Academic Year and Semester Program
Noted among study abroad programs for its excellence in facilitating student engagement, the Santiago semester program begins with a three-week immersion prior to the academic semester that includes intensive Spanish classes, cultural activities and field trips in the rural part of Chile. This strong preparation program is consistently one of the best evaluated elements of the study abroad program as it gives the students the chance to experience a different reality of Chile, and helps them create strong bonds with the rest of the group before arriving in Santiago. The preparation program is organized and led by Cecilia Espinoza, Maryknoll lay missionary.
During their semester of studies at PUC in Santiago, students live with Chilean families and take up to five classes, typically taught in Spanish where Notre Dame students learn alongside Chilean students. In addition to their specific program classes, Notre Dame students enroll in a Spanish class and the course “Politics and Society” organized especially for them. Many students also choose to enroll in the course “Poverty and Development” at Universidad Alberto Hurtado. The course includes a significant service component and facilitates students’ experience of the socioeconomic differences in Chilean society. Program staff continually develop the service, learning, research, and internship opportunities for students who come to Chile. The outstanding student interest in this program reflects the reputation of the Chile program among our students and the potential for the program to increase the number of accepted students.
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Summer Programs
Santiago Summer: Literature & Theology
In the Santiago Summer Program, students will enroll in two courses: (1) God in Latin American Theology, and (2) Gabriela Mistral and Her World. Through these courses, students will be immersed in the language, culture and history of Chile, and will study the many literary and theological forces that have shaped and continue to shape the country and the Latin American region.
The courses will be taught under the light of current socio-political events happening in the country, including the feminist movement, the different political movements that appeared after the 2019 social outburst as well as the two Constitutional processes that occurred between 2020 and 2023, among many others.
Both courses will be taught in Spanish, contributing to the deep cultural, language and social immersion offered by the program. Cultural day trips within the Santiago Metropolitan area as well as 4-day long trips to the northern and southern parts of the country (La Serena and Villarrica, respectively) will be offered as a complement to the academic programming of the courses. This will give students the chance to explore the vast landscapes and historical beauty of Chile.
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Global Professional Experience
Notre Dame Global offers undergraduate students an international experiential learning opportunity to experience firsthand within an immersive environment how businesses and organizations operate in selected locations throughout the world. The Global Professional Experience Program places students with selected global and local companies and organizations in Asia (China, India, and Japan), Europe (Greece and the United Kingdom), and Latin America (Brazil and Chile).
This seven-week program includes three main components:
- A one-credit course offers an exploration of historic, social, and economic dimensions related to each of the program’s regions, in addition to providing a forum to reflect upon new international perspectives, inter-cultural knowledge, collaborative skills, integrative competencies, and career discernment.
- A one-week on-site orientation provided by Notre Dame's global locations and selected service providers. The on-site orientation helps students better understand the local cultures and includes cultural excursions and basic language training.
- A six-week placement within a business or organization that will provide students with professional experiences related to their academic and professional interests. Host businesses and organizations include media, startups, technology, healthcare, finance, NGOs, and think tanks, among other sectors.
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Global Research Experience Program
This one-credit, eight-week research experience program is an opportunity for students to engage in research in areas and themes on Poverty, Democracy, and Global Health. The program offers undergraduate students an international research learning opportunity to discover firsthand within an immersive environment in selected locations throughout the world. Participants will engage in hands-on research projects alongside local experts, gaining valuable insights and skills in their chosen field. This program not only fosters academic growth but also promotes cultural exchange and personal development, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of their subject in an international context. The Global Research Experience Program places students with selected organizations in Chile, Kenya, Mexico, and Taiwan.
This eight-week Global Research Experience program includes three main components:
- A one-credit course offers an exploration of historical, social, and economic dimensions related to each of the program’s regions, in addition to providing a forum to reflect upon new international perspectives, intercultural knowledge, collaborative skills, integrative competencies, and career discernment.
- On-site orientation will be provided by the Notre Dame Global locations and selected service providers. The on-site orientation helps students better understand the local cultures and includes cultural excursions and basic language training.
- Support from Notre Dame Global locations
- An eight-week placement within an organization that will provide students with research experiences related to their academic and professional interests.