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Chile

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Accommodations and Accessibility

Early planning is key. First, it’s important to know that options for accommodations vary by country, city, and university. This makes it important to share your requests for academic, mental health, diet, religious practices, housing, physical disabilities, and other accommodations early in the planning process. Connect with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor or with our Health, Safety and Wellness team at hsw@ifsa-butler.org as soon as possible.   

Accommodations. The information you share on your health and wellness and housing forms supports this process. After receiving these forms, our Health and Wellness team will follow up with you as needed to help you arrange accommodations you may need. 

Keep in mind that academic accommodations offered in the U.S. may not be available in the same form in Chile. Once you’ve arrived in Chili and have finalized your classes, you can finalize academic accommodations with your professors.  

Chilean law prohibits discrimination against people with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities. However, the State does not reliably enforce regulations outlined by law.  

Accessibility. Although the transportation system has improved in recent years, it typically does not provide efficient support for individuals with disabilities, specifically those with mobility needs. While there are limitations for some, Chile may still be an option for study abroad depending on your specific needs. Keep in mind that Valparaiso has hilly terrain that could challenge those with physical disabilities. We encourage you to research the area and consult IFSA staff. Planning is key!  

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Mental and Physical Health

Maintaining your mental and physical health while abroad is a priority, and we’re ready to help you plan to support both.  

Local care. As an IFSA student, you’ll receive support for disclosed health needs, and we can help you work with CISI Insurance to find local care. Students who are in therapy or counseling can choose to continue video calls with a home counselor or arrange to work with a mental health provider in Chile. 

Food and water. Chile introduced nutritional labels and dietary guidelines in 2016. City tap water is clean and safe to drink but should be avoided in rural areas. Chile has high standards for hygiene, but it’s important to give your stomach the time to adjust to local food and water.  

Sports and fitness. Check with your university about participating on a university team: PUC, UC, PUCV. Check with the IFSA team about CISI insurance coverage for injuries sustained during sports. Coverage is generally broad but there are exceptions for high-level competition. 

Students have access to gym facilities at the universities in both Santiago and Valparaiso. At PUCV, you can join the PUCV gym for free and take part in Zumba, Latin dance, yoga, and Taekwondo. Host families can also help students find options near home.  

While Latin Americans are passionate about soccer (football), there are also opportunities to kayak, surf, play tennis, run, bike, hike, and more! Avid outdoor runners, consider our Valparaiso program. The city has running paths along the beach with workout stations along the way. Your IFSA Enrollment Counselor and our staff in Chile can provide additional resources.  

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Faith Communities

Studying abroad will likely expose you to new religions and faith communities around the world. If you plan to practice your religion abroad, consider researching the religious diversity, customs, laws and places of worship in your host country and campus.  

Chile is accepting of religion, especially in diverse cities such as Santiago and Valparaiso. The Chilean constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Most of the country is Roman Catholic, although not all actively practices. According to recent census data, 55% of Chileans are Roman Catholics, 16% are Protestants. About 5% are Muslims, Jews, and Orthodox, and about 24% report having no religious affiliation. The Mapuche community— which accounts for 87% of indigenous citizens —continue to respect its traditional religious leaders (read more). Your Enrollment Counselor and our team in Chile can help you find worship centers near you.  

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Considerations for Women

There is a gender pay gap in Chile, but this issue is gaining steam, with several national initiatives in action to reduce the gap and to increase the number of female executives. Gender stereotyping still occurs. Chile’s first female president, Michele Bachelet, served from 2006 to 2010 and 2014 to 2018. Women made up nearly one-third of deputies and one-quarter of senators in the most recent 2021 elections, thanks to legislation that stipulates gender quotas in parliament. 

Machismo culture (masculine culture where men believe they hold dominant roles over women) begins at a young age. But women’s movements, foundations and cooperatives are working to remove this construct. Piropos (cat calling) is now less common toward women but still occurs, despite a 2019 law that set out to curtail it.  

Safety. By world standards, Chile is considered relatively safe. The most common crime is petty theft, and tourists can be targets. We’ll share tips to help you stay safe.  

Dress. Chileans are known for being stylish, but dress ranges from casual to chic, in class or out and about. Jeans are common year-round. More conservative dress is appropriate for religious sites.  

Dating. PDA between women and men is common. People live at home with their families until marriage. Early dating is quite casual.  

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Race and Ethnicity

According to the 2017 census, White and non-indigenous people make up 87.2% of the population, and the indigenous community make up 12.8%. Chile is historically influenced by European immigration. Connecting with local communities of color can help you deepen your experience abroad and stave off homesickness.  

For some students, national identity plays a more salient role while abroad than at home, and some are eager to learn more about their heritage. Locals might be curious about your political views and be direct about these topics. They might openly criticize the U.S. and its citizens. There might be stereotypes or even misconceptions about what an American “looks like.” If you are not perceived as White, locals might question your identity as an American. Common stereotypes relate to how U.S. culture is portrayed in popular TV and films. We encourage you to arrange a call with your Enrollment Counselor to help you plan for these experiences. 

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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The Chilean film, A Fantastic Woman, won an Oscar for its compelling portrayal of being transgender in Chile. 

While LGBTQIA+ Chileans are generally less open about their sexual orientation than most Americans, in recent years, tolerance and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals have increased in Chile. In 2015, Chile legalized civil unions between same-sex couples and passed antidiscrimination laws. Public displays of affection between same sexes are rare, and attitudes (especially those of Chilean men) toward this community are not very liberal, given most of Chilean society is Catholic and conservative. Santiago’s most gay-friendly neighborhoods are Bellavista and Lastarria.  

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More Support

From help managing money abroad to supporting first-generation college students, our professional advising staff and onsite teams are here for you. 

Student Perspectives

Read about living and learning in Chile: Student Stories.