Chile is a hidden gem in South America, often passed up for bigger countries around. As my good friend Daniel once said about Chile “she’s not the most glamorous like Argentina, or the most vibrant like Colombia but she’s a special country to me”. And I couldn't agree more - Chile’s charm builds with time and a study abroad semester with GW Chile is the perfect way to experience this wonderful country!
1. Everything, and anything - Chile has it all!!
2. After spending 3 semesters abroad with GW through the Global Bachelor’s Program, I can say that GW Chile is one of the best programs. It is small and intimate, allowing you to build connections with fellow GW students, while also giving you the space to branch out into the larger Chilean community.
3. Lise Anne - the wonderful and lovely program assistant is truly lovely and she makes everything about the transition into Chilean life easy. I would spend a semester abroad in Chile again just for her!!!
4. Nature!! Chile has everything - from the driest desert, to crystal blue lakes, the ice fields of Patagonia, wonderful beaches and more! It is the perfect place for nature enthusiasts, and those just exploring and wanting to try an outdoor activity - whether it be backpacking, surfing, skiing, biking, hiking, skydiving and more, Chile has it!
5. Living with a host family is truly a life changing experience - all of the host families are incredible, and my host mom Cecilia has become a second mom to me! I cannot recommend it more - this is what truly allows you to “break through” into Chilean culture, practice your Spanish (in a comfortable environment) and make meaningful connections with your host parents and siblings for life.
6. Out of all my exchanges, students have been the friendliest in Chile and are generally more than happy and open to becoming friends with us gringos! Take advantage of this and meet some chileno friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, ect. It might be difficult at first with the language barrier, but I promise once you break the ice you won’t regret it!!
7. Internship and work experiences are available. I worked with the English department at La Catolica (one of our partner schools) and it was incredibly meaningful! My boss became one of my best friends, and I hosted tutoring sessions for students in English, getting to meet so many wonderful people this way! Also it’s a unique experience to work in a bilingual work environment, and I could not recommend it enough!
8. Day to day life in Santiago is wonderful, with each “comuna” of the city having its own distinct vibe. All of us lived in Ñuñoa, a comuna filled with tree-lined streets, hidden cafes, and beautiful homes and is affectionately known as the “hippie” comuna of the city. I miss the mountain view from my bedroom window, the pomegranate trees outside campus, and my daily runs along the central canal.
9. Chile is an amazing place to push yourself outside of your comfort zone - the “Spanish” is a little more difficult here (affectionately known as chileno and not Spanish), Santiago is a big city with a lot to offer (but also a lot to navigate), and it’s quite different from other Latin American countries. But this is the fun with studying in Chile, and what makes it unique! Everyone in the program had moments that tested them (my weakest moment was the John Gardner’s Pass in Patagonia), but everyone can agree that Chile made us a more full version of ourselves and a more mature version as well that we are all proud of. There are so many wonderful things to explore - for me salsa dancing every weekend at Habana Salsa was my way of pushing myself and exploring! There is something for everyone in Santiago, and in Chile :)
10. It truly is the best! Tierno is the first Spanish word that comes to mind when I think of Chile, and my experiences there will forever be tucked into the corners of my corazón!
Isabella Rizzo
Spring 2024 – GW Chile - English Track (GW Study Program)
Fall 2023 – GW Paris - Sciences Po (GW Study Program)
Spring 2023 – GW Global Bachelor's Program - Asia-Pacific Semester
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs Major
The Global Bachelor’s Program