Chile is one of Latin America's leading countries in terms of connectivity as well as the highest ranked Latin American country in competitiveness. Combine this with a strong and rapidly growing economy and political stability, and this makes Santiago, Chile an excellent location to experience hands-on work experience in a dynamic setting. Chile's allure can be attributed to many factors, not limited to incredible topography (mountains and beaches are equally accessible), a rich literary and cultural heritage, and the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen! Throughout the country, there are all kinds of topographical and natural treasures from the city parks in Santiago to the beaches, ski resorts, vineyards, deserts, and mountains to the stunning mountains of Patagonia. These natural wonders combined with Chile's rapidly growing and strong economy, make Chile and exciting place.
Agriculture and Veterinary Science
An agricultural or veterinary science internship abroad will provide hands-on experience as well as technical and practical knowledge. Attitudes and practices vary across cultures providing a global perspective in this field. Work at veterinary centers, zoos, and wildlife parks with a wide variety of animals like snakes, big cats, kangaroos, koalas, cats, dogs, and horses!
Architecture and Urban Planning
Architecture and urban planning internships expose you to the design and construction of buildings and urban areas in cultures that have different planning models than those at home. Gain technical skills and practical experience within the field, while providing exposure to new systems and styles. Participants interested in an architecture internship may need to submit a portfolio.
Arts and Humanities
Encompassing a wide range of academic fields including history, philosophy, cultural studies, and sociology among many others, internships in the arts and humanities allow you to explore career options across many business sectors and industries while refining professional interests and strengths. Internships in these fields tend to be multi-disciplinary allowing you to gain a robust set of skills and knowledge.
Business and Marketing
Internships in business fields include a wide range of companies across all industries-—from small start-ups to large multinational corporations. Interns can focus on a specific area within business such as economics, finance, or marketing. Business internships provide valuable experience in understanding regional trade practices, international economies, and global marketing strategies from a new cultural perspective.
Communication, Media, and PR
Understanding the cultural climate of the times and the ways to effectively navigate it is a valuable skill. Working alongside international colleagues and within a new culture helps shape your worldview and ability to more effectively communicate with a wider audience. Work in an array of industries as communications, media and, PR jobs span all industries.
Education
An internship abroad in education is a great way to prepare for a career as a teacher, administrator, or principal. You will be exposed to new educational structures, curriculum, and methods in a variety of educational environments. The experience provides future educators with an expanded cultural perspective and worldview to broaden their approach to education and be more successful educators in our increasingly diverse classrooms.
Engineering
You will work alongside professionals from around the globe from reputable companies, universities, and research organizations in the industry. Interning abroad promotes innovation, technical understanding, and interpersonal and cross-cultural communication, which are just some of the skills necessary to translate ideas and plans into reality for cultures that are different from our own.
Environmental and Sustainability Studies
An internship abroad in environmental studies or sustainability will expose you to some of the most diverse environments in the world. Working with scientists and business professionals, you will gain real-world experience while making a global impact. From placements in biology and ecology to those focusing on sustainable business practices and technology, you will work to solve some of today’s most pressing environmental issues.
Fashion
A fashion internship abroad is a great stepping stone into the industry. Get hands-on experience in a truly global industry, learning about new aesthetics and understanding how business-to-business transactions between suppliers and distributors come to be. Placements focus on design, merchandising, PR, e-commerce, or a combination thereof. Portfolios are required for those participants interested in fashion design.
Film and TV
With a film or television internship abroad, you have the opportunity to work at a variety of companies, providing you with hands-on experience at every step in pre-production, production, and post-production. Exploring the field from a new cultural context while learning best practices will be an invaluable career stepping stone. A portfolio may be requested.
Health
Health internships abroad provide opportunities to shadow professionals, participate in community outreach, and conduct research. Gain first-hand experience with diverse practices in health care systems across a range of specializations. You will leave with a new understanding of how culture influences the practice of medicine, providing you with valuable preparation for a career in the health field. Local language proficiency may be required.
Hospitality, Events, and Tourism
International internships in hospitality, events, and tourism provide you with a truly unique understanding of the field and an opportunity to learn about the industry through real world experiences. The field varies across cultures, settings, and clientele, instilling a global perspective into your future career. Plan weddings, lead wine tastings, or assist in hotel management as an intern!
IT and Computer Science
An IT or computer science internship abroad complements your formal education with practical work experience in one of the most globalized fields worldwide. It is a unique opportunity to refine career goals, develop a professional network, and learn how other parts of the world use technology. Internships in this field usually require proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Java, C++, Python, Ruby, etc.
Legal Studies and Advocacy
Law and advocacy internships include a range of opportunities working at law firms and policy and advocacy centers. Internships in this field provide an inside view of the host country’s legal system and an understanding of how the community navigates within that system. Apply your knowledge to a real-world setting and learn how law and justice work in practice. A writing sample may be requested.
Performing and Visual Arts
With a focus on specific areas such as graphic design, photography, music, dance, or theater, internships in the performing and visual arts give you the opportunity to learn what type of creative projects you will likely work on in a professional setting. Gain valuable insight into the creative process and have a chance to apply your knowledge, channel your inner creativity, and network with industry professionals. A portfolio may be requested.
Political Science
Whether you are interested in American politics, international relations, or public policy and advocacy, an internship abroad allows you to gain valuable insight into how government policies, political parties, city councils, or governmental agencies work. Experience firsthand how these political bodies work with and against one another in the local and global arena.
Psychology and Social Work
A psychology or social work internship helps you understand the complicated social challenges facing global communities while learning how professionals respond. Placements are often research based or involve observing professionals and assisting with various tasks at non-profits. An internship abroad provides the opportunity to connect and integrate theory and practice into a real world setting. A background check may be requested.
Research
Participating in research expands academic experience and enhances understanding of an academic field. A research placement provides the opportunity to join an on-going research project for a short period, helping you clarify academic, career and personal interests. Step in at various stages of the research process and engage in a quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods approach.
Science and Math
Participating in a science or math internship abroad is a great way to understand how research and problem-solving work in other locations, learn about different system models, and see how science and math work in a practical setting. Interning abroad is a great way to build soft skills, gain a better understanding of the larger field, and start considering interests for post-graduate study.
Sports and Exercise
A sport and exercise science internship gives you a comprehensive understanding of current systems and practices in the field as they vary across cultures. Often in this field, you will work as part of a larger team to build teamwork and cross-cultural communication skills. There is a wide range of placements available, from clinics and fitness centers, to sports teams, and research at universities. Complete a mandatory practicum abroad!
Santiago Highlights and Activities
Excursions and Cultural Activities
Your program will start with a multi-day orientation in Santiago where you will enjoy a city tour and other excursions as well as receive pertinent information about how to be most successful in your internship abroad. Throughout your program, you will have the chance to go on weekend trips, day trips, and optional trips. ISA excursions allow you to explore the timeless, quaint, and historical landscape of Chile (and potentially surrounding countries) that you may not have the chance to visit on your own. The locations below are a sample of included and optional excursions that have run in the past. Please know that these are subject to change.
San Cristobal Hill and Artisan Village
Students will soak up the massive city of Santiago with this private multi-stop driving tour that includes visits to historical sites and El Pueblito de Los Dominicos Artisan Village. In the city center, they will visit this 860-meter hill which features a zoo and wine museum at the midway point and a gondola ride to the top, where they will take in panoramic views of the urban and mountain landscape. Then they will visit the upscale neighborhood of Las Condes and stop at El Pueblito de Los Dominicos, a beautiful handicraft market in the shadow of the Andes designed to resemble a colonial village, where they will see local artisans actually working in their trade. The shops, built with clay and straw, are home to more than 180 artisans, representing the best and most complete showing of Chilean handicraft.
The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
An art museum dedicated to the study and display of pre-Columbian artworks and artifacts from Central and South America. The museum is located in the city center of Santiago. This museum seeks to inspire and captivate the public by connecting it with the indigenous roots of Chile and all of the Americas. The more than one thousand pieces on display celebrate the richness and diversity of Chile’s culture and include artistic works and other creations in textile, ceramic, metal, bone, leather, stone and other materials.
The Museum of Memory and Human Rights
Students will participate in a guided visit to this interesting a Chilean museum, dedicated to commemorate the victims of human rights violations during the regime led by Augusto Pinochet between 1973 and 1990. The Museum seeks to draw attention to human rights violations committed during the dictatorship. Its mission is to allow dignity for victims and their families, stimulate reflection and debate and to promote respect and tolerance in order that these events never happen again. Through objects, documents and archives presented in different settings and formats, as well as an innovative sight and sound presentation, students will learn about this part of Chile’s history. The archives’ patrimony includes oral and written testimonies, legal documents, letters, tales, literary production, press clips, visual and radio material, feature films, historical material and documentary photos. The Museum is a dynamic and interactive space that rescues Chile’s recent history which grows and reflects itself in a culture of respect for the dignity of individuals.
Housing Details
ISA Housing provides the opportunity for interns to experience aspects of the Chilean lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. The experience of living in another culture will be both educational and rewarding so long as you stay open-minded. There are many differences in culture and lifestyle between life in Chile and the U.S. Remember: the key to a positive experience is flexibility!
Applicants who do not have an intermediate level of Spanish or higher are required to live in apartments.
Home Share
Each homestay is carefully selected by the on-site staff and provides a great avenue for practicing the language of the host country at home and becoming more immersed in the local community. Interns will have their own room and internet access varies by host family. Three meals a day are provided seven days a week. Laundry is provided once a week. Applicants who have below an intermediate level of Spanish, as assessed through their advising session with their Program Manager, are required to live in an apartment.
Apartments
All apartments are fully furnished, have a fully-equipped kitchen and are centrally located or are conveniently located near public transit routes. Typically, participants will have their own room in a two-bedroom apartment with a shared bathroom and kitchen.
Why Intern in Santiago?
As one of the most prosperous Latin American cities, Santiago is buzzing with diversity. This can be attributed to the fact that 40% of the country’s population calls Santiago home and its status as a trendsetter in environmental research, eco-tourism, its rapidly growing economy, and political stability.
Internships in Santiago, Chile are managed on-site in conjunction with an ISA partner organization and participants in all career fields can intern in Santiago. However, there is a great demand for Engineering, Business and Marketing, Communications and Journalism, Environmental Studies, and Hospitality and Tourism interns. While internships are available in English, interning in Santiago offers the opportunity to practice professional Spanish language skills as well as support development and research in both social and environmental causes. Beginning level Spanish is required for those interns interested in working in health-related fields or any field requiring extensive interaction with the public.
Travel Visa Information
Participants must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months AFTER their expected departure date from Chile.
U.S. Citizens
Participants will enter the country on a tourist visa which they will obtain upon arrival to the airport in Santiago. The tourist visa is a stamp that is placed in passports by immigration which is valid for up to 90 days.
Non-U.S. Citizens
Please note that non-U.S. citizens should contact their Consulate to verify specific entry requirements. As these requirements vary based on citizenship, non-U.S. citizens may not be permitted to travel to Chile without a visa or outside of their visa dates. Also, visa fees for non-U.S. citizens may differ so please be sure to check specific Consulate's website for the most up to date information.
Note: Embassy and Consulate contact information is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the website of the Embassy or Consulate to verify information.
