Program Orientation, Excursions, and Activities

Upon the students’ arrival, the CASA staff facilitate a week-long orientation to ensure the students’ academic and social transition into Chilean culture. This is achieved through daily presentations and cultural, practical and academic events which are part of the Pro-Seminar course.

Excursions and activities outside of the classroom provide you with an opportunity to experience diverse aspects of the local society and culture, and to develop an appreciation for your host culture in ways otherwise difficult to obtain. 

The CASA Chile program and its activities are thoughtfully curated by the program staff and have been adapted through recommendations and suggestions of previous student participants. Some excursions and activities are required, while others are optional and may be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive an activities calendar in advance of the program start date and should avoid making personal travel arrangements that coincide with required program excursions and activities.

Excursions & Cultural Activities

Orientation

Prior to arriving in Santiago, CASA staff will conduct a virtual pre-departure orientation where you’ll meet the semester’s cohort and learn important details regarding the program. This will also provide an opportunity for you to ask any last-minute questions before arriving in Santiago. 

Once in Santiago, a comprehensive, week-long mandatory orientation program is delivered upon arrival and during the first weeks of the semester, to help you get acclimated to the local host culture. Required orientation activities may include walking tours of Santiago’s diverse neighborhoods, such as Patronato, Barrio Lastarria, Bellas Artes, Barrio Yungay, and Santiago’s historic city center, as well as of the local universities; navigating the public transportation system; learning important health, safety, and emergency information; as well as other important details around academic culture and preparing for daily life in Santiago.

Overnight Trips

Captura%20de%20pantalla%202024-11-28%20095826 The CASA-Chile program includes a four-day trip to the Patagonia, where students will have the opportunity to experience the regional culture and history, expanding their appreciation of and exposure of central Chile.

Additionally, students enjoy a four-day trip to the Atacama Desert, Chile, the most arid desert in the world. Students will visit geysers, the Atacama Salt Flats and the Chaxa Lagoon, home to flamingos and other bird species. They will also visit the Valle de la Luna and Valle de la Muerte.

Both trips are included in the program fee.

Cultural Activities and Excursions

IMG_8969%281%29 Cultural activities are an integral part of any study abroad experience, as they allow you to engage with the local community, while deepening your understanding of local society and culture. Active student participation is expected in all program activities as they are considered a critical part of the overall learning experience. 

CASA-Chile organizes local excursions that offer students the opportunity to expand their cultural knowledge on various topics.

With the collaboration of specialized professors, students will analyze relevant aspects of history, art, the environment, and society in Chile.

In addition to full-day trips to Valparaíso and Isla Negra outside of Santiago, possible local trips around the city might include:

Villa Grimaldi and/or el Museo de la Memoria – Military Dictatorship
The Center for Mapuche Culture in La Pintana – Indigenous Culture
El Mercado Central and La Vega – Gastronomy
Barrio Patronato – Ethnic and Racial Diversity in Santiago
Plaza de Armas, Catedral de Santiago, and La Moneda – Historical Sites
Local Theater Productions

Additionally, a series of mandatory activities and excursions are integrated into the CASA Chile Pro-Seminar throughout the semester. These activities offer students the opportunity to expand their cultural knowledge through collaboration with professors and other specialists. Relevant aspects of Chilean culture and history are analyzed and discussed, providing you with an in-depth knowledge that goes beyond the classroom.