putre, you will be living with a host family, advancing your Spanish outside of the classroom.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Build Spanish language skills to prepare for a career as a health professional.
  • Develop and practice your language skills during field visits. (J-term)
  • Experience daily life with homestay families in Arica and Putre. (J-term)
  • Learn about traditional medicine and intercultural health practices.

This course offers three weeks of online study and three weeks abroad. The online course is open to all applicants with three semesters of college-level Spanish (or equivalent). The in-person J-term is open to college undergraduates who have completed the online term or who provide proof of completion (or the equivalent) of at least four semesters of college-level Spanish.

Cost:
Please visit our website.

Additional Program Information

Requirements:
3 semesters of college-level Spanish, students are recommended to complete SIT's summer online component first, or have the equivalent of 4 semesters of college-level Spanish when starting the J-term program.
Scholarships:
Yes
Scholarships Description:
Please see our website for more information.