Chile ... natural landscapes

      and supernatural beauty

     Chile's cities, whether located in the northern desert, the central valley, or the southern forests, have all the modern amenities, culture, character and creature comforts. Here you will find a rich history, cultural traditions, and lots of local colors.

      Chile's natural wonders include the Atacama Desert, Elqui Valley, and Patagonia's virgin forests. But Chile much more! Its historical and cultural inheritance handed down from its original indigenous inhabitants as well as its western European immigrants, is alive and vibrant in our cities, making them just as compelling for visitors as the natural landscapes.

     Santiago, the nation's capital, boasts museums, entertainment, as well as modern technological services.

      Other Chilean cities have much to offer as well. Iquique’s, architecture was influenced by British style and nitrate fortunes of yesteryear; La Serena has much well-preserved colonial architecture; Valparaíso, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is noted for its labyrinthine hills and poetry around every corner; Temuco, beats with its vibrant indigenous Mapuche heritage; and Valdivia still reveals the mark made by its German immigrants.   

     With a healthy and stable economy, Chile's large cities are both pleasant and cosmopolitan. Smaller towns are clearly in touch with the weather and their particular history, forming a diverse mosaic of lifestyles, customs, and even vocabulary.

Family Life

     South American families are very close knit, often consisting of several generations living in one house.  Aunts, uncles and grandparents often either live in the same house or very close by, and families spend a lot of time together.  It is very common for entire families and friend groups of several generations to celebrate special occasions together.  Young people commonly live under their parents' roof until they marry ... and even then may stay or live right next door.  Living with a South American host family will provide you with an instant extended family, with many relatives to take care of you and make you feel right at home.

School Life

There are seven years of primary school, followed by five secondary years.  The school year starts in early March and ends in late November or early December.  Students from North America and Europe will attend private schools, many of which are bi-lingual -- they teach classes in both English and Spanish.  There are also some tri-lingual schools that include German, Italian or Hebrew.  Nearly all private schools are International Baccalaureate approved in all of the languages.  In addition to challenging academic curricula, schools offer many other activities such as soccer, rugby, basketball, field hockey, theater, radio production and study, TV production and study, arts, dance and much more.

Click HERE to see a description of our South American Programs